The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) judicial hearing of the Waterford Crystal doping case will almost certainly take place in mid-February and possibly in London.
February 18th has been proposed as the date for the hearing, according to an FEI source, but still has to be agreed by all the parties involved, including the four-man judicial committee who will hear the case.
"There was some talk of the end of January, but I think the middle of February is the quickest we can get everyone together", the FEI secretary general, Dr Bo Helander, told The Irish Times. "We are certainly interested in bringing an end to this, and I think the other party is, too."
Cian O'Connor's solicitor, Mr Andrew Coonan, who e-mailed an 18-page submission to the FEI offices in Lausanne on Wednesday, confirmed that an early date would suit his client.
"As of the moment no date has been set", he said, "but I reiterate that I would hope that it is sooner rather than later."
The FEI source also revealed that London had been proposed as a possible venue for the hearing. "That would seem to me to be a practical solution", Mr Coonan said.
The written submissions from Cian O'Connor's legal adviser have been forwarded to the FEI's solicitor, Dr Jean-Marc Reymond, of the Lausanne legal firm, Carrard Paschoud Heim and Associates.
Dr Reymond, who will be arguing the case on behalf of the FEI, is reviewing the full case file to decide whether any further action needs to be taken before it is sent on to the judicial committee chairman, Dr Ken Lalo, and the three members of the committee, which includes a Dublin solicitor, Mr Philip O'Connor.