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BHA rules re-write: Clearer rules take effect
Northridge supports the British Horseracing Authority in developing ‘easier to understand’ Rules of Racing
LONDON – On 1 September 2019, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA)’s re-written and modernised Rules of Racing took effect.
The landmark project to re-write the rules was launched nearly three years ago, in late 2016, with the aim of making the old rules easier to understand and easier to access for both participants and the wider public.
The re-write was primarily focused on the format, presentation, and structure of the rules, rather than representing a wholesale change in the substance of the rules. In terms of the scale of the project, the rules before the re-write ran to well over 1,000 pages; the new rules, by contrast, run to 228 pages.
The BHA consulted a wide range of stakeholder bodies within the sport, with Northridge Law LLP supporting the BHA. Following approval by the BHA Board, the new rules came into force on 1 September 2019. The rules will provide a framework for the BHA to continue to lead the way in sports integrity.
“This has been a long and complex piece of work and I’d like to thank Northridge’s dedicated and experienced team for all the assistance they have provided, particularly James Eighteen and Oliver Harland.
The result is a set of rules that are as clear and easy to understand as they have ever been, as well as being easily accessible online and through digital applications.
The new rules now stand as a prime example of BHA’s progressive approach to make regulation more transparent for our participants and the general public.”
Tim Naylor
Director of Integrity and Regulation, the British Horseracing Authority
“The Northridge team were delighted and proud to support the British Horseracing Authority in this important project for horseracing. It was a pleasure to work alongside the in-house team for what was a challenging but rewarding task.”
James Eighteen
Northridge founding partner
Northridge is an independent law firm that focuses on the most complex and important matters in sport. Founded in October 2017, it has already established itself as the firm the sports industry turns to when the stakes are highest. It is ranked in Tier One for sports law in the Legal 500 and is Europe’s largest sports practice. Clients include:
- Major brands and agencies: Puma, Betway, IMG, AEG Worldwide, CSM, Roc Nation, KIN
- Sporting bodies: The British Horseracing Authority, the Football Association, World Rugby, the Welsh Rugby Union, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football League, Formula E, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain
- Football teams: Chelsea FC, AC Milan, Everton FC and Middlesbrough FC
- Individuals: Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Cesc Fabregas, Kevin De Bruyne, Thierry Henry
- Investors: Bessemer Venture Partners, Elliott, Dragoneer Investment Group, Farhad Moshiri
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Kathryn Adamson, Kathryn@legalcomms.com, Mobile (+44) 0771 713 3595
Notes to editors:
The Rules of Racing can be viewed here
