Wikibooks:Arbitration
From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection
Arbitration is a last resort when there is a significant interpersonal dispute that cannot be resolved through other means. It is to be used only when other methods recommended for solving disputes have been tried and failed. The arbitration process is designed to prevent interpersonal disputes from becoming free-for-alls involving the whole community in rancor and distracting the community from its primary mission.
Arbitration should never be used to change existing policies and any decisions is limited to that single arbitration and the participants. In arbitration, the conflicting parties agree to the help of arbitrators who will make a decision on the matter. Decisions, the results are considered final and binding. Participants may not appeal the outcome of the arbitration.
The arbitrators serve as stand-ins for the whole Wikibooks community. They should remember that their decision only stands because the community accepts it and should take their position as a representative of the whole Wikibooks community seriously. All Wikibookians should remember that arbitration is a difficult job and that perfect solutions are rarely possible. In many cases, none of the parties will be completely satisfied with the outcome.
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[edit] Arbitration Procedure
A panel of arbitrators, known as the Wikibooks:Arbitration Committee, will hear the case, listen to community input, decide questions in dispute and prescribe remedies. Wikibooks:Dispute resolution must be completed before referring a dispute to arbitration.
[edit] Initiation Stage
An arbitration page will be created. This page will include the scope of the arbitration, involved parties, initial questions to be decided, agreements to arbitration and expected time frames for completion. Disputants will be informed that they may not change the text of pages that are material to the dispute. Experienced Wikibookians who are willing to stand as arbitrators will identify themselves. A panel consisting of one or more arbitrators will be selected by mutual agreement of the parties involved in the dispute.
[edit] Personal Statements Stage
All involved parties will state their position. This statement will include their stance on the dispute, additional points of contention, accusations of wrongdoing, and supporting evidence. Direct responses to accusations from other parties should be saved for later and direct argument will not be tolerated. Wikibooks:Be civil and Wikibooks:No personal attacks will be strictly enforced. The questions to be decided section of the document will be expanded to include new points of contention revealed in personal statements.
The personal statements stage will take no less than two weeks. The Arbitration Committee may not enter comments at this stage so that they remain impartial.
[edit] Rebuttal and Remedies Stage
All parties are given a chance to respond to all accusations and offer a rebuttal. Specific potential remedies should also be suggested. During this phase, arbitrators can also ask direct questions of parties for the purpose of clarification.
During this phase a community section will be created where the community can voice its opinion. Anyone who has something to say related to the dispute can make comments. Comments can be marked with Comment. Suggestions for possible remedies can be marked with Suggestion. Those who agree with the solution can mark their response with Support and those who disagree can mark their response with Oppose. Parties to the dispute would specifically be precluded from posting in this section.
[edit] Decision Stage
The arbitrators will offer their opinions on the questions to be decided and any additional accusations of wrongdoing (findings of fact). The arbiters will take into account all of the information presented including the opinions of the community. The arbiters will deliver opinions about all questions identified in the scope as well as a final verdict and remedies.
[edit] Current Arbitrations
This is a list of various arbitration cases that are currently occurring on Wikibooks.
[edit] Past Arbitrations
This is a list of previous arbitration cases.
