Taking a serious note of the race row involving Harbhajan Singh [Images] and Andrew Symonds [Images], the ICC [Images] on Saturday roped in reputed British lawyer Nigel Peters to advice match referee Mike Procter during the disciplinary hearing against the Indian off-spinner in Sydney 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 hadassisted 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 told PTI.

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.

he charge was laid by match umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor after yesterday's play following a complaint from Australia captain Ricky Ponting [Images].

The complaint was made by Ponting after the 116th over of India's first innings, prior to which Harbhajan is alleged to have directed a racist comment at Symonds.

The alleged offence falls under 3.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct which refers to players or team officials "using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethic origin".

If found guilty, Harbhajan could face a ban of between two and four Test matches or between four and eight ODIs.