Dr Paliukėnas From the VU Faculty of Law Reappointed Chief Steward of the Dakar Rally

Dr Arnas Paliukėnas, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law of Vilnius University, is not only a motorsport enthusiast and a legal expert specialising in sports law but also Chairperson of the Stewards of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile). As a result of his extensive career and achievements in motorsports, Dr Paliukėnas has, for the third time, been appointed as a steward for the upcoming Dakar Rally.

As a lawyer, you specialise in sports law. What led you to choose this field?

I think it all started with motorsport, which I’ve been passionate about for many years, so sports law has always felt like a natural fit for me. I’ve served as a member of the Council of the Lithuanian Automobile Sport Federation (LASF), chaired the Rally Committee, and later headed the LASF Court of Appeal. Eventually, I realised this would be a great topic for my dissertation.

When I was still working on my doctoral thesis, I successfully applied for a position as a judge at the FIA International Court of Appeal. This position required not only a legal background and case-handling experience but also specific expertise in sports law. At that time, it was a significant achievement, especially considering that I was the first representative from such a small country like Lithuania and, in general, from Eastern Europe. My term of office started in 2014 and lasted four years.

What do you consider the greatest achievement of your career?

I think that the pinnacle of my career was serving as a judge at the FIA International Court of Appeal, which was a major recognition of my work. I completed two terms until the end of 2021. After a break of two years, I have recently been reappointed for a third term. This is undoubtedly my highest accomplishment rather than the Dakar Rally or my role as a steward, although these achievements often receive more attention.

So, what were your responsibilities during the Dakar Rally?

In motorsport, stewards act as first-instance judges who handle cases during the event. From the beginning to the end of each race, they have the ultimate power to address anything that arises during that competition. If someone contests a steward’s decision, the case may proceed to the Court of Appeal. So that is exactly what my duties are at the Dakar Rally.

I also serve as a steward at some international rally events and as a judge at the Court of Appeal. However, if an appeal involves my own decision, it has to be handled by another judge to ensure impartiality.

What are the most common infringements you have to deal with?

Since rallying is a technical sport, most cases involve technical violations. Our job is to ensure fair play. Sometimes, we have to address conduct issues or investigate violations not only by motorsport athletes but also, for example, suppliers. When ordering equipment or goods from a certain manufacturer, we cannot always be sure that everything will meet expectations until the items are actually delivered. If a supplier provides defective or non-compliant equipment, it may give rise to proceedings. We can even investigate misconduct by the race director or any referee.

Although it is the most well-known race in Lithuania, the Dakar Rally is actually just the first of five stages of the World Rally Championship. In 2023, I served as a steward during all five stages. This week, the regulations for the upcoming Dakar Rally were announced, and I was once again officially reappointed as a steward.

Rallying is a dangerous sport. What risks do participants and officials face during such events?

Absolutely, motorsport is inherently risky, and anything can happen at any moment. Despite stringent requirements for participants, it’s impossible to completely avoid accidents. Sometimes, no mathematical formulas can predict how a car might crash or at what angle it could hit something.

Unfortunately, the Dakar Rally is definitely one of those races where fatalities occur – not only among athletes but also spectators. It’s impossible to fence off a vast desert, so if someone appears on the track unexpectedly, it’s hard to avoid tragedy. Last year, a person who tragically lost their life at the Dakar Rally was not a spectator but just someone who happened to be in the desert during the race. Although everything depends on the country and the legal system where the rally takes place, such tragic cases may involve state intervention, police investigations, and court proceedings. However, if an athlete causes an unintentional accident while pursuing their performance goals, they cannot be held criminally liable.

You are also an attorney and a lecturer at the VU Faculty of Law. How do you balance all these responsibilities?

Yes, I juggle a lot of roles. Primarily, I am a practising attorney; therefore, I spend most of my time in courtrooms, often handling two to three cases daily. Moreover, as a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, I have a busy schedule during both the autumn and spring semesters, which also takes up a significant portion of my time. But I find teaching at my Alma Mater and passing on knowledge to students to be incredibly rewarding. If I happen to be assigned to a sporting event and my schedules overlap, I sometimes conduct my seminars remotely. Motorsport, however, remains more of a hobby for me rather than my main profession, as it is mostly a voluntary activity. Sure, I get all my expenses covered during these events, but it’s not a paid job in the traditional sense. Yet not everything in life is about money – sometimes, it’s just about pursuing what we’re passionate about.