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The Chairman of the Jury for the
32nd America's Cup, Bryan Willis, has stepped down
from his role as Chief Umpire, effective at the
end of 2005.
This move, proposed by Willis and supported by the
Defender, the Challenger of Record, Challenge Commission,
and the organisers of the 32nd America's Cup, is
to ensure the complete independence of the Jury.
Bryan Willis held this dual role for the last two
America's Cups, but now the jurisdiction of the
Jury includes areas previously undertaken by the
Arbitration Panel. Accordingly, Willis says he feels
it is important there be no conflict, real or perceived,
between the two positions.
"The America's Cup Jury is empowered to resolve
a wide range of disputes," Willis said. "Its status
as a 'no appeal' judicial body, whose decisions
are final and binding, is vital to the smooth-running
of the Event. It is therefore essential that the
Jury is, and is seen to be, totally independent".
The Regatta Director, Dyer Jones, will now appoint
a new Chief Umpire in accordance with the Protocol
for the 32nd America's Cup.
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