NZ Judge appointed Commissioner for Harbhajan's appeal hearing

Canberra, Jan 9 (UNI) ICC today appointed Justice John Hansen to hear the appeal of Harbhajan Singh against the finding that the India spinner was guilty of making a racist remark to Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second Test at Sydney.

Justice Hansen is a High Court Judge in his native New Zealand and Country's Cricket's appointment on the ICC Code of Conduct Commission.

No time, date or venue for the appeal have yet been fixed. The process indicates that the appeal should be heard within seven days of the commissioner being appointed.

However, this time period may be extended if circumstances dictate.

In the meantime, according to the Code of Conduct regulations, Harbhajan may continue to play, till the time the verdict is given.

Under the provisions of the ICC Code of Conduct, Justice Hansen has the power to increase, decrease, amend or otherwise substitute his own decision from that made at the previous hearing, and his decision is final and binding.

The ICC received official notification of the appeal from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday and the ICC Senior Counsel and Company Secretary Urvasi Naidoo appointed Justice Hansen today in line with ICC Code of Conduct processes.

Justice Hansen will now make preparations for the appeal hearing.

Once Justice Hansen has reached his decision, he must provide it in writing to Ms Naidoo, who will then forward it to Harbhajan, Procter and ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed ahead of any public announcement.

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