Client Mikhaylo Zubkov has successfully appealed against a six year ban imposed on him for bringing the sport into disrepute. A Panel of three Judges of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the ban was too severe and should be overturned. In place of the six year ban, the Panel substituted an eight month suspension. This means that Mr Zubkov can commence coaching again in late December 2007 in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics.

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Paul Horvath defended Ian Thorpe against allegations of performance enhancing drug use in comments made in The Sunday Herald Sun. He explained that there were a number of legitimate explanations for a sample that may appear to contain a banned substance, and that if Ian Thorpe's sample contained such a substance, it was almost certain that there was an innocent explanation.

Paul Horvath represented two team officials at the 2007 World Swimming Championships held in Melbourne. Russian senior diving coach, Vladimir Rulev was charged with unlawful assault and indecent assault and appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

In footage which was seen around the world, Mikhaylo Zubkov was seen involved pool side at the Championships in a squabble with his daughter, Kateryna, a competing swimmer. First, Mikhaylo Zubkov had to face Melbourne Magistrates' Court in relation to an intervention order in which the police sought to prevent him from seeing his daughter. The intervention order was not granted.

At 6.30pm on 28th March, Mr Mikhaylo Zubkov was advised that he was required to answer disciplinary charges at 10.30pm that night before a FINA disciplinary panel to be convened at the Crown Casino. Paul Horvath arranged for a top legal team including Tony Nolan SC, Will Alstergren and two instructing solicitors to defend his rights.

Client Scott McLaughlin succeeded in his appeal before the Australian Karting Appeal Court (Go Kart Racing). Paul Horvath Solicitor provided the legal advice and support necessary for Scott to have his suspensions (14 months was sought) overturned. The Court confirmed the original decision of the Victorian Karting Association Disciplinary Tribunal that there be no suspension.

Paul Horvath was re-appointed as legal advisor to the Richmond Football Club on AFL Tribunal matters, together with Michael Tovey, QC.

Paul Horvath's article on the World Anti Doping Code and the AFL was accepted for publication by the Monash University Law Review. It will be published in the second 2006 edition of that Review which will be launched in late February, 2006. A draft of the article can be viewed on the Sports Law page of this website.

Paul Horvath was Commonwealth Games Solicitor at Melbourne 2006 for athletes and officials (pro bono). In that capacity he was involved in Court of Arbitration for Sport Matters, and represented an Indian athlete and a Bangladeshi athlete charged with criminal offences alleged to have occurred in the athletes village.

ea the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games, Paul Horvath represented two Tasmanian weightlifters charged with anti-doping offences before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Paul Horvath represented a Victorian prison officer charged with the murder of a prisoner who was shot escaping from St Vincent’s hospital. After an eight day trial, the Judge ruled that there was no case to answer, and the jury were directed to find the officer not guilty. The officer was granted bail at all stages of the proceedings. At the earlier Magistrates Court committal hearing which concluded in November, 2003, the Magistrate also threw the charge out, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction.