Disputes under a Premier League manager's contract of employment are decided by the Managers' Arbitration Tribunal, seated in England and Wales and applying English law.
What the tribunal covers
This process is for disputes arising between the parties to a manager's contract of employment. The usual tribunal has three arbitrators, although the parties can agree to use a single arbitrator instead if that person meets the chair's qualification requirements and performs the chair's functions.
Before arbitration starts, the parties are encouraged to try to settle the dispute, including by a pre-action meeting. The arbitration is treated as begun once the party bringing the case serves a request in Form 25 on the other party and copies it to the board and the chair of the Judicial Panel.
Procedure and deadlines
These are the key procedural stages.
| Step | Who acts | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Request for arbitration served | The party bringing the dispute | Service of Form 25 is the deemed start of the arbitration |
| Each side names its own arbitrator | Each party, by notice in Form 26 | 14 days from the request |
| Third arbitrator appointed to chair the tribunal | The two party-appointed arbitrators | 14 days from their own appointment |
| Directions given, or a preliminary meeting called on Form 28 | The chair | 14 days from the chair's appointment |
| Hearing | The chair fixes the date, time and place | No earlier than 42 days after the deemed start |
| Request for an anonymised or redacted decision | Either party | five days from notification of the decision |
How the arbitrators are chosen
Each party appoints one arbitrator by notice in Form 26. That appointee must be independent of the appointing party, capable of reaching an impartial decision, and be a solicitor or barrister with at least five years' post-qualification experience, with no disqualifying event applying.
The third arbitrator, who acts as chair, is chosen by the two party-appointed arbitrators. The chair must also be independent of the parties and capable of reaching an impartial decision, and must be either a solicitor admitted for at least 10 years or a barrister of at least 10 years' call.
If a party refuses or fails to appoint its arbitrator, or if the two party-appointed arbitrators cannot agree on the third, the chair of the Judicial Panel makes the appointment and sends written notice to each party, copied to the board.
Directions, hearing and available orders
The chair settles all procedural and evidential questions. Within 14 days of appointment, the chair either gives written directions for the arbitration or serves Form 28 requiring the parties to attend a preliminary meeting where directions are given.
A hearing cannot be held until 42 days after the arbitration is deemed to have started, leaving time for the parties to meet their obligation to try mediation. The chair fixes the date, time and place, gives reasonable notice, and a representative of the board may attend as an observer.
The tribunal cannot order specific performance of the contract. It can order the registration of the manager's contract of employment to be cancelled, make any other order it thinks fit, and make a costs order including fixing the amount.
FAQ
What happens when a manager is sacked and disputes it?
As long as the dispute arises under the manager's contract of employment, a party can bring it before the Managers' Arbitration Tribunal. The arbitration starts when that party serves a request in Form 25 on the other side, not on the day the hearing opens.
How many arbitrators sit on the tribunal?
The ordinary position is a three-person tribunal. The parties can agree on a single arbitrator, but only if that person meets the chair's qualification requirements and carries out the chair's duties.
Is the arbitration public?
No. The arbitration is confidential and held in private, even though the decision is usually published on the league website unless the parties agree otherwise.
Can the published decision be anonymised or redacted?
Yes, in a defined set of situations. A party may apply within five days of notification if the decision contains medically sensitive information, confidential safeguarding material, or commercially sensitive information.
When does the league receive the decision?
A copy of any decision must reach the league within 24 hours of the decision being made. That timing is separate from the process for asking for an anonymised or redacted version.