JAMES Hird's Federal Court appeal is set to conclude on Tuesday after dragging into a second day.

 

Hird's appeal of Justice John Middleton's ruling that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's investigation into Essendon's 2012 supplements regime was lawful was originally scheduled for one day.

 

But the appeal is not likely to be finalised until Tuesday lunchtime, with ASADA's legal counsel, Tom Howe QC, still to complete his submissions and Hird's counsel, Peter Hanks QC, then having a right of reply.

 

AFL.com.au will be back in court from 10am on Tuesday for LIVE coverage of the conclusion to Hird's latest fight.

 

On Monday, Hanks outlined Hird's grounds of appeal for most of the day, principally arguing that ASADA had improperly sought to sidestep its lack of statutory powers by harnessing the AFL's coercive powers to compel Hird and Essendon players to give evidence.

 

Howe submitted ASADA's investigation had been legal, as the ASADA Act and National Anti-Doping Scheme envisaged the anti-doping authority cooperating with sporting bodies such as the AFL to investigate anti-doping violations.

 

Hird's solo challenge comes after Federal Court Justice John Middleton rejected a challenge from the Essendon coach and the Bombers questioning the legality of ASADA's joint investigation with the AFL in September.

 

Following that ruling, ASADA re-issued detailed show-cause notices and summaries of evidence to 34 past and present Bombers players.

 

Hird is appealing against the wishes of the club and the players involved.