Background on the Cricket Discipline Panel.
The Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) is the body that hears disciplinary cases in the professional domestic game in England and Wales.
Key questions on the Disciplinary Process and Cricket Discipline Panel’s role and remit
What is the Cricket Discipline Panel?
The CDP operates at arm’s length from the ECB and the Cricket Regulator and is responsible for adjudicating on alleged breaches of the ECB’s Rules and Regulations that are referred to it by the Cricket Regulator, in accordance with the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations.
The general aim of the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations is to provide an efficient and fair system of dealing with alleged breaches of the ECB’s Rules and Regulations. CDP Disciplinary Tribunals comprise three independent and suitably qualified and experienced individuals.
The Cricket Discipline Panel began hearing cases from April 1, 2025, assuming responsibility for this from the previous Cricket Discipline Commission. It is chaired by Richard Whittam KC.
What allegations or offences can the Cricket Regulator look into?
Any conduct which is alleged to breach the ECB’s Rules and Regulations.
Who can action be taken against?
As per the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations, cricket organisations (including Professional County Clubs, Hundred teams, the MCC, the NCCA, Recreational Cricket Boards or National Counties), registered cricketers, second XI cricketers, professional club coaches, umpires and match referees, registered agents, cricket organisation officials (trustees, directors, chairs, lead officers or chief executives), and any director, chair or chief executive of the ECB.
How is a Cricket Regulator investigation carried out?
The Cricket Regulator integrity team will investigate any matter which may constitute a breach of the ECB’s Rules and Regulations. It has a broad discretion as to how to conduct such an investigation and may do so either following receipt of a complaint or of its own volition. Depending on the circumstances, it will either carry out the investigation internally or instruct external specialist lawyers to assist it.
The investigation will typically include interviews and/or correspondence with relevant witnesses and the consideration of all available documentary and other evidence to establish whether any given person has a case to answer under the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations.
What happens once the Cricket Regulator finishes its investigation?
If it decides that the respondent has a case to answer, the Cricket Regulator may either decide to issue charges or, for low-level breaches, invite the respondent to accept an official caution. If the caution is accepted, no charges will be brought but it will remain on the respondent’s record for three years.
Is the Cricket Regulator determining guilt by bringing charges?
No. Bringing charges simply means the Cricket Regulator believes that there is a case for the person charged (the respondent) to answer as to whether they have breached the ECB’s Rules and Regulations. The respondent is entitled to deny the charge and contest it before the CDP.
It is for the CDP, after hearing all of the available evidence, to determine whether or not a breach has occurred.
What happens once charges are brought?
When the decision is made to refer a charge to the CDP, it is passed to the Chair of the CDP, who will either appoint a Sole Arbitrator to determine the matter under the Summary Procedure (where the respondent has admitted the charge(s) and the matter is deemed suitable for determination based on the papers) or appoint a three-person Disciplinary Tribunal to determine the charge(s) at a hearing.
Each respondent will have received a charge letter and the evidence supporting the charge(s) and will have a period of time in which to submit any evidence in response.
The individual or club/team charged can admit or deny the charge(s). If they admit the charge(s) and the matter is not proceeding under the Summary Procedure, a CDP Disciplinary Tribunal will be arranged to hold a hearing to determine the applicable sanctions.
If they deny the charge(s), a CDP Disciplinary Tribunal will be convened to determine liability at a hearing. If the Disciplinary Tribunal upholds the charge(s), it will also determine the sanction(s).
Who is on a Disciplinary Tribunal for a Disciplinary Hearing?
The CDP Chair appoints themself or another member of the CDP to be the Chair of a Disciplinary Tribunal, and selects two other individuals to sit on the panel for that hearing. The individuals are selected from the pool of 14 CDP Members appointed by Richard Whittam KC in March 2025 following an open recruitment process.
To ensure independence, any proposed member of a CDP Disciplinary Tribunal needs to disclose any conflicts of interest before they can be appointed.
When does a Disciplinary Hearing take place?
The CDP Disciplinary Tribunal will decide the timings and conduct of the hearing, with the aim of a hearing taking place as soon as reasonably practicable.
What are the potential sanctions?
Following a hearing, a CDP Disciplinary Tribunal may impose any one or more of the sanctions expressly prescribed in the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations. As regards cricketers, these include but are not limited to:
- Reprimand
- Unlimited fine
- Suspension from all or any specified cricketing activity (which could include recreational cricket)
- Suspension of eligibility to play in any match(es) or for any fixed period;
- Suspension of eligibility for selection to play for England in any match(es) or for any fixed period
- Suspension (for any period) or termination of registration
- Completion of any education/training programme/course.
For a club, potential sanctions also include suspension from ECB competition(s), variation of points or alteration of match results.
Does the Cricket Regulator have any say in the sanctions?
The Cricket Regulator acts as the prosecutor and does not determine sanctions (or liability). If a club or individual pleads not guilty and contests the charge(s), it is for the CDP Disciplinary Tribunal to determine whether to uphold the charge(s), and if so what sanction(s) to impose.
The Cricket Regulator will offer a view on sanction, but the CDP does not have to accept this view and it is entirely the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision as to what sanction is imposed. Similarly, if a club or individual pleads guilty, it is for the Disciplinary Tribunal to determine what sanction(s) to impose.
When are the findings of a Disciplinary Tribunal communicated?
Findings are communicated as soon as is reasonably practicable after the relevant hearing.
The CDP Disciplinary Tribunal’s written reasons are published in full unless it determines that doing so would be inappropriate.
Decisions of the CDP (and its predecessor the CDC) can be found here: https://www.ecb.co.uk/about/policies/discipline.
Is there an appeals process?
The Cricket Regulator or the respondent can appeal a decision of a CDP Disciplinary Tribunal in accordance with the appeal provisions in the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations. Any such appeal needs to be lodged within 10 Working Days of the relevant CDP Disciplinary Tribunal decision.