2011 was an interesting sporting year from a legal perspective. Thomas Eggar have picked out what they consider to be the five most significant cases and trends of 2011. 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month reduced the ban imposed on American tennis player Robert Kendrick from one year to eight months following an appeal by the player.

Kendrick tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine following the French Open in May. His case on appeal was that the substance was contained within medication he consumed to combat jetlag.

The multi million pound sponsorship and naming rights deal just announced between Manchester City and Etihad Airways has raised the issue of clubs seeking ways to circumvent the Financial Fair Play Regulations (FFP), which are due to be phased in by UEFA during the 2011/2012 season. It also provides an interesting debate about the impact of Competition Laws on long term sponsorship deals.

By Andrew Nixon. A decision which is likely to have an impact on a number of athletes waiting to hear if they can compete in London 2012 is currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The decision relates to Rule 45 of the Olympic Charter, which bars athletes who have received a doping sanction of greater than six months from competing at the following Olympic Games.