Resolving disputes

I think that the Commitee should take these recent classifieds based disputes offline immediately. Set a time limit for a result, do their best to mediate between the two parties in that short, agreed period of time and then post up the results, whether they be good, bad or inconclusive. Given the rarity of instances such as these I don't think this is particularly onerous.

Club judgement should be based on the 3rd parties' willingness to communicate, cooperate, compromise and deliver on any agreement made within the bounds of the time limit.

The bottom line is that the club ought to have a stab at resolution as a matter of due diligence (and club harmony) and then publicly state its position on a dispute, backed by the classifieds disclaimer policy of: 'no matter what the outcome, it isn't the club responsibility'.

Here's something that should be added to the classifieds rules (if it isn't already), as advice: Any payments or parcels sent without a tracking facility will hinder the club's ability to mediate and result in a less than satisfactory outcome in the event of a dispute, for which the club cannot and will not be held responsible.

Banning members should be discretionary upon completion of the process. Then that's the end of it.