Anyone choosing to participate in an ACBL sanctioned event is subject to the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations (See Chapter 4, Section Three IV.6 for regulations concerning clubs). This chapter discusses the system and procedures in place to deal with violators of ACBL conduct and ethics rules.

SECTION ONE: ACBL RECORDER SYSTEM

I. THE RECORDER

A recorder is an official of the sponsoring organization and the sponsoring organization assigns the recorder's duties. Generally, these duties are to receive inquiries and players' complaints and respond to them. Most often these inquiries and complaints concern matters of player conduct and ethics.

The recorder should be an experienced, knowledgeable bridge player who is tactful and apolitical. The recorder should be familiar with the LAWS OF DUPLICATE CONTRACT BRIDGE and should be especially well-versed with the content of Chapter 7 thereof, which concerns "Proprieties." (see Appendix C, Recorder Regulations and Procedures).

II. NATIONAL OFFICE OF RECORDER

A. APPOINTMENT

The National Office of Recorder is a position established within ACBL headquarters by the ACBL Board of Directors.

B. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The function of the National Office of Recorder is to:

• Maintain documents forwarded by sponsoring organizations as set forth by the "Recorder Regulations and Procedures." (SEE Appendix C.)
• Receive player memos from tournaments at which a tournament recorder was unavailable, and solicit responses as necessary.
• Periodically review existing player files and, when appropriate, refer a matter to the ACBL Recorder or an appropriate disciplinary body.
• Review uninvestigated memos and either discard or forward to an appropriate recorder for investigation.

III. OFFICE OF RECORDER

The ACBL Recorder is selected by the ACBL Board of Directors. His or her duties include advising unit and district recorders as necessary, conducting seminars at NABCs for recorders, advising the National Office of Recorder as necessary concerning files, and performing recorder duties at NABCs.

SECTION TWO: DISTRICT/UNIT DISCIPLINARY BODIES

I. APPOINTMENT

ACBL requires each district to establish a District Disciplinary Committee and a separate District Appellate Committee. ACBL requires each unit to establish a Unit Disciplinary Committee unless not practical due to unit size or area.

Each district/unit appoints committee members according to its own established procedures, which may vary from district to district and unit to unit.

It is recommended that members of a tournament conduct and ethics committee not serve on a unit or district disciplinary committee dealing with the same matters. Members of the District Appellate Committee may not have served on a Tournament, Unit or District Disciplinary Committee dealing with matters coming before the District Appellate Committee.

II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

On behalf of its unit or district, a Unit or District Disciplinary Committee acts in disciplinary matters in accordance with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations. (SEE Appendix D.)

A District Appellate Committee hears appeals from rulings made by Unit or District Disciplinary Committees or in instances where the unit or district having jurisdiction chooses not to act. The District Appellate Committee may also hear matters referred to it by the ACBL Appeals and Charges Committee.

III. OPERATIONS

The district/ unit must notify ACBL headquarters of who is chairing the District Appellate Committees and must notify ACBL when a chair changes.

ACBL does not cover expenses of any disciplinary committee. All decisions made by disciplinary bodies must be reported in writing to ACBL.

SECTION THREE: DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES AT TOURNAMENTS

Although a Tournament Appeals Committee is most commonly called upon to consider matters of bridge judgment and fact, it can be called upon to judge matters of conduct, deportment, and ethics.

Disciplinary procedures at tournaments are intended to be expeditious and notices may be oral and the proceedings may be informal. For further information about disciplinary procedures at tournaments, SEE Appendix B, Section IV.

SECTION FOUR: ACBL APPEALS AND CHARGES COMMITTEE

I. MEMBERSHIP

The president of the ACBL Board of Directors, with the approval of the Board, appoints the chairman and members of the ACBL Appeals and Charges Committee, who serve concurrently with the president.

II. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Appeals and Charges Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the ACBL Board of Directors in all matters referred to it by the ACBL Board of Directors. However, in any case it deems proper the Committee may refer the matter to the full Board for disposition.

III. PROCEDURES

The Appeals and Charges Committee considers its present procedures sufficient to protect the rights and conveniences of members who are unable to appear personally before the Committee. Specifically, without limitation, such procedures include:

• The consideration of affidavits and other evidence.
• The appointment of special representatives to conduct fact-finding investigations.
• The conduct of hearings anywhere and at any time that seems appropriate.

When the Appeals and Charges Committee hears witnesses, all Board members may be present, but only members of the Appeals and Charges Committee may ask questions of the witnesses or otherwise participate directly in the proceedings. Further, all findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Appeals and Charges Committee are made by vote of the members of the Committee only.

SECTION FIVE: ETHICAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

I. MEMBERSHIP

The Ethical Oversight Committee will consist of 15 members. During their tenure in office, a member may not be dismissed except for grossly inappropriate behavior. If the President of the ACBL or the Chairman of the Ethical Oversight Committee call together the members of the committee, they may, by majority vote, remove a member of the committee.

II. APPOINTMENT

Five member are appointed each year by the President of the ACBL for staggered three-year terms. The Chairman of the Committee shall be elected from within the body. The Chairman may not serve more than three consecutive one year terms.

III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Ethical Oversight Committee acts, upon agreement of ACBL League counsel and the Director of National Appeals, as the ACBL disciplinary body in cases of alleged cheating by the use of signals, other unauthorized information, other forms of cheating, or serious breaches of ethics, in accordance with the ACBL Code of Disciplinary Regulations. The President of the Board of Directors is to be notified of a decision to hold an ethical oversight hearing. (SEE Appendix D.)

SECTION SIX: GUIDELINES FOR UNIT AND DISTRICT DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

Unit and district disciplinary committees are called upon to judge complaints of conduct and ethics (C&E). District Appellate Committees and the ACBL Appeals and Charges Committee judge appeals from C&E decisions of lower jurisdictional bodies of ACBL. For further information about disciplinary proceedings, See Appendix B.