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World Rugby Handbook

REGULATION 18 APPENDIX 1 allow the evidence of the Union, Player or Person or witness to be given in any other form. 3.7 The Judicial Committee or Judicial Officer may direct that the Union or Tournament Organiser be represented. If so, the Union or Tournament Organiser shall appear by counsel and/or by a representative at the hearing, in such capacity as the Judicial Committee or Judicial Officer requires, to provide assistance to the Judicial Committee or Judicial Officer in the discharge of its duties. 3.8 Offences and breaches of Regulations may be established by any reliable means, including admissions. The following rules of proof shall be applied by the Judicial Committee or Judicial Officer: (a) they shall have the discretion to accept any facts established by a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction or professional disciplinary tribunal which is not the subject of a pending appeal as irrefutable evidence against the Player or Person to whom the decision relates of those facts, save only where the Player or Person establishes that the decision was contrary to the principles of natural justice; and (b) where the Player or Person is charged with an offence and/or breach and fails or refuses without compelling justification to appear at a hearing (in person or by telephonic means) of which they have been given reasonable notice, the Judicial Committee or Judicial Officer may draw an inference adverse to the Player or Person. 3.9 Unless it otherwise directs, the procedure of the Judicial Committee or Judicial Officer at a hearing will be as follows: (a) the Chairman or Judicial Officer will explain the procedure to be followed; (b) for cases involving Misconduct or breaches of the Code of Conduct and/or Anti-Corruption and Betting Regulations: (i) the charges will be read; and (ii) the Player or Person will be asked to confirm if he admits that he has committed the act or acts of Misconduct or breaches of the Regulation(s) for which he is charged; (c) for cases involving Ordering Off: (i) the referee's report and, where applicable, the assistant referee's report shall be read; (ii) the Player shall be asked to confirm if he admits that he has committed an act or acts of Foul Play; and (iii) the Player will be given the opportunity to say whether or not he will seek to show that the referee's decision was wrong (and if so why); Last update: 14 January, 2015 291


World Rugby Handbook
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