Dixon v Queensland Racing Integrity Commission

Dixon was the driver of a horse in two trotting races in Queensland. The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission issued two charges against Dixon for alleged unacceptable driving. The first charge arose from a race on 14 August 2017, and the second from a race on 27 October 2017. The stewards found Dixon guilty of both charges, disqualified him from driving for 12 months, and imposed a fine. Dixon appealed to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) which was dismissed. Dixon appealed to the Queensland Court of Appeal.

The court was required to determine whether Dixon's driving was an unacceptable manner, in breach of Australian Harness Racing Rules. This required an assessment of whether Dixon's actions were due to simple error of judgment, or whether they were due to culpability and blameworthiness. The court was also required to consider whether Dixon's driving was an unacceptable manner, and whether the penalty imposed was appropriate.

The court found that the QCAT erred in its assessment of Dixon's driving. The court found that the stewards' decision was unreasonable and that Dixon's actions were due to simple error of judgment, rather than culpability and blameworthiness. The court found that the stewards had not considered all the evidence before them, and had placed too much weight on the opinion of one witness. The court found that the penalty imposed was excessive and disproportionate to the offence. The court set aside the decision of the stewards and dismissed the charges against Dixon.

The court ordered that the decision of the stewards be set aside, and that Dixon be exonerated of all charges. The court also ordered that Dixon be refunded the fine imposed by the stewards.