agentic-govbot/templates/dispute-resolution/community-referee.md

Community Referee Dispute Resolution

A streamlined process where a single trained referee facilitates and decides on dispute resolution

This dispute resolution protocol can be integrated into any governance constitution as an article on conflict resolution.

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Article: Dispute Resolution

Section 1: Principles and Values

Core Values This community emphasizes:

1. Efficiency - Streamlining resolution to minimize time and resources
2. Fairness - Equal treatment and impartial review
3. Expertise - Trained referees understand community standards
4. Practicality - Focus on workable solutions
5. Consistency - Applying standards uniformly
6. Respect - Dignity for all parties throughout process

The Referee Approach Single-referee model provides:

• Quick response to disputes
• Expert application of standards
• Efficient use of community resources
• Consistency in decision-making
• Clear accountability

Documentation

• Comprehensive digital handbook on community website
• Searchable by topic and keyword
• Periodic workshops on process
• Updates communicated regularly
• Bot maintains current materials

Section 2: Scope and Jurisdiction

What Referees Handle Referee process covers:

• Community agreement disputes
• Resource allocation conflicts
• Interpersonal conflicts between members
• Minor property disputes
• Policy compliance matters
• Procedure interpretation questions

Appropriate Cases Best suited for:

• Routine disputes with clear standards
• Situations needing quick resolution
• Disagreements about facts or application
• Cases without complex emotional dynamics
• Matters where fair decision can be reached efficiently

Escalation to Other Processes Some disputes better handled elsewhere:

• Complex emotional conflicts → mediation or circles
• Serious harm → restorative/transformative justice
• Major policy questions → governance body
• Legal violations → authorities as needed

Section 3: The Referee Pool

Referee Qualifications Referees must have:

• Deep knowledge of community standards
• Dispute resolution training
• Demonstrated fairness and impartiality
• Strong analytical skills
• Communication abilities
• Community trust

Referee Training Training includes:

• Community values and constitution
• Conflict resolution techniques
• Evidence evaluation
• Decision-making frameworks
• Cultural competency
• Managing difficult dynamics
• Bot systems and documentation

Maintaining the Pool

• Community maintains roster of trained referees
• Regular refresher training
• Performance review and feedback
• Addition of new referees as needed
• Bot tracks availability and assignments

Section 4: Initiating the Process

Dispute Submission Party submits request via @govbot including:

• Parties involved
• Nature of dispute
• Relevant facts and timeline
• Evidence or documentation
• What outcome is sought
• Urgency level

Initial Review Within 2 business days:

• Coordinator reviews submission
• Confirms eligibility for referee process
• Determines complexity level
• Assigns referee
• Notifies all parties

Referee Assignment Target within 5 days:

• Referee assigned based on availability and expertise
• Parties notified of referee identity
• Can object if conflict of interest
• New referee assigned if valid objection
• Bot tracks assignments and prevents conflicts

Section 5: Referee Process

Intake Phase Referee conducts initial work:

• Interviews with each party separately (30-60 min)
• Reviews documentation and evidence
• Identifies key issues and questions
• Determines if joint session needed
• Develops process plan

Joint Session (if needed) When parties meet together:

• Referee maintains control of process
• Structured speaking protocols
• Time limits ensure efficiency
• Focus on facts and resolution
• Typically 60-90 minutes

Additional Information Gathering Referee may:

• Request additional documentation
• Interview witnesses
• Consult community standards
• Review precedents
• Seek expert input if needed

Section 6: Ground Rules and Structure

Process Rules All participants agree to:

• Equal opportunity to present perspectives
• No interruption during presentations
• Respectful language and tone
• Truthful statements
• Time limits respected
• Referee's process authority

Structured Speaking

• Each party presents uninterrupted
• Specific time allocated (typically 10-15 min)
• Questions asked through referee
• Rebuttals brief and focused
• Closing statements (5 min)

Confidentiality Protocols

• Case information shared only with referee and parties
• Witnesses get only relevant information
• Decision may be published (anonymized)
• Sensitive details protected
• Exceptions for safety concerns

Section 7: Dispute Assessment

Referee Analysis Referee evaluates:

• Agreed facts and disputed facts
• Applicable community standards
• Credibility of evidence
• Context and history
• Whether new issue or ongoing pattern
• Impact on parties and community

Standards Application Referee consults:

• Community constitution
• Relevant policies
• Code of conduct
• Past referee decisions (precedents)
• Community values
• Bot provides searchable access

Fact-Finding Through evidence evaluation:

• Review of submissions
• Witness statements
• Documentary evidence
• Community standards
• Contextual factors
• Precedent review

Section 8: Handling Non-Participation

When Party Doesn't Engage Members expected to participate but:

• Process may proceed without active participation
• Decisions made based on available information
• Non-participating party still bound by decision
• Noted in decision rationale

For Non-Members

• Process is voluntary
• Cannot compel participation
• Limited decisions possible without full participation
• May recommend separation or boundaries

Good Faith Requirement Parties expected to:

• Participate honestly
• Provide requested information
• Respect process
• Accept referee authority
• Implement decision

Section 9: Deliberation and Decision

Referee Deliberation Referee considers:

• All evidence and testimony
• Applicable standards
• Precedents
• Practical implications
• Community values
• Fair and workable outcomes

Structured Discussion Before final decision:

• Referee summarizes points of agreement and disagreement
• Identifies key questions
• Discusses potential outcomes with parties
• Reality-tests proposed solutions
• Allows final statements

Participants Throughout process:

• Primary parties - Present case and participate
• Referee - Facilitates and decides
• Support persons - May attend for emotional support
• Witnesses - Provide information if called
• Coordinator - Handles administrative logistics

Section 10: The Decision

Written Determination Referee provides written decision within one week including:

• Clear finding or determination
• Summary of relevant facts
• Application of community standards
• Reasoning for decision
• Specific requirements or remedies
• Implementation timeline
• Follow-up if needed

Types of Decisions Referee may:

• Determine facts
• Interpret policy application
• Assign responsibility
• Order specific actions
• Require apologies or acknowledgment
• Mandate restitution or repair
• Set boundaries or separation
• Recommend policy changes

Decision Communication

• Decision sent to all parties
• Submitted to @govbot for records
• Anonymized summary published to community
• Implementation coordinator notified
• Bot tracks and monitors compliance

Section 11: Implementation

Carrying Out Decisions

• Bot executes authorized actions where possible
• Parties responsible for their requirements
• Coordinator monitors compliance
• Regular check-ins scheduled
• Support provided as needed

Compliance Tracking

• Deadlines tracked by bot
• Parties report completion
• Coordinator verifies
• Community notified if non-compliance
• May escalate if requirements not met

When Implementation Fails If party doesn't comply:

• Coordinator contacts party
• Understands barriers
• Referee may modify if circumstances changed
• Escalate to governance body if willful non-compliance
• May result in further consequences

Section 12: Escalation Options

When Referee Process Insufficient Some cases need escalation:

• Three-referee panel - For complex cases needing multiple perspectives
• Mediation - For cases needing facilitated dialogue
• Governance body - For policy questions or major decisions
• Professional services - For specialized expertise
• Legal processes - When outside community jurisdiction

Requesting Escalation Either party or referee can request:

• Submit escalation request to coordinator
• Explain why current process insufficient
• Coordinator determines appropriate path
• New process initiated
• Original referee decision may be suspended

Section 13: Appeals Process

Grounds for Appeal Appeals accepted only for:

• Significant new information not previously available
• Misapplication of community standards
• Procedural errors affecting fairness
• Evidence of referee bias
• Decision implementation proving impossible

Filing an Appeal Within 14 days of decision:

• Submit appeal to Appeals Committee via @govbot
• Explain specific grounds
• Provide supporting information
• Pay fee if applicable (refunded if appeal successful)

Appeals Committee Three-referee panel reviews:

• Committee evaluates appeal grounds
• Decides if criteria met
• Reviews within 10 days
• Can request additional information
• Determines: dismiss, modify, or overturn

Senior Referee Review If appeals committee accepts:

• Senior referee assigned for review
• Reviews all materials
• May conduct limited hearing
• Issues final determination
• Decision is binding

Section 14: Information and Records

Record Keeping Bot maintains:

• All dispute submissions
• Evidence and documentation
• Referee determinations
• Implementation status
• Appeals and outcomes
• Anonymized statistics

Community Access Members can access:

• Anonymized decision summaries
• Precedent database
• Process statistics
• Training materials
• FAQ and guidance

Privacy Protection Confidential information:

• Party identities (in published decisions)
• Sensitive personal details
• Private communications
• Referee deliberation notes

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Implementation Notes for Bot

When supporting community referee process:

1. Efficient coordination - Move process quickly through stages
2. Referee support - Provide information access and documentation tools
3. Track precedents - Build searchable database of decisions
4. Monitor implementation - Automated tracking and reminders
5. Escalation pathways - Clear routing to appropriate alternatives
6. Maintain consistency - Flag conflicts with past decisions
7. Statistics and learning - Track patterns and outcomes

This process works best when:

• Community values efficiency
• Trained referees available and trusted
• Cases generally straightforward
• Quick resolution important
• Standards clearly documented
• Community respects referee authority
• Appeal paths available for errors