Radio Society of Great Britain – Contest Committee


RSGB - Contest Committee

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     Appeals Process
    1.  An entrant who is concerned with the imposition of a penalty must in the first instance seek clarification from the adjudicator. This should be done as soon as practical after the results have been published on the Contest Committee website.
    2.  The adjudicator will provide the entrant with a summary of the evidence on which the penalty was based.
    3.  If this does not resolve the matter, the entrant may discuss the matter with the Chair of the Contest Committee (chairman@rsgbcc.org).  The evidence that caused the penalty to be imposed will be provided to the entrant (if it has not already been provided by the adjudicator).
    4.  If the matter cannot be resolved between the entrant and the Chair of the Contest Committee, the entrant may lodge a formal appeal with the Chair of Contest Committee stating the grounds for appeal and providing any evidence supporting their case.
    5.  The Chair of the Contest Committee will convene a panel of three members of the Contest Committee who have not taken part in the adjudication of the contest that is the matter of dispute to consider the evidence.
    6.  The adjudicator may be called by the panel to explain why the penalty was imposed.
    7.  The panel may find in favour of the entrant (quash or reduce the penalty), or may increase the penalty. Any additional evidence uncovered by the Contest Committee appeals panel to support the case for a penalty will be shared with the entrant.
    8.  If the entrant is not satisfied and:
      1.  The issue is matter of RSGB policy, or
      2.  The issue is one where the Contest Committee has a conflict of interest, or
      3.  The issue is one of maladministration by the Contest Committee,

      the entrant should discuss the matter with the Board member responsible for liaising with the Contest Committee (ccbm@rsgb.org.uk).

    9.  The Contest Committee will provide the Board member with the evidence that formed the basis of the penalty and the formal report of the Contest Committee appeals panel.  
    10.  The Board member may speak with the adjudicator and/or members of the panel to provide mediation. If the matter remains unresolved, the entrant may lodge an appeal with the RSGB president who will convene a panel to investigate the matter.
    11.  No member of the panel may have previously been involved in the contest or the adjudication or appeal process. The panel will report to the RSGB board who may quash the penalty or refer the matter back to the Contest Committee with a recommended reduction or increase of the penalty.
    12.  The decision of the RSGB Board is final.
     Frivolous/excessive questioning or appeals
    1.  Abuse of the adjudication and the appeals process by excessive or frivolous questioning of results or submission of appeals is disrespectful to the volunteers who give their time in the adjudication of contests, management of the RSGB, and thus to the membership as a whole.
    2.  Abuse of the adjudication process will result in a warning being issued to the entrant by the Chair of the Contest Committee.
    3.  If the entrant continues to abuse the adjudication process, an immediate disqualification from the event may be issued.
    4.  After three such disqualifications a ban from participation in any RSGB contest for a period of up to five years may be issued.  The length of the ban will be determined by the Chair of the Contest Committee or the RSGB board (if appropriate).
     Abuse
    1.  The protection of: other contesters, witnesses to either breaches of the rules or to bad sportsmanship, RSGB members, and RSGB officials from abuse is of overwhelming importance.
    2.  Any intimidation or abusive behaviour by an entrant, or team member of an entrant towards any of the above may result in a formal warning or immediate disqualification.
    3.  After three such disqualifications a ban from participation in any RSGB contest for a period of up to five years may be issued.  The length of the ban will be determined by the Chair of the contest committee or the RSGB board.
    4.  Any disqualification or ban for such behaviour will be reported to the RSGB board at the earliest opportunity.