Darwin & Districts CC - Resources

NT Cricket Disciplinary Process

NT Cricket Disciplinary Process

1. Introduction

This document outlines the Disciplinary Procedures for NT Cricket competitions, covering reporting, hearings, appeals, and penalties. It is designed to provide a transparent, fair, and efficient system that upholds the spirit of cricket while embedding the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.

Tribunal and Appeals outcomes will be published via the NT Cricket Conducts Register.

2. Disciplinary Principles

2.1 Natural Justice and Procedural Fairness

  • Be informed of the charge and the evidence relied upon.
  • Be heard and present a response.
  • Have the matter determined by an independent and unbiased panel.
  • Be represented by an advocate if they choose.
  • Appeal a decision in accordance with these procedures.

2.2 Scope

Applies to all participants in NT Cricket competitions and programs, including:

  • Players, coaches, team leaders, officials, volunteers, parents, spectators, and registered persons.

3. Disciplinary Framework Summary

  1. Incident Occurs
  2. Notice of Incident Submitted
  3. Disciplinary Panel Review
  4. Charge Laid & Notification
  5. Option to Accept (Fixed Penalty) or Contest
  6. Contested charges proceed to a Tribunal Hearing
  7. Tribunal Hearing held
  8. Tribunal Decision issued
  9. Right to Appeal exercised (if applicable)
  10. Appeals Panel determines final outcome
  11. Outcome communicated and recorded

4. NT Cricket Disciplinary Panel

4.1 Appointment

A formal pool of 5–7 Disciplinary Panel members will be appointed annually by NT Cricket.

4.2 Panel Composition

  • Tribunal Panel: Tribunal Chair + 2 panel members.
  • Appeals Panel: 3 members, separate from the original hearing.

5. Reporting & Notice of Incident

5.1 Submitting a Notice

  • Submitted by umpires, club officials, or NT Cricket representatives within 24 hours of the incident.
  • Lodged via the official online portal or email.

5.2 Review

The NT Cricket Disciplinary Panel will review and determine if a formal charge is warranted.

5.3 Notification of Charge

NT Cricket will notify the player and club by 12:00 pm on the next business day detailing:

  • The charge, applicable fixed penalty (if any), and available options.

5.4 Resolution Options

  • Accept the charge → Fixed Penalty applied.
  • Contest the charge → Matter proceeds to a Tribunal Hearing.

6. Tribunal Hearing Process

6.1 Hearing Procedure

  • Notice of Hearing and procedures provided to participants.
  • Hearings may be recorded with prior notice.

6.2 Attendance

  • Tribunal Chair and Panel Members
  • Reporting Umpire(s) and Advocate
  • Charged Participant and Advocate
  • Witnesses (as required)

6.3 Procedure Steps

  1. Reading of charge and plea.
  2. Evidence from Reporting Party.
  3. Cross-examination.
  4. Respondent's statement.
  5. Witnesses and questioning.
  6. Tribunal deliberation.
  7. Decision and sanction communicated.
  8. Right to appeal explained.

6.4 Tribunal Decision-Making Principles

Standard of Proof: Tribunal decides on the balance of probabilities.

Comfortable Satisfaction: For serious misconduct (e.g., vilification or discrimination), the Tribunal must be comfortably satisfied.

Onus of Proof: There is no onus on the participant to prove or disprove the alleged breach. NT Cricket or the Reporting Party must prove the breach.

7. Appeals Process

7.1 Lodging an Appeal

  • Must be submitted within 5 business days.
  • Must specify grounds (procedural error, severity, new evidence).
  • $200 fee applies (refunded if successful).

7.2 Appeals Panel

Comprised of members not involved in the original hearing.

7.3 Appeal Procedure

  • Reviews all documentation and submissions.
  • Can confirm, vary, or overturn the Tribunal’s decision.

7.4 Appeals Standard of Review

  • Procedural fairness was provided.
  • The decision was reasonably open to the Tribunal given the evidence.
  • The sanction was proportionate.
  • New evidence unavailable at the time has emerged.
  • Full rehearing only if serious procedural irregularity or new evidence exists.

8. Sanctions & Suspensions

8.1 Fixed Penalties

Applied according to the NT Cricket Fixed Penalties Policy.

Early Guilty Plea and Good Behaviour Penalty may apply where eligible.

8.2 Suspended Sentences

Activated if further offences occur within 12 months.

8.3 Serving Suspensions

  • Suspended players are ineligible to participate in any NT Cricket competition until their playing day suspension has been fully served.
  • The grade order for serving suspensions is as follows: A, T20, B, Sun1, C, Sun2, Women, D, Sun3, U18s, Juniors.
  • If a player has played across multiple grades, the suspension must be served in the highest grade where they have played in any of the last three fixtures of that grade.
  • If the player has not played at least one of their last three matches in a grade, they are not eligible to serve the suspension in that grade.
  • Suspensions cannot be served in byes, forfeits, or abandoned matches.

9. Administration & Documentation

  • NT Cricket manages all correspondence, notifications, and records.
  • Standard templates used throughout the process.
  • Secure storage of all documentation.
  • Outcomes published according to NT Cricket’s transparency guidelines.

10. Policy Review

  • Reviewed annually by NT Cricket.
  • Changes approved by the NT Cricket Competitions Committee.

In keeping with our commitment to reconciliation, Northern Territory Cricket acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we are privileged to play and administer the great game of cricket.

Our Head Office is located on the land of the Larrakia People (Darwin), while our Central Australian Office is located on the land of the Arrernte People (Alice Springs). We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Walkabout Wickets by Kirrae Whurrong artist Fiona Clarke (b.1963), represents cricket stars past, present and future, and the meeting places where they play.

Aunty Fiona is is a descendant of James 'Mosquito' Couzens and his brother Jonny Couzens, members of the first Australian cricket team who toured England in 1868.