Written question asked by Lord Williams of Elvel (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Garden of Frognal (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 2 November 2010.

International Cricket Council

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Kingdom courts have any jurisdiction over decisions by the International Cricket Council which affect United Kingdom citizens.

Answer: A UK court would not ordinarily interfere in the regulatory matters of an international, non-UK based sporting federation. Appeals against decisions of a federation are often resolved by arbitration. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an international arbitration body set up to settle disputes related to sport. Its arbitrators are all high-level jurists and the CAS is generally held in high regard in the international sports community. However, there are circumstances where a UK court might consider such a matter; for example where the relevant contract or instrument that set up the particular body provides that a matter should be heard by a UK court.

Secondary information