1. Introduction
1.1 This policy is aimed at individuals who undertake our training, development or events programmes and our Educators who deliver any training, development or events on behalf of Prime Dispute.
1.2 This policy also applies to the Prime Dispute executive; Members, President; Vice President, Trustees, Consultants, Educators or any who working for or on behalf of Prime Dispute, to ensure all aspects of an appeal or complaint are dealt with in an open and transparent manner.
2. Raising an appeal
2.1 When submitting an appeal the individual shall ensure they provide all the following relevant supporting information):
(a) Full name and, if relevant, membership designation and number;
(b) Address and contact details;
(c) Date(s) the individual received notification of Prime Dispute's decision;
(d) Full details of the appeal;
(e) Any relevant supporting evidence;
(f) Contents and outcome of any investigation carried out that relates to the issue.
2.2 All individuals have 20 working days from the date Prime Dispute notified the individual with the decision that is being appealed against and this should be in writing. All appeals/complaints should be submitted to [email protected].
3. Initial review of the appeal
3.1 Upon receipt of all appeals the Prime Dispute Case Officer will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within five working days and aim to respond fully to the initial review of the potential appeal within 14 working days. Please note that in some cases the review processes may take longer, for example, if we require further clarification from the individual or Educator(s). In such instances, Prime Dispute shall contact all parties concerned to inform them of the likely revised timescale.
3.2 Prime Dispute will initially undertake an informal assessment of all potential appeals/complaints to ensure the application is complete and to ascertain if the issue can be resolved before it goes to a formal appeal.
3.3 All information submitted about the appeal/ complaint should be based only on factual information.
3.4 Prime Dispute will ensure that the person carrying out the initial check does not have a conflict of interest in the decision being appealed or complained about and is competent with "Prime Dispute's Business Ethics and Conflict of Interests Policy".
3.5 Prime Dispute, at its sole discretion, may suggest mediation or an alternation dispute resolution process to address the matter. Full cooperation will be required from the individual(s) including Educators.
3.6 Following the initial review of the potential appeal Prime Dispute will write to the individual with details of the decision to either:
(a) Amend the original decision in light of the new evidence or information without negative consequences for the Educator or Prime Dispute; or
(b) Confirm that Prime Dispute upholds the original decision. The individual will be invited to accept the decision or to proceed to Prime Dispute's formal appeals process which will be carried out by an independent third party.
4. Second stage of the appeal
4.1 Should the individual wish to proceed to the second stage of the independent appeal process, then the Case Officer at Prime Dispute shall arrange for an independent review to be carried out by a senior Director and/or an independent member of Prime Dispute to initiate the process.
4.2 Should the nature of the appeal/ complaint require a technical expert Prime Dispute will appoint a competent individual with the required technical knowledge who will not have a personal interest in the decision being appealed.
4.3 The decision regarding the second stage of the appeal is final and Prime Dispute will inform the individual of the outcome of the appeal within 25 working days of receipt of the formal appeal.
4.4 If the appeal/ complaint relates to the conduct of an Educator (in a professional conduct matter) then this can also be reported to the relevant primary professional body but will not be taken account of in any decision made by or on behalf of Prime Dispute.
5. Challenges and Conduct
5.1 Any challenges or non compliances to this policy will be investigated. If there are any instances of non compliance or breaches by Prime Dispute executives; Members, President; Vice President, Trustees, Consultants, Educators, or similar, then these will be investigated, and, where appropriate, action will be considered at the sole discretion of Prime Dispute .
1.1 This policy is aimed at individuals who undertake our training, development or events programmes and our Educators who deliver any training, development or events on behalf of Prime Dispute.
1.2 This policy also applies to the Prime Dispute executive; Members, President; Vice President, Trustees, Consultants, Educators or any who working for or on behalf of Prime Dispute, to ensure all aspects of an appeal or complaint are dealt with in an open and transparent manner.
2. Raising an appeal
2.1 When submitting an appeal the individual shall ensure they provide all the following relevant supporting information):
(a) Full name and, if relevant, membership designation and number;
(b) Address and contact details;
(c) Date(s) the individual received notification of Prime Dispute's decision;
(d) Full details of the appeal;
(e) Any relevant supporting evidence;
(f) Contents and outcome of any investigation carried out that relates to the issue.
2.2 All individuals have 20 working days from the date Prime Dispute notified the individual with the decision that is being appealed against and this should be in writing. All appeals/complaints should be submitted to [email protected].
3. Initial review of the appeal
3.1 Upon receipt of all appeals the Prime Dispute Case Officer will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within five working days and aim to respond fully to the initial review of the potential appeal within 14 working days. Please note that in some cases the review processes may take longer, for example, if we require further clarification from the individual or Educator(s). In such instances, Prime Dispute shall contact all parties concerned to inform them of the likely revised timescale.
3.2 Prime Dispute will initially undertake an informal assessment of all potential appeals/complaints to ensure the application is complete and to ascertain if the issue can be resolved before it goes to a formal appeal.
3.3 All information submitted about the appeal/ complaint should be based only on factual information.
3.4 Prime Dispute will ensure that the person carrying out the initial check does not have a conflict of interest in the decision being appealed or complained about and is competent with "Prime Dispute's Business Ethics and Conflict of Interests Policy".
3.5 Prime Dispute, at its sole discretion, may suggest mediation or an alternation dispute resolution process to address the matter. Full cooperation will be required from the individual(s) including Educators.
3.6 Following the initial review of the potential appeal Prime Dispute will write to the individual with details of the decision to either:
(a) Amend the original decision in light of the new evidence or information without negative consequences for the Educator or Prime Dispute; or
(b) Confirm that Prime Dispute upholds the original decision. The individual will be invited to accept the decision or to proceed to Prime Dispute's formal appeals process which will be carried out by an independent third party.
4. Second stage of the appeal
4.1 Should the individual wish to proceed to the second stage of the independent appeal process, then the Case Officer at Prime Dispute shall arrange for an independent review to be carried out by a senior Director and/or an independent member of Prime Dispute to initiate the process.
4.2 Should the nature of the appeal/ complaint require a technical expert Prime Dispute will appoint a competent individual with the required technical knowledge who will not have a personal interest in the decision being appealed.
4.3 The decision regarding the second stage of the appeal is final and Prime Dispute will inform the individual of the outcome of the appeal within 25 working days of receipt of the formal appeal.
4.4 If the appeal/ complaint relates to the conduct of an Educator (in a professional conduct matter) then this can also be reported to the relevant primary professional body but will not be taken account of in any decision made by or on behalf of Prime Dispute.
5. Challenges and Conduct
5.1 Any challenges or non compliances to this policy will be investigated. If there are any instances of non compliance or breaches by Prime Dispute executives; Members, President; Vice President, Trustees, Consultants, Educators, or similar, then these will be investigated, and, where appropriate, action will be considered at the sole discretion of Prime Dispute .
