Somerset are prepared for a legal battle should Middlesex win their appeal against the points deduction which contributed to their relegation from Specsavers County Championship Division One.
Middlesex were docked two points for a slow over-rate during their match against Surrey in August, which was abandoned when a crossbow bolt was fired into The Oval.
The county were subsequently relegated by one point after losing their final match of the season to Somerset, who maintained their top-flight status as a result of the victory.
The England and Wales Cricket Board on Wednesday confirmed the 2016 champions had appealed against the punishment and that prompted Somerset to contact their lawyers.
"We're confident the decision of the ECB is one which will stand," Somerset chief executive Lee Cooper said in a statement.
"However, as a precautionary measure we've instructed a leading London-based law firm to prepare our case should the inconceivable happen. If the decision is taken to reinstate the points, we will be well placed to challenge this.
"Clearly our tactics for the last few games of the season were determined by the points we needed to achieve in order to avoid relegation, and for this goalpost to move retrospectively would be inequitable to say the least.
"We are assured by the ECB that this point is understood, and consequently we're hoping for a swift conclusion in the next few days."
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