(Based on an exercise from the EBL Workshop)
Match-Pointed Pairs competition.
North opens a weak 2♥, after which East and South both pass. Whilst West is thinking about a possible bid, East leads his ♠9 face-up.
Director!
The Director rules that this is a ‘Premature Lead During the Auction’, and refers to Law 24B, which requires West to pass at his next turn to call. Moreover he advises West that he should not use any unauthorised information from East’s lead card. West per-force passes, and the lead stands (penalty card – Law 24E). North duly goes one-off for -50.