REGULATION 21 necessary an independent interpreter shall be present at a hearing of the Judicial Committee. (c) In the interests of time and minimising inconvenience a Player, or other Person whose hearing is pending can be required by the Judicial Committee, prior to the hearing, to supply it with full particulars of the case that will be presented on his behalf at the hearing. (d) The Judicial Committee shall have the power to postpone or adjourn proceedings. (e) The Judicial Committee shall be entitled to receive such evidence as it thinks fit (including evidence in writing) notwithstanding that evidence may not be legally admissible, and shall be entitled to attach such weight to that evidence as it sees fit. (f) Generally the Judicial Committee shall apply the “best evidence rule”. This means that first-hand accounts from persons present at the hearing as to their observations/knowledge of the alleged antidoping rule violation in question should be preferred. Hearsay evidence may be accepted. However, caution shall be exercised before hearsay evidence is accepted in preference to first-hand evidence and generally less weight is likely to be given to hearsay evidence. Further, as a general rule, Judicial Committees should not permit the introduction of opinion evidence other than expert opinion evidence. Expert opinion evidence is only likely to be permitted when the evidence falls outside the everyday knowledge of members of the Judicial Committee. (g) The Judicial Committee shall be entitled to determine whether witnesses that give evidence are able to remain in the room in which the hearing is being heard after their evidence has been given. (h) The Judicial Committee shall endeavour to ensure that proceedings are not heard in the absence of the Player, or other Person subject to the proceedings. However, the non-attendance of a Player, or other Person or his representative, after notice of the hearing has been provided, will not prevent the Judicial Committee from proceeding with the hearing in his absence. In arriving at its decision, the Judicial Committee may, however, take into account any written statement submitted by the Player, or other Person or his representatives. (i) At any hearing the Judicial Committee will not be bound by judicial rules governing the procedure or the admissibility of evidence, however, the hearing shall be conducted in a fair manner with a reasonable opportunity for the Player or other Person who is alleged to have committed an anti-doping rule violation to submit evidence, address the Judicial Committee and present his case. Last update: 14 January, 2015 363
World Rugby Handbook
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