02 May

St Philips Barrister appointed to the National Child Safeguarding Panel

Blondel Thompson, a specialist crime and sports law barrister has been appointed as an Arbitrator Judge to the National Child Safeguarding Panel on Thursday 26^th April 2012.

As a former British and Commonwealth 100 metre hurdles Record Holder, it was inevitable that Blondel would try to merge her experience of high level sport with the legal skills she has developed in her professional career as a criminal barrister.

The Child Safeguarding Panel will be able to refer disciplinary cases which carry a high threshold of risk to children and also where there is a risk of damage to the reputation of a sport. The national panel is to be led by Stephen Bellamy QC, who said "All too often the needs of the children and young people get lost in a dispute process. The panel intends to establish a set of procedural rules and guidance which are directed towards the needs and welfare of children, whilst also ensuring the rights of individuals to be treated fairly".

Blondel Thompson has been instructed by Sport Resolutions since 2001 and is a member of the following prestigious panels:

In 1998 she became a Panel member for the Disciplinary Tribunals of UK Athletics, 2010 Blondel was appointed as arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport, (based in Lausanne Switzerland). She is also a Panel member for the Inns of Court from which Disciplinary Tribunals of the Bar are drawn.

Appointed as Chairwoman in 2001 for The Football Association Appeals Board, that was extended in 2005 by Sports Resolutions to other areas such as Swimming, Anti-Doping, Child Protection and the Illegibility Appeal involving Sports Council Recognition of a sport.