Lancashire League Handbook 2025

LCL Handbook 2025 256 28 (taking on a fact-finding approach to get to the bottom of the situation as it is alleged) rather than adversarial and oppositional (which is the approach taken in criminal or civil proceedings). The Disciplinary Panel Chair should make clear that the parties will have the opportunity to raise any matters they consider relevant to determining whether the charge(s) can be made out and allow for an appropriate length of Hearing to provide sufficient time for this. 9.6. All parties should be given information explaining that they will have the opportunity to put forward any observations, question the other party or parties, and/or make any submissions on the matter (including in relation to the other side’s evidence). 9.7. The Disciplinary Panel Chair and Disciplinary Panel should: (a) seek to ensure thatwitnesses arenotpresent in the roombeingused for theHearing until the time that they are required to give their evidence when they should be called into the room on an individual basis; and (b) ask each party, as part of their submissions, to outline any factors that the Disciplinary Panel should consider in determining an appropriate sanction in the event that the alleged breach is found to be proven, with reference to the ranges prescribed in Appendix 3 of the Regulations. 9.8. Disciplinary Panels should seek to ensure that decisions are produced within 7 days of the respective Hearing. E. Relevant Cricket Organisations may stipulate a set timeframe for the Respondent to respond to the Charge Letter, provided that the Disciplinary Panel Chair will have the power to grant the Respondent additional time to respond to the Charge Letter in appropriate circumstances. F. RelevantCricket OrganisationsmaystipulatehowaHearingwill typicallyproceed,provided that the Disciplinary Panel Chair will have the power to alter these directions in appropriate circumstances. 10. Balance of Probabilities (Regulations 26, 35 and 54) 10.1. Adjudicators, Disciplinary Panels and Appeals Panels will determine matters on the “ balance of probabilities ”. This means that when the Adjudicator or relevant panel is considering whether the alleged breach has been committed or not, they must be satisfied that it is“more likely thannot” that theallegedbreach tookplace, takingaccount of the evidence submitted and heard. Therefore, the Adjudicator or relevant panel do not have to be absolutely sure that it took place but satisfied that it is more likely that it did. 11. Sanctions 11.1. As noted in Appendix 3, it is important for decisions to be clear about the scope of any ban, including when a specific time period starts and ends. In the interests of clarity, it is therefore suggested that Disciplinary Panels and Appeal Panels adopt the following template wording, amended as appropriate for the circumstances: “The [Disciplinary Panel/Appeal Panel] imposes a [X match ban]. This ban will apply to all cricket, be effective immediately and remain on [the Respondent’s] record for 24 calendar months from the date of the breach. The ban will therefore be served in the next [Match/X Matches] [Respondent] is due to participate in, regardless of whether [that match/those Matches] [is/are] in an ECB Competition.” OR “The [Disciplinary Panel/Appeal Panel] imposes a ban of [X days], which will commence on [Y] and end on [Z] (the “ Period ”). This ban will apply to all cricket, be effective immediately