Chapter 11 · Arbitration & Interpretation of Rules · p.71
11.1General Principles
Administration – Occasional disputes are inevitable in any competitive activity governed by rules. It is recognized that at the more significant match levels the outcome is much more important to the individual competitor. However, effective match administration and planning will prevent most if not all disputes.
Access - Appeals may be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the following rules for any matter except where specifically denied by another rule. Appeals arising from a disqualification for a safety infraction will only be accepted to determine whether exceptional circumstances warrant reconsideration of the match disqualification. The commission of the infraction as described by the is only subject to challenge or appeal with digital evidence. Challenges to the construction or layout of the course, safety, or shooting conditions may not be submitted after the competitor attempts the . a course of fire be changed after the competitor completes the stage, he is entitled to the process under appeals providing that no DQ has occurred.
Appeals--the Range officer makes decisions initially. If the appellant disagrees with a decision, the Chief Range Officer for the stage or area in question should be asked to rule. If a disagreement still exists, the Range Master must be asked to rule. Digital evidence, e.g., video, audio, photographic or other can be presented and reviewed.
11.1.3.1 Digital evidence submitted for appeal shall only be used to rule on the matter which is under appeal.
Appeal to Committee – the appellant continue to disagree with the decision he may appeal to the Arbitration Committee by submitting a first party appeal, subsequent to the conditions listed in 11.1.2.
Retain Evidence – An appellant is required to inform the Range Master of his wish to present his appeal to the Arbitration Committee and may request that the officials retain any and all relevant documentary or other evidence pending the hearing. Digital evidence must be provided to the Range Master immediately upon request for arbitration. Evidence may be provided by any viable means of transfer (cloud-based file sharing, text, email, etc.). The file(s) provided to the RM will be the only digital evidence accepted at arbitration.
Preparing the Appeal – The appellant is responsible for the preparation and delivery of the written submission, together with the appropriate fee. The submission must include relevant rule(s) to support the appeal. Both the submission and the fee must be submitted to the Range Master within the specified period of time. If not properly prepared, the Range Master will return the appeal to the competitor who will prepare it correctly and return it to the Range Master within the specified period of time.
’s Duty – Any Match Official in receipt of a request for arbitration must, without delay, inform the Range Master and must note the identities of all witnesses and officials involved and pass this information on to the Range Master.
Match Director’s Duty – Upon receiving the appeal from the Range Master, the Match Director must convene the Arbitration Committee in a place of privacy as soon as possible.
Arbitration Committee's Duty – The Arbitration Committee is bound to observe and apply the current USPSA Rules and to deliver a decision consistent with those rules. Where rules require interpretation or where an incident is not specifically covered by the rules, the Arbitration Committee will use their best judgment consistent with the intent of the rules. The Committee must confer with the Match Director and Range Master before changing or removing a from the match.