British lawyer to advice Procter during Harbhajan hearing

Agencies

Posted online: Saturday, January 05, 2008 at 0000 hrs IST

Sydney, January 5:
Taking a serious note of the race row involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds, the ICC roped in reputed British lawyer Nigel Peters to advice match referee Mike Procter during the disciplinary hearing against the Indian off-spinner on Sunday.

Peters, who is currently in the city, will advice Procter and the two teams -- India and Australia -- on procedural matters during the hearing.

The ICC has taken the Australian team's allegations against Harbhajan very seriously as it is a level 3 offence.

When contacted, an ICC spokesman in Dubai confirmed that Peters had been asked to be a part of the proceedings.

The spokesman revealed that the British lawyer had assisted the ICC in some cases in the past and is regarded very highly by the legal fraternity.

"We are taking the whole issue very seriously and that is the reason why Nigel Peters has been asked to attend the hearing," the spokesman said.

Harbhajan was charged last night under Level 3 of the ICC's Code of Conduct following his run-in with Symonds at the Sydney Cricket Ground.