[blml] An EBU L&E decision.

[Tim West-Meads]

> *From:* Ed Reppert <ereppert at rochester.rr.com>
> *To:* Bridge Laws Mailing List <blml at amsterdamned.org>
> *Date:* Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:51:12 -0400
> 
> On Oct 31, 2007, at 6:48 PM, Tim West-Meads wrote:
> 
> > Feel free to tell me where the laws limit the "any instruction" 
> > of  L90b8.
> 
> One purpose of an AC is to provide a check on a TDs bridge 
> judgement.  

Not according to the laws.  The purpose of an AC is not actually defined.
IMO (and this *is* an interpretation of a point of law!) the purpose of
an AC is to assist the TD in giving high quality rulings.  The TD is
*responsible* for the final ruling - the AC is not.

> Your interpretation of Law 90B8 would negate that 
> purpose. Therefore  I reject your interpretation. If a TD told me, 
> as an AC member, to  ignore that purpose, I would resign from the 
> committee rather than  follow that instruction. 

Technically I, as TD, can discipline you for disobeying my instruction to
serve on the AC!  Usually I try and get volunteers on ACs so that
wouldn't apply.

> And I would report the incident to the  appropriate authority
> (which, I grant you, might not mean much).

And my instruction having been "I have investigated the incident and
discussed it with the players - they all know eachother well and
universally agreed that pass would simply not be an LA for Jim (while it
might be for others) so please don't spend time on this issue.  The
reason for the appeal is..."

Do you think the "appropriate authority" will deem my instruction illegal
(and if so as a breach of which law?).

Other possible scenarios might include ones where the best player in the
room is the TD and the 2nd-5th best players involved at the appealing
table while the residue have no/limited AC experience.  The TD may need
to brief very closely in order to ensure a good result.

Of course if a TD instructs an AC of superior players not to review his
bridge judgement on a clearly delicate and disputed issue he is acting
*unwisely* - and a higher authority might find grounds to overturn the
ruling given by an obedient AC and to reprimand the TD on the grounds of
*competence*.  

Tim