Richard Whittam KC has been appointed chair of the Cricket Self-discipline Panel (CDP), a brand new unbiased tribunal which can take over from the Cricket Self-discipline Fee because the physique to listen to and adjudicate on regulatory breaches in English skilled cricket and subsequent sanctions handed out.
Whittam’s appointment, made by the ECB board for a four-year time period, comes after an open recruitment course of. The 64-year-old is a specialist regulatory and felony barrister with a background in sport.
After serving as a deputy excessive courtroom decide between 2016 and 2022, Whittam was appointed because the Rugby Soccer Union’s Head of Unbiased Judiciary final 12 months. He has chaired self-discipline, safeguarding and attraction panels in rugby union since 2014. Whittam can be a member of the Phrase Rugby and European Skilled Membership Rugby Judicial Panels.
Whittam can be chargeable for presiding over particular disciplinary instances, and appointing the opposite members of the CDP who possess an acceptable vary of abilities and variety. As soon as they’re in place, the panel will start contemplating instances, taking on this function from the present CDC, which is chaired by Tim O’Gorman.
The vast majority of instances delivered to the panel will relate to breaches of the ECB’s Skilled Conduct Rules, however may also embrace different rules such because the Anti-Corruption code, Participant and Match Officers’ Minimal Requirements, Cricket Taking part in Situations, Bowling Overview Rules, Pitch Rules and Head Protector Rules.
Talking on his appointment, Whittam mentioned: “I’m delighted to be appointed to this necessary function. It’s critical to the integrity of cricket that the game’s guidelines and rules are upheld. As the primary Chair of the CDP I sit up for getting the Panel up and working and making certain that instances are handled promptly, in a good, thorough and clear method.”
ECB chair Richard Thompson mentioned: “The unbiased Cricket Self-discipline Panel will play an necessary function in imposing cricket’s rules and coping with any misconduct and regulatory breaches. Richard Whittam KC has a powerful background in legislation and sports activities self-discipline which makes him the best particular person to chair the Panel.
“I would prefer to cross on my honest because of Tim O’Gorman and all of the panel members from the Cricket Self-discipline Fee for the service they’ve given the sport over a few years. They’ve carried out an necessary responsibility in imposing cricket’s rules, and I am grateful for his or her continued service whereas the brand new Cricket Self-discipline Panel members are recruited.”
