Towards the Finish Line! Top 8 Teams Reach SLAM 2025 Grand Finals

The Round of 16 of the 6th Edition of the Sports Law Arbitration Moot (“SLAM 2025”) has now concluded. It saw exemplary performances from all participating teams who demonstrated remarkable skill and dedication. The final 8 teams have now been confirmed and move onto the quarter-finals, and will contend for the title of SLAM 2025 champions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (“CAS”) in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 10-11 April 2025.

All of the judges across the Round of 16 made great efforts to stress that each team, regardless of the outcome, demonstrated outstanding skills and commitment, contributing to the vibrant spirit of the competition.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals promise thrilling matchups as the final 8 teams contend for the title of SLAM 2025 champions at the CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 10-11 April 2025.

The universities whose teams have advanced to the in-person quarter-finals are:

Ghent University (Belgium)
O.P Jindal Global University (India)
O REI Sports Law Institute (Spain)
Singapore Management University (Singapore)
University of Chicago (USA)
University Sorbonne Paris Nord-Kollegio IDEF (Greece)

In recognition of their outstanding achievements, the winning team will receive a prize of £1,500, with £1,000 awarded to the runners-up.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the dedication of our esteemed panel of judges:

Alain Zahlan de Cayetti, Founding Partner, DeCayetti
Anna Bourdigova, Arbitrator, Court of Arbitration for Sport
Blondel Thompson, Barrister, St Philips Chambers
Dan Visoiu, Founding Partner, Visoiu Law Firm
Daniel Cravo Souza, Partner, Cravo, Pastl and Balbuena Associated Attorneys
Dr Jakub Laskowski, Director of Legal & Sport Administration, Legia Warszawa
Elle Nikou Madalin, CAS Arbitrator & Barrister
Espen Auberg, Partner, Advokatfirmaet Nova DA
Janie Soublière, Principal, Soubliere Sports Law
Jens Evald, Professor, dr.jur., Aarhus University
Jonathan Hall, General Counsel & Company Secretary, International Cricket Council
Jordi López Batet, Partner, Statim Legal
Laura Abrahamson, Arbitrator and Referee/Special Master, JAMS
Leanne O'Leary, CAS Arbitrator
Maciej Balazinski, Owner, Kancelaria Prawna Maciej Bałaziński I Współpracownicy
Martin Schimke, Of Counsel, Bird & Bird
Namrata Chatterjee, League Secretary, Indian Super League
Ricardo de Buen, Founder & Managing Partner, de Buen Rodríguez Abogados, S.C
Simon Bai, Managing partner, Grandall Law Firm
Takuya Yamazki, Founder & Managing Partner, Field-R Law
Thi My Dung Nguyen, Deputy Director General, PVF Football Academy
Vladimir Novak, Antitrust & FDI Associate, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Yoshihisa Hayakawa, Professor of Law, Rikkyo University

The SLAM 2025 Organising Committee extends their appreciation to all the teams that participated in these highly competitive rounds. It was repeatedly remarked on by the judges and clerks that the standard is rising year-on-year making it a welcomed but difficult challenge to judge each round.

For updates on the competition's progress, visit our announcement page and social media channels.