The British Horseracing Authority’s independent Judicial Panel is set for a refreshed look after Chair Sarah Crowther KC confirmed the appointment of nine new members following a detailed selection process.
BHA Judicial Panel Appointments
The new appointments bring together legal professionals and industry specialists with experience across sports regulation, safeguarding, veterinary matters and racing administration. The move aims to strengthen the panel’s ability to deal with a wide range of cases under the Rules of Racing.
The BHA Judicial Panel has appointed nine new members to support future disciplinary and licensing hearings.
The latest additions include four members joining the Chair Pool and five joining the Specialist Pool. The Chair Pool welcomes HH Phillip Sycamore CBE, Nicola Shannon KC, Pritesh Rathod and Sam Magee KC, while Colin Vickers, Sharon Cooksey, Miranda Fisher, Amy Hazlewood and Kevin Carptenter have joined as specialist members.
Each hearing before the panel is overseen by Sarah Crowther KC, who selects a chair and two specialist members depending on the knowledge and expertise required for the individual matter.
Members of the Judicial Panel serve three-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive appointments permitted. Some of the new members have been selected to replace those whose terms are ending, including Austin Allison, Alison O’Dowd and Chester Williams, while further appointments were made to strengthen areas requiring additional experience.
Sarah Crowther KC said the new appointments followed a highly competitive process involving more than 100 applicants. Candidates went through shortlisting, interviews and assessment before the final selections were made.
She added that the process focused on ensuring the panel included a broad range of skills, professional backgrounds and experiences needed to consider cases fairly and effectively.
The BHA Judicial Panel plays an important role in maintaining the standards and integrity of British racing through independent decision-making.
Among the new Chair Pool members, HH Phillip Sycamore CBE brings experience as a former Deputy High Court Judge and sports regulatory panel chair. Nicola Shannon KC has expertise in sports law, fraud and safeguarding matters, while Pritesh Rathod has worked across sports law and professional disciplinary areas. Sam Magee KC also brings experience from criminal law and sports regulation.
The Specialist Pool appointments add further expertise from racing and wider sporting fields. Colin Vickers offers more than three decades of experience in stewarding and handicapping, while Sharon Cooksey contributes equine veterinary knowledge.
Miranda Fisher brings safeguarding experience from social work, Amy Hazlewood adds legal expertise from disciplinary panels across several sports, and Kevin Carptenter contributes specialist knowledge in sports regulation.
The appointments reflect the continued development of the BHA Judicial Panel as it prepares to handle future hearings across British racing.
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