I am very pleased to welcome this book by Ian Blackshaw, a widely
experienced and recognised International Sports Lawyer, on the
extra-judicial settlement of sports disputes through mediation. This
process is proving to be an effective alternative form of settling
disputes in general and those related to sport in particular. Its
growing importance in the sporting arena has been recognised and
reflected by the introduction in 1999 of a Mediation Service by the
Court of Arbitration for Sport. As the author points out, mediation can
be used successfully in a wide range of sports disputes, including an
increasing number of commercial and financial ones.
Butitseffectivenessdependsonthewillingnessofthepartiesindisputetocomp-
mise and reach creative and amicable solutions in their own interests
and also those of sport. Thisbookwill, Iamsure,
quicklyestablishitselfandprovetobeausefultoolforall those wishing to
learn about and take full advantage of this modern, flexible and
effective way of resolving sports disputes, at the national and
international levels, as sport continues to develop and expand globall