Although afdec expects that its members will offer the highest standards of service, there will inevitably be occasions where disputes arise. The afdec Arbitration Service has been created to provide support where there is a dispute relating to the work or services provided by an afdec Member. The Service is managed by the afdec Arbitration Committee which is chaired by the incumbent Chairman and supported, where necessary, by two independent arbiters. In this instance, the term "independent" indicates that the arbiters are acceptable both to the afdec "member in dispute" and to the complainant. A decision to use the afdec Arbitration Service requires prior agreement by both parties involved that they will accept the final arbitration of the Committee. The process is as follows: Stage 1: The afdec Member or the complainant contacts the afdec Secretariat and requests the involvement of the afdec Arbitration Service. Stage 2: The Chairman of the Arbitration Committee will respond on a confidential basis i.e. the matter will not be discussed at this stage with any individual within afdec or outside its membership. If the matter is perceived to require arbitration rather than simple advice, the Chairman of the Arbitration Committee (or his representative) will then make initial contact with the two parties on an individual basis. At this stage, the afdec member involved is requested to commit to a minimum charge of £350.00 which is refundable in whole or in part depending upon the decision reached. The arbitration Committee will, where relevant, recommend a sharing of the fee but it is the responsibility of the afdec member, who is the only one who can approach afdec for arbitration, to agree and to be responsible for the payment of all fees. |
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