Anti-Doping Law is the most critical and strictest area of sports law. An Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) often means the end of an athlete's career. This field is regulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, which is mandatory for all international federations and national anti-doping agencies (including GADA in Georgia). Anti-doping disputes are specific: the principle of "Strict Liability" applies, meaning the athlete is responsible for any substance found in their body, regardless of intent. Qualified legal assistance is essential for an athlete to prove "negligence" or "no significant fault" and reduce the sanction.
What Does the Anti-Doping Law Service Cover?
Our service provides full protection during the doping control process:
- Results Management: Developing a legal strategy after an adverse analytical finding (A-sample) and attending the B-sample opening.
- TUE Applications: Legal oversight of the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application process.
- Hearing Representation: Defending the athlete before GADA or international federation disciplinary panels.
- CAS Appeals: Appealing disciplinary decisions to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
- Whereabouts Failures: Appealing sanctions imposed for missed tests or filing failures in the ADAMS system.
Real-World Situations When You Need This Service
A doping scandal can happen at any time:
- Contaminated Supplement: An athlete took a vitamin containing a prohibited substance not listed on the label. The lawyer sends the supplement to a lab to prove contamination and reduce the ban.
- Missed Test: A doping officer couldn't find the athlete at the specified location. Three such instances lead to a ban. The lawyer challenges procedural errors by the officer.
- Medical Treatment: A doctor prescribed medication containing a banned substance. A retroactive TUE request is needed.
Georgian Legal Framework
Anti-doping regulations in Georgia are based on the "UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport" and the Code of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency, which fully complies with the WADA 2021 Code. The "Criminal Code of Georgia" (Article 255¹) also applies, prohibiting the distribution of doping and administration to minors.
Process: How a Specialist Works
The defense process lies at the intersection of science and law:
- Investigation: Establishing the source of the substance (how it entered the body).
- Argumentation: Gathering evidence that the athlete did not intend to enhance performance (No Significant Fault).
- Procedure: Checking the Laboratory Documentation Package for errors.
Why Legal.ge?
Legal.ge offers lawyers experienced in working with the WADA Code. In doping cases, time and details are crucial. We will help you protect your reputation and career from unfair accusations.
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