The period 2010-2012 represents a significant turning point in the development of the EHF internal legal system.
In 2010, at the Congress in Copenhagen, a motion proposing the implementation of a new legal system was adopted. The creation of the EHF Court of Appeal as well as the modification of the competence and name of the former first instance body consecrated a two-instance level internal legal system.
Finally, the EHF Court of Arbitration would now act as an external and independent body upon exhaustion of the internal legal remedies or when privately requested by handball stakeholders.
In 2011, at the Congress in Cologne, this new legal system entered into force. Seven members were voted on to the Court of Appeal and a new set of regulations was adopted, the EHF Legal Regulations, the EHF List of Penalties and the EHF Catalogue of Administrative Sanctions.
Finally, in 2012, at the Congress in Monte Carlo, general elections took place for all these bodies. The end of the present term of office coincides not only with the 25th EHF Anniversary but also with the end of the first period of implementation of this modern system.
Rather than a revolution, the new legal system must be regarded as a logical step forward within the on-going evolution of our sport. There is a clear need for an efficient, quick and fair administration of justice in a modern organisation such as ours.
Throughout this first period of implementation comprised between July 2011 and June 2016, about 220 decisions have been rendered by the Court of Handball and the Court of Appeal.
Beyond these figures, the EHF now has a sound, dynamic and reliable legal system for its stakeholders; in other words, it mirrors the kind of organisation the EHF is.