HRAP members are appointed by the AGCO Board of Directors based on experience and qualifications and through a competitive, merit-based process. There is broad representation from the various sectors of the industry on the Panel, with various members possessing a background or experience in law, veterinary medicine and pharmacology, governance and administrative justice.

In January 2020, five members (including the Vice-Chair) were renewed for a further term and in July 2021, Tony Williams was newly appointed to the HRAP as a member. The re-appointments by the AGCO Board of Directors signal the importance of ensuring the continuity of the HRAP and retaining members who have the requisite skills and experience to effectively adjudicate racing appeals and to help manage the tribunal going forward.

This report marks the end of five years in operation for the HRAP. Its focus continues to be on ensuring a fair and accessible adjudicative process for all participants. The HRAP continually reassesses itself, resulting in an efficient and responsive appeal process that considers all stakeholder input.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HRAP took all precautionary measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our frontline staff, stakeholders and the public. As a result, and in accordance with the Rules of Racing (Rule 3.8), the HRAP adjourned all in-person hearings, and a new initiative to transition the in-person hearings to electronic hearings took immediate priority.

In July 2020, the HRAP recommenced hearings conducted exclusively on a virtual platform. Electronic hearings are accessible through a secure Zoom platform and facilitated by the HRAP Secretariat. Virtual training is available through the Secretariat to all participants in the electronic hearing process. A Notice to the Industry released in June 2020 addressed the changes to the hearing format under the HRAP’s Rules of Procedure (ROP), and a Practice Direction for Electronic Hearings was published, providing general information about electronic hearings before the HRAP.

Since April 1, 2020, the HRAP Secretariat has received 59 new Notice of Appeals and has facilitated 41 electronic hearings over 51 days.

The HRAP Secretariat continues to monitor the pandemic, with the safety, health and wellbeing of our stakeholders, parties and staff as our top priority.