Droit du sport
Un cabinet de droit du sport de renommée mondiale
Kellerhals Carrard est l'un des cabinets d'avocats les plus spécialisés dans le domaine du sport au monde. Ses activités couvrent tous les domaines du droit du sport, y compris les litiges et les affaires commerciales. Le cabinet et ses avocats sont régulièrement classés comme leaders dans le domaine du droit du sport dans les annuaires juridiques internationaux (Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, Leaders League, Lexology Index).
Les litiges
Le cabinet possède une expérience inégalée dans la résolution des litiges sportifs et est largement considéré comme le cabinet prééminent et le plus actif devant le Tribunal arbitral du sport (TAS), en particulier dans les domaines du football, de la réglementation et de la lutte contre le dopage. Le cabinet est particulièrement qualifié pour agir devant le TAS, car il combine une expertise dans le droit procédural applicable au TAS (droit suisse) avec des avocats expérimentés dont la langue maternelle est l'une des langues officielles du TAS (anglais, français, espagnol).
Commercial et réglementaire
Kellerhals Carrard possède une expertise unique dans le domaine de l'administration du sport, avec des décennies d'expérience dans le conseil aux plus grandes organisations et équipes sportives du monde, ainsi qu'aux particuliers, sur leurs programmes commerciaux (accords avec les villes hôtes, sponsoring, médias, promotion et marketing, licences, diffusion, investissements, droits d'image, etc.) et sur leurs questions de réglementation et de gouvernance.
- ‘Kellerhals Carrard has superior analytical skills and efficiency. The lawyers are available, responsive, intelligent and friendly.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘Kellerhals Carrard has a world-leading sports regulatory team. It has deep knowledge of the CAS and jurisprudence combined with tactical acumen and an outstanding work ethic across the team.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘David Casserly's level of detail and ability to perform under pressure are outstanding. He is one of the best professionals I have met in any industry.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘David Casserly is one of the world's leading lawyers in his field and a valued confidant for our organisation on strategic matters.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘Jean-Pierre Morand is a pleasure to work with.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden has a very cool head, and his judgement is excellent. He is also diligent and responsive.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden is a reliable and highly skilled lawyer.’ Chambers Europe 2025
- ‘The Kellerhals Carrard sports law team has unmatched experience of representing institutional clients before CAS. They also have the rare combination of Swiss lawyers specialised in sports law together with multiple native English-speaking sports law advocates. Their anti-doping practice is led by Nicolas Zbinden who is a world class practitioner in this area.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden is our main external counsel for all anti-doping arbitration. In addition to all the things one takes for granted at this level (diligence, responsiveness etc.), he has unwavering judgement and integrity as well as unparalleled experience of the latest issues and case law in anti-doping.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘All lawyers have a deep knowledge. They have a proven track record in every issue related to sports, particularly football. They communicate clearly and succinctly, and their internal processes ensure the greatest efficiency and effectiveness for their clients.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘David Casserly's knowledge in football is outstanding. His strategic way of thinking makes him an extremely effective lawyer who, in addition, has a great power of persuasion.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘KC have some of the world's best anti-doping lawyers in particular. David Casserly, Nicolas Zbinden and Louise Reilly especially are leaders in the field and the go-to for top sports bodies in major cases.’ Legal500 2025
- ‘David is extremely intelligent and smart. The way he approaches complex legal matters is quite unique, and that makes him exceptional. In litigation and particularly in cross-examination he is feared.’ Chambers Europe 2024
- ‘David is a world-leading sports disputes lawyer with outstanding technical and strategic skills and attention to detail, and is a supreme orator and communicator.’ Chambers Europe 2024
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden has an outstanding ability to see the bigger picture and repeatedly delivers high-quality work.’ Chambers Europe 2024
- ‘A leading firm in sports law matters with a wide range of knowledge in sports regulations, in particular with regard to football matters. Always up to date and with a very important network in sports related entities.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘Strongly professional, always available, and able to address all types of problems irrespective of its dimension/complexity. Client driven and with a well-prepared team with deep knowledge in different fields of specialization. A firm that you can trust and rely on, and which delivers honest results.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘Their sports law team had worked together for many years which makes them a value to any club especially because they can address side issues in other fields of law with their colleagues within the firm. The client can be assured that its matters will be taken care in the same place and by and by professionals of similar quality.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘Mr. David Casserly SC is without a doubt one of the best, if not the best, lawyer in sports law. His career speaks for itself, representing the biggest clubs and federations in the world. His unique ability to organize and his systematically thinking means that clients can entrust him with the most diverse and complex cases. For some years now Mr. Casserly has been assisted by a younger but no less competent lawyer, Mr. Anton Sotir and nowadays he is also the one who deals with various club matters.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘A highly efficient team led by David Casserly SC. A thorough understanding of the workings of the sport courts. Advanced legal skills. Lethal accuracy. Great ability to call on the best professionals in other fields and abroad.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘David Casserly SC is a great professional. Sharp, competent, tenacious. Excellent intuitive skills. Outstanding litigator. A master. Adam Taylor and Anton Sotir, who work alongside David, are invaluable helpers, contributing to the team's great efficiency. Competent and responsive.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘Edgard Philippin is a tremendous expert in Swiss law.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘I worked primarily with Nicolas Zbinden and the team of lawyers working for him in the anti-doping space. Nicolas is one of the most experienced anti-doping lawyers in the world having acted, for many years, for WADA, World Athletics, IWF and many other international federations. His technical expertise in anti-doping matters is truly first class. I also trust his strategic judgement implicitly.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘What separates Kellerhals Carrard from other sports law practices is the industry experience of the various members of the team. Their lawyers have held and continue to hold senior positions within international sports bodies. In addition, the fact that Kellerhals Carrard, as a Swiss law firm, has various English-speaking barristers is a significant asset.’ Legal500 2024
- ‘Jean-Pierre Morand is noted as a "standout advocate" whose expertise in anti-doping matters is particularly highlighted.’ Lexology Index 2024
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden is variously highlighted as "patient, creative, professional and reliable" by impressed sources, who comment that he "represents his clients with full dedication".’ Lexology Index 2024
- ‘Top-tier sports practitioner David Casserly is widely known in the sports industry, especially for his football expertise, with sources nothing that "he's frequently seen in many sports proceedings" and is invariably "brilliant".’ Lexology Index 2024
- ‘Philippe Fresard is a well-established name in Swiss sports law thanks to his expertise across the spectrum of football-related matters.’ Lexology Index 2024
- ‘Nicolas is a very strong and experienced arbitrator.’ Chambers Europe 2023
- ‘David Casserly's technical expertise is only matched by his strategic insight.’ Chambers Europe 2023
- ‘Jean-Pierre Morand is a very strong and leading lawyer.’ Chambers Europe 2023
- ‘David Casserly maintains a highly eminent practice, with particular expertise acting for prominent football clubs before the CAS. A pleased source mentions that he has "knowledge and expertise in the subject matter," further praising "his profound understanding of the CAS system".’ Chambers Europe 2022
- ‘The sports law team at Kellerhals Carrard is very versatile and resourceful and that is what make them unique. Adding it to their availability for the client along with their capability of making up different strategies, this firm is a true problem solver. The level of their knowledge in sports law related matters is high and their experience in litigation is superior.’ Legal500 2022
- ‘The Kellerhals Carrard sports team is unique in terms of its expertise acting on behalf of international sports organisations. It has depth and extensive experience in sports law.’ Legal500 2022
- ‘David Casserly is by far the best lawyer I have worked with. He is very well organised, thinks quickly and is very thoughtful and balanced. Further, when it comes to arbitration, he is a true counsel that you can always count on.’ Legal500 2022
- ‘As strong on strategy as he is on the law, David Casserly is our go-to for disputes in particular.’ Legal500 2022
- ‘Nicolas Zbinden is an emerging star in regulatory disputes, in particular anti-doping.’ Legal500 2022
- ‘David Casserly represents football clubs and players in contentious and non-contentious sports mandates, including player transfers and disciplinary proceedings. Sources applaud his expertise in this field, with one client remarking: "He is the lawyer to hire if you want to give yourself the best possible chance to win a case."’ Chambers Europe 2021
- ‘Sources are full of praise for Jean-Pierre Morand , with one interviewee referring to him as "one of the top lawyers" in Switzerland. He is best recognised for his expertise in anti-doping cases, most notably acting for governing bodies and federations.’ Chambers Europe 2021
Expérience
Le groupe Droit du Sport de l'Étude comprend plusieurs associés and avocats dont l'activité se concentre exclusivement ou majoritairement sur le droit du sport. Une grande partie de son expertise et expérience a été acquise au travers des différentes positions que ses membres ont occupées, soit notamment:
- Secrétaire Général du TAS
- Cinq arbitres du TAS
- Deux médiateurs du TAS
- Conseiller juridique du TAS
- Conseiller responsable de la médiation au TAS
- Président de la Commission disciplinaire de l'Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
- Inspecteur d'éthique et de discipline de l'UEFA
- Conseiller juridique auprès d'une association nationale de football
- Deux conseillers juridiques auprès du Département du Statut du Joueur de la FIFA
- Juge disciplinaire auprès de la Swiss Football League
- Vice-Président de la Commission disciplinaire de l'Association Olympique Suisse en charge de cas de dopage
- Vice-Président du Comité disciplinaire anti-dopage irlandais
- Directeur juridique et adjoint d'une agence de marketing sportif, active dans le ski, le tennis, le golf et le cyclisme
- Secrétaire général d'une association d'équipementiers sportifs
- Vice-Président de la Fédération Suisse de Ski
- Conseiller juridique pour une marque de luxe qui sponsorise des évènements et athlètes actifs dans le golf, le tennis et l'équitation
- General Counsel et membre du Comité Directeur de Ferrari S.p.A.
- Conseiller juridique de l'écurie de formule 1 Scuderia Ferrari
- Président de la Commission d'arbitrage de la Coupe de l'America
- Membre de l'Appeal Panel de l'Euroleague Basketball
- Membre du Comité éthique de la Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)
- Responsable des affaires juridiques d'une grande agence internationale de marketing sportif
- Président d'un club de hockey sur glace professionnel
L'Étude a un large éventail de clients, incluant des institutions multisports (telles que le Comité International Olympique et l'Agence Mondiale Antidopage), des Fédérations Internationales, des Organisations Nationales Antidopage, des comités nationaux olympiques, des écuries et pilotes automobiles, ainsi qu'un grand nombre de clients dans le milieu du football, incluant fédérations, clubs, joueurs, agents et fonds d'investissement.
Contacts
Lausanne
Adam TaylorAdrian VeserCharles MicheliChristopher NsekaDavid BakerDavid Casserly SCDavid GinolinDr. Vincent JäggiFrançois KaiserJean-Philippe RochatJean-Pierre MorandLoïc TheilkaesLouise Reilly SCMario Flores ChemorNicolas ZbindenRiccardo CoppaRobert Kerslake
Lugano
Alberto GalliAndrea FioravantiEmanuela MediciFranco GaglianoGiulio SannitzLorenza FerroMassimiliano MaestrettiPriscilla ZanettiProf. Dr. Henry PeterRomolo PawlowskiStefano Perucchi
Zurich
Gstaad
Autres publications
News
Publications scientifiques
2022
"Arbitration in the 36th America's Cup", Wolters Kluwer Law, 2022, 820 pages
Prof. Dr. Henry Peter2019
"Le TF redéfinit les limites de l'autonomie des règles de jeu, Examen critique de l'ATF 145 IV 154" Commentaire de l'arrêt du Tribunal fédéral du 5 mars 2019 rendu dans la cause 6B_52/2019, septembre 2019. Co-Author: Vincent Jäggi
Prof. Dr. Henry Peter2017
"Gouvernance sportive: le système du fair-play financier de l'UEFA est-il correctement conceptualisé", in Mélanges en l'honneur de la Professeure Margareta Baddeley, (éds. Audrey Leuba, Marie-Laure Papaux von Delden, Bénédict Foëx), Schulthess 2017, pp. 429 à 457. Co-Author: Jeanne Arn
Prof. Dr. Henry Peter2015
"Dispute Resolution in the 34th America’s Cup", The Hague/London/New York (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business), 2015, 833 pages
Prof. Dr. Henry Peter2015
"Dispute Resolution in the 34th America’s Cup", The Hague/London/New York (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business), 2015, 833 pages. PETER Henry (éd). Co-Authors: David Tillett, John Doer, Josje Hofland, Graham McKenzie, Hamish Ross, Bryan Willis
Prof. Dr. Henry PeterClassements & distinctions
Conférences
2018
« International Investment Treaty and Sports Arbitration » (panel)
Prof. Dr. Edgar Philippin2002