Appeal – Decision as to Costs dated 7 October 2024 – Robert Pringle

ID: RIB47066

Respondent(s):
Racing Integrity Board - Other (RIB)

Applicant:
Robert Pringle

Appeal Committee Member(s):
Mr A Harper (Chairman), Mr M McKechnie

Persons Present:
(via Audio Visual) Mr Robert Pringle, Ms Mary-Jane Thomas - Counsel for the Appellant, Mr Simon Irving - on behalf of the Respondent

Information Number:
A16950, A16931

Decision Type:
Appeal

Charge:
Prohibited Substance in Greyhound - Cobalt

Rule(s):
141(1)(a) - Prohibited substance, 141(4) - Prohibited substance

Animal Name:
GRANDE VUE ACE

Code:
Greyhound

Race Date:
28/01/2024

Race Club:
Auckland Greyhound Racing Club

Race Location:
Manukau Greyhound Stadium - Te Irirangi Drive, Manukau, Auckland, 2023

Race Number:
R3

Hearing Date:
10/09/2024

Hearing Location:
via Audio Visual

Outcome: Appeal Dismissed

Penalty: N/A

Background

1.  The Appellant filed an Appeal against the penalties imposed by an Adjudicative Committee on two charges of a breach of Rule 141(1)(a) of the Greyhound Racing New Zealand Rules.

2.  The Appellant pleaded guilty to the charges.

3.  In a Decision dated 20 September 2024, this Tribunal dismissed the Appellant’s Appeal.

4.  In that Decision, the Tribunal sought submissions from the parties as to costs.

Appellant’s Submissions

5.  No submissions were received from the Appellant.

Respondent’s Submissions

6.  Mr Irving, on behalf of the Respondent, indicated it was usual practice for the RIB to engage Legal Counsel where the other party to the proceeding had also engaged Legal Counsel.

7.  For this Appeal however, the RIB only sought Legal Counsel to review the submissions, which had been prepared by Mr Irving.

8.  The cost of that review was $395.00 + GST and he sought full reimbursement from the Appellant on the basis that any cost incurred by the RIB in this matter, would be a cost to be borne by the whole Industry.

Discussion

9.  The costs incurred by the RIB as Respondent in this proceeding was reasonable. The Appeals Tribunal considers it appropriate the Appellant contributes $250 towards those costs.

10.  In addition, there has been a cost to the RIB in assembling this Tribunal and arranging for the actual hearing – albeit it was by Audio Visual Link (AVL).

11.  Costs of the Tribunal were $3,930 + GST. Again, it is reasonable to expect the Appellant to make some contribution towards that cost. The Tribunal considers an appropriate contribution towards the cost of this Tribunal to be $1,250.

Decision

12.  Accordingly, the Tribunal orders the Appellant to pay $1,500 in costs in respect of his Appeal.

Decision Date: 07/10/2024

Publish Date: 08/10/2024