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World Rugby Handbook

REGULATION 17 (a) the Player’s status generally as an offender of the Laws of the Game;4 (b) the need for a deterrent to combat a pattern of offending in the Game; and (c) any other off-field aggravating factor(s) that the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer considers relevant and appropriate. Mitigating Factors 17.19.5 Thereafter, the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer shall identify any relevant off-field mitigating factors and determine if there are grounds for reducing the period of suspension and subject to Regulations 17.19.6 and 17.19.7 the extent, if at all, by which the period of suspension should be reduced. Mitigating factors include the following: (a) the presence and timing of an acknowledgement of culpability/wrong-doing by the offending Player; (b) the Player’s disciplinary record and/or good character; (c) the youth and inexperience of the Player; (d) the Player’s conduct prior to and at the hearing; (e) the Player having demonstrated remorse for his conduct to the victim Player including the timing of such remorse; and (f) any other off-field mitigating factor(s) that the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer considers relevant and appropriate. 17.19.6 Subject to Regulations 17.19.7 and 17.19.8, for acts of Foul Play the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer cannot apply a greater reduction than 50% of the relevant entry point suspension. In assessing the percentage reduction applicable for mitigating factors, the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer shall start at 0% reduction and apply the amount, if any, to be allowed as mitigation up to the maximum 50% reduction. 17.19.7 In cases involving offending that has been classified pursuant to Regulation 17.19.2 as lower end offending, where: (a) there are off-field mitigating factors; and (b) where the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer considers that the sanction would be wholly disproportionate to the level and type of offending involved; 4 The Player’s disciplinary record in all competitions and (as appropriate) in other sports during his playing career from the age of 18 shall be considered by a Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer. In any case in which the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer establishes that the Player has previously been found by a Judicial Officer and/or Disciplinary Committee to have committed any act of Foul Play and/or Misconduct then the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer in imposing any sanction on the Player may in fixing that sanction take account of such offending as an aggravating factor. Last update: 14 January, 2015 255


World Rugby Handbook
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