1. Guide to Match Review, Judiciary and Disciplinary Hearings
Overview
Match Review Committees
Judiciary Tribunals
Disciplinary Tribunals

2. Overview
It is imperative that all key decision makers have a clear understanding of the QRL and Local League Rules.
That is,
Referees
Match Review Committee members
Judiciary Tribunal members
Head Coaches and/or Committee Members

3. Understanding the Rules – Match Review Committee
What is the process?
Player is reported to the Match Review Committee
Placed on report by the referee
Sent from the field by the referee
Sent to the sin bin by the referee for dangerous play (e.g. Striking)
Local League Chairperson requests incident to be reviewed
Club Chairperson requests incident to be reviewed
All reports of player misconduct must be received by the league within the nominated timeframe.
Note: As per QRL Rules the Match Review Committee (and all other Tribunals must be appointed by the league prior to the commencement of any competitions.

4. Understanding the Rules – Match Review Committee
What is the process?
Match Review Committee meets either in person or via electronic means. Remember a Match Review Committee can be 1-3 persons, make sure you define this in your local league rules.
Match Review Committee determines all charges from the reported incidents by considering the evidence available. This evidence may include charging a player not previously reported after viewing video evidence of a reported incident.
Charges are handed down using the Base Penalty Schedule included as an appendix to Part 5 of the QRL Rules.
Decisions made are distributed to all competing clubs via the Match Review Summary Sheet.
Note: Match Review Committee should refer to video database of similar incidents where available

5. Match Review Summary Sheet
Within the agreed timeframe all clubs should be sent the following Match Review Summary Sheet.
Note: In reviewing a reported incident Match Review Committee may deem Evidence Inconclusive or Penalty Sufficient.
Player
Club
Time of Incident
Charge
Grading
Base Demerit Points
Penalty Points
Points from this Charge
Prior Similar Offences in last 2 years (50% Loading
Prior Non-Similar Offences in last 2 years (20% Loading)
Carry Over Points to be added
A Striker
Kanagroos
1/20
Striking 2
225
Early Plea
169
Guilty
B Punchy
Koalas
1/35
255 1 69
339
C Reddy
Wombats
2/25
359 96
478

6. Understanding the Rules – Judiciary Tribunals
What is the process? (Judiciary Tribunals are established to hear cases arising from on field incidents only)
Clubs need to respond appropriately by the required deadline as outlined in the local league rules
Clubs must be specific
Pleading Guilty to the Charge (therefore receiving the early plea discount)
Pleading Not Guilty to the Charge (therefore electing to attend a Judiciary Hearing)
Pleading Guilty to a lesser Charge (electing to attend a Judiciary Hearing but (as an example) pleading guilty to a Grade 1 offence rather than Grade 2)
Failure by a club to respond within the nominated timeframe indicates the player has accepted the charge and will receive the Early Plea Incentive.
Note: Judiciary Tribunals should refer to video database of similar incidents where available.

7. Understanding the Rules – Judiciary Tribunals
What is the process?
League to convene a Judiciary Hearing as required
Judiciary Hearings are convened if clubs have pleaded Not Guilty or serious incidents are referred to the Judiciary directly from the Match Review Committee
Judiciary Tribunals must include 3 members. Decisions made by this group are by simple majority.
In making their decisions Judiciary Tribunals should consider:
Evidence provided by the Match Review Committee
Evidence provided by the Match Officials
Evidence provided by the club/player
Evidence provided by the opposing player or affected person

8. Judiciary Tribunal Summary Sheet
Following the Judiciary Tribunal all clubs should be sent a complete summary of all relevant incidents.
Note: After sending this to all clubs the league should send all guilty players/clubs formal notification by way of letter as published as part of QRL Rules
Player
Club
Time of Incident
Charge
Grading
Result (Guilty or Not Guilty)
Matches to Serve
Points Calculation
Carry-over points
A Striker
Kangaroos
1/20
Striking 2
Guilty (Early Plea) 1
169 69
B Punchy
Koalas
1/35
Guilty 3
339 39
C Redd
Wombats
2/25
Guilty (successfully pleaded guilty to Grade 1)
231 31

9. Understanding the Rules
What are the timelines?
Note: All QRL Rules indicate that timelines need to be ‘within’ a period of time. Local leagues should create a reasonable timeline for completion of the process ‘within’ the timelines allowed under the rules .
Distribution of the Match Review Summary Sheet
QRL Rules advise ‘within’ 2 business days
Suggest Local League Rules reflect no later than 5pm on the Tuesday following weekend games
Receipt of ‘plea’ from Clubs
QRL Rules advise ‘within’ 2 business days of receiving the Match Review Summary Sheet
Suggest Local League Rules reflect no later that 5pm on the Wednesday following weekend games
Judiciary Tribunals
Suggest that all Judiciary Hearings are conducted Thursday PM following weekend games
QRL Rules advise that clubs need to be advised of decisions ‘within’ 2 business days of the Tribunal
Suggest Local League Rules reflect no later than 3pm on the Friday following weekend games

10. Understanding the Rules – Disciplinary Tribunals
Key points to note: QRL Rule 5.5 clearly outlines the jurisdiction of a Local League Disciplinary Tribunal. Complaints made to the Local League must be received and confirmed in writing within 7 days of the incident. On receipt of a complaint the Local League should make a decision based on the evidence available if the alleged perpetrator should be subject to a Disciplinary Charge and therefore attend a Disciplinary hearing. Disciplinary Tribunals are only in place to deal with off field incidents and actions of on field staff (E.g. LeagueSafe runner).

11. Understanding the Rules – Disciplinary Tribunals
What is the process?
Complaint received by the Local League
Local League Administration considers the evidence available and make a decision to charge the alleged perpetrator or otherwise.
Local League advises the alleged perpetrator that they are being charged with an offence or otherwise. This advice should include:
Details of the alleged complaint
Evidence available to the Local League
Date, time and venue for a Disciplinary hearing
Option to provide further evidence
Local League Disciplinary Tribunal is convened
Detailed process for convening a Disciplinary Tribunal is outlined in Part of the QRL Rules
Previous case history is available from the relevant Division on request
Decision is made.
Local League advises the alleged perpetrator (in writing) of the outcome of the hearing within 2 business days.

12. Appealing Decisions made by Tribunals
Note: an appeal of a local league Tribunal must be lodged with the relevant Division as per QRL Rules 5.6
Judiciary
A Division will only hear an appeal on the grounds of:
The process followed was not consistent with QRL Rules/Local League and had a direct bearing on the end result of the Judiciary Tribunal. (You cannot appeal on a technicality if it had no bearing on the end result)
The player/club has new evidence that was not previously available. (This does not include additional statements or evidence that could have been sourced prior to the initial Tribunal)
The penalty is a suspension from playing greater than 8 competition matches.
Disciplinary
The process followed was not consistent with QRL Rules/Local League and had a direct bearing on the end result of the Disciplinary Tribunal. (You cannot appeal on a technicality if it had no bearing on the end result)
The person is dissatisfied with the decision and can provide written evidence to suggest the appeal is not frivolous