AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24901, 14 June 1946, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB

PROCEDURE IN APPEALS The committee of the Australian Jockey Club has recently made an important change in procedure in appeals against the decisions of the stipendiary stewards, and jn future appellants may be assisted by counsel or an unpaid agent. The committee made it clear, however, that since counsel or an agent, as such, had not the right of audience before the cqmmittee, it would be necessary in each case to seek the committee's permission to appear. It was also stated that although the question qf open appeals had been mentioned, no decision had been made. Up to the present, appeals to the committee have had to be conducted by the appellants themselves. The change in procedure has been welcomed in all quarters, but to many in this country it is a wonder that it has not been adopted previously. In the cases of jockeys, in particular—and they are the most frequently penalised racing professionals—the task of handling their own appeals and presenting their eases must have presented a most difficult task.

The new procedure is based on that followed in Queensland for some years, and (as in Queensland) the stipendiary steward will have to conduct his own case. The procedure for appeals in Queensland is probably largely based on that in New Zealand, .Mr A. Wilson, a former chief stipendiary steward in Queensland, was at one time a stipendiary steward in New Zealand. There are two essential differences in procedure in Queensland, compared with that in New Zealand. The first is that there no fresh evidence is admissible, and the second, which follows automatically, that counsel is not permitted to crossexamine on evidence already taken. Counsel is required to confine his attention to the placing of facts in as favourable a light as possible for his client. The stipendiary stewards then may address the committee on the points of evidence which in”uenced them in making their decision. In New Zealand, appeals generally take the form of a rehearing, and fresh evidne is consquently admissible. Permission for counsel to appear is granted by the body hearing the appeal, there being nothing in the Rules of Racing stating whether or not counsel may appear. Canterbury Jockey Club Entries Entries for classic events will close at 5 p.m. to-day. —-Advt.