Legal Commission and Legal Chamber continue joint work on improving good governance

The members of the European Legal Commission (ELC) as well as of the Legal Chamber came together on Friday at the home of European Volleyball in Luxembourg for their first in-person meetings of the 2024-2028 term. 

The Legal Commission addressed a variety of topics in an effort to improve and develop the CEV legal framework even further. The discussions were prepared by the members through working groups organised in advance of the plenary meeting.

An area of priority was the finalisation of the CEV Good Governance Code, whose primary aim is to improve and safeguard good governance in European Volleyball, thereby further enhancing the standards currently in place across the CEV governing institutions. 

Moreover, the ELC worked on reviewing the provisions of a law introduced in Luxembourg specifically for non-profit organisations and the necessary changes and adjustments that these imply for the CEV legal framework. The aim is to guarantee consistency and eliminate any possible discrepancies within the given timeframe, while seizing this opportunity to clarify some other discrepancies within the legal framework. The finalised proposal will be forwarded to the Working Group on Good Governance that has been established by the CEV leadership.

Furthermore, a review of the CEV Disciplinary Regulations was completed to give the deciding body more flexibility and clarity when taking their decisions and by making the process more transparent to all involved parties. Some points will have to be discussed and adapted in close collaboration with FIVB to develop and improve the disciplinary procedures while strengthening and shortening the time required for the processing of such procedures, without minimising the rights of the involved parties. 

The ELC also reviewed the procedures for the establishment and election of the new Athletes’ Commission and will provide a proposal to the CEV Board of Administration so that this Commission due to advocate the voice of all players from across Europe is able to start their work by the end of 2025. 

Finally, important changes to the CEV Competitions Regulations were discussed and forwarded to the Board for their approval.

The Legal Chamber chaired by Laurent Moreuil had their first such in-person meeting as well, thereby welcoming a new member to the group. The meeting was an opportunity to address and discuss several important topics in order to improve and develop the procedures followed in reviewing and processing financial disputes.

The meeting focused on critical areas such as a new system in the allocation of financial disputes specifically designed to expedite the whole procedure. The conversation revolved around the cases handled this far and the difficulties the Legal Chamber members have found in practice, so as to align the CEV jurisprudence. The discussion opened on juridical topics in the Legal Chamber activity both as an arbitrator in financial disputes and as a disciplinary body as well, while there was extended conversations on disciplinary rules and proceedings.

Furthermore, the Legal Chamber examined the proposals of the European Legal Commission (ELC) relevant to their activities, starting with the Good Governance Code which seeks to strengthen the CEV’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical practices across all levels of European Volleyball. The proposed changes to the CEV Disciplinary Regulations, and proposed amendments and new wording for articles were reviewed as well. These changes are designed to provide greater clarity and effectiveness, thereby ensuring fair play and the maintenance of the highest level of integrity within the sport.

Friday’s programme included a joint meeting with the members of the CEV Legal Chamber, where proposals for the new CEV Good Governance Code and the role of the Legal Chamber in this process were reviewed. An agreement was reached on the final wording of such code and the procedures and roles defined for the Legal Chamber in supporting CEV to uphold good governance standards.

Another important topic was the proposed changes to the CEV Disciplinary Regulations, as such changes would affect directly the work of the Legal Chamber as the competent body for all disciplinary cases. The workload on financial disputes was also discussed and proposals were made – these are to be discussed further with the FIVB – to unify and adapt the provisions about financial disputes, in order to accelerate their resolution. 

As a result, a common understanding of the new CEV Good Governance Code and proposals for changes to the CEV Disciplinary Regulations were agreed upon, which will help develop and improve the CEV legal framework in the interest of all stakeholders and of European Volleyball as a whole.