Fair Play

Dispute Resolution Committee & Process

A: Vision & Mission 

The Global Bridge League aims to foster a vibrant international bridge community, primarily engaging bridge enthusiasts from the Bengali-speaking diaspora while welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. Our mission is to:

1. Organise regular, friendly, and competitive tournaments that promote fellowship and camaraderie within the Global Bridge League community. 

2. Encourage beginners to learn the game and provide opportunities for experienced players to enhance their skills through mutual learning and collaboration. 

B: Establishment of the Resolution Committee 

On March 7, 2021, at 7:00 PM (MST), members of the Global Bridge Group convened via Zoom and unanimously agreed to establish the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) to oversee and resolve disputes arising within the league.

C: DRC Composition & Tenure

1. The DRC will be formed before each tournament to address disputes that arise during the event.

2. The committee will consist of a five-member panel, each representing a different team.

3. The DRC will be led by a Chairperson, who will serve as the sole spokesperson for the committee’s decisions.

4. The committee's tenure will run from the start of one tournament until the day before the next tournament begins.
   
   
   

D: Recusal & Substitution 

1. Recusal: Committee members must recuse themselves from deliberations if their team or a team member is directly involved in the dispute.

2. Substitution: If a member recuses, the Chairperson will appoint a substitute from an unrepresented team. If the Chairperson must recuse himself, he will transfer his authority to another committee member for the dispute under consideration.

E: Lodgement of Dispute 

1. At the beginning of each tournament, the Tournament Director will provide the email and WhatsApp contact details of the DRC Chairperson.

2. Complaints must be submitted to the DRC Chairperson via email or WhatsApp and should contain sufficient details for a thorough examination of the issue.

F: DRC Mandate

The DRC is responsible for overseeing and resolving all disputes and complaints related to Global Bridge League activities.

G: Types of Disputes 

Disputes and complaints are classified into two categories:

1. Type A: Disputes related to gameplay, including bidding, bid queries, alerts (or lack thereof), and communication on the chat board.

2. Type B: Disputes unrelated to gameplay, such as inappropriate or disrespectful posts on the Global Bridge League’s WhatsApp group (Global Bridge Group).

H: Dispute Resolution Process

The dispute resolution process follows a structured three-step approach:

1. Lodgment of the Complaint

• All complaints must be submitted in writing via email or private WhatsApp message to the DRC Chairperson.

• The complainant may be:

(i) A team captain lodging a complaint on behalf of their team.

(ii) An individual member lodging a complaint in their personal capacity.

• The complainant will be referred to as PARTY A, while the respondent (the person or team being complained against) will be PARTY B.

• Upon receiving a complaint, the DRC Chairperson will present it to the committee for review.

2. Dispute Resolution

• The DRC will evaluate the merits of PARTY A’s complaint and may request a written response from PARTY B.

• After reviewing all perspectives, the DRC will render a decision, which may include the following outcomes:

  • Dismissal: If there is insufficient evidence to validate the complaint.

  • Warning: Issued to a player or team for rule violations or unethical conduct (applies to both Type A and Type B complaints), requiring at least 4-1 majority vote.

  • Point Penalty: Applied to Type A disputes relating to a specific board or match (requires at least 4-1 majority vote).

  • Player/Team Ban: The most severe consequence for Type A complaints, requiring a unanimous vote by all DRC members with all members voting.

3. Communication & Confidentiality

• Strict confidentiality will be maintained throughout the dispute resolution process.

• The resolution process will remain fully transparent to both parties, but the details must not be discussed publicly by the involved parties or committee members.

I: Record of Disputes 

All disputes, from the initial complaint to the resolution, must be documented in a standardized format within this document.

Dispute Records:

Dispute #1

• Date:

• PARTY A:

• PARTY B:

• Description of Complaint (one paragraph):

• DRC Deliberations (one paragraph):

• Resolution and Communication with Both Parties (one paragraph):

Dispute #2

(Continue as needed)

Past Incidents and Decisions

(To be added soon)