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, 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 panels 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.
When is a CDP Disciplinary Hearing convened?
Each matter is considered on a case-by-case basis and, if appropriate, the individual or organisation is charged by the Cricket Regulator and the matter is referred to a CDP Disciplinary Hearing.
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 counties, Hundred teams, the MCC, the NCCA, recreational Cricket Boards or National Counties), registered cricketers, coaches who are employed by a club, 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.
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 relevant defendant to answer as to whether they have breached the ECB’s Rules and Regulations, but the person charged is entitled to deny the charge and contest it at a hearing before the CDP disciplinary panel.
It is for the CDP disciplinary panel, after hearing all of the available evidence, to determine guilt or otherwise.
What happens once charges are brought?
When the decision is made to refer a charge for a disciplinary hearing, it is passed to the CDP Chair, who will appoint a CDP disciplinary panel.
Each defendant 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 charged can admit or deny the charge(s). If they admit the charge(s), the CDP disciplinary panel will convene a hearing to determine the applicable sanctions.
If they deny the charge(s), the CDP disciplinary panel will convene a hearing to determine liability. If the CDP disciplinary panel upholds the charge(s), it will also determine the sanction(s).
Who is on a Disciplinary Panel for a Disciplinary Hearing?
The CDP Chair appoints themself or another member of the CDP to be the Chair of a disciplinary panel, and that person then selects two other individuals to sit with them on the panel for that hearing. The individuals are selected from the pool of 14 CDP Members appointed by Mr Whittam in March 2025 following an open recruitment process.
To ensure independence, any proposed member of a CDP disciplinary panel needs to disclose any conflicts of interest before they can be appointed.
When does a Disciplinary Hearing take place?
The CDP disciplinary panel will decide the timings of the hearing, with the aim of a hearing taking place as soon as reasonably practicable.
What are potential sanctions?
In any particular case, a CDP disciplinary panel may impose any one or more of the sanctions expressly prescribed in the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations. As regards individuals, these include but are not limited to:
- Caution as to future conduct;
- Reprimand
- Unlimited fine
- 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; and
- Completion of any education/training programme/course
For a club, potential sanctions also include suspension from ECB competition(s), points deductions or alteration of match results.
Does the Cricket Regulator have any say in the sanctions?
The Cricket Regulator acts as 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 panel 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 and it is entirely the disciplinary panel’s decision as to what sanction is imposed. Similarly, if a club or individual pleads guilty, it is for the CDP disciplinary panel to determine what sanction(s) to impose.
When are the findings of a Disciplinary Panel communicated?
Findings are communicated as soon as is reasonably practicable after the relevant hearing.
The CDP disciplinary panel’s written reasons are published in full unless it determines that doing so would be inappropriate.
Find more information here.
Is there an appeals process?
The Cricket Regulator or the relevant defendant may appeal a decision of a CDP disciplinary panel in accordance with the appeal provisions in the Disciplinary Procedure Regulations. Any such appeal needs to be lodged within 14 days of the relevant CDP disciplinary panel decision.