SQUASH ONTARIO POLICIES

Squash Ontario - Appeals Policy

The appeal process shall apply to any participant who wishes to appeal a decision of Squash Ontario, with the following exceptions:

• Matters related to the Code of Conduct
• Matters related to the Participant's/Athlete’s/Manager’s Agreement
• Matters Related to Conflict of Interest

1. GROUNDS FOR APPEAL

An appeal may only be lodged if the appellant feels that Squash Ontario procedures have not been followed or that there was bias in the decision.

2. PROCEDURES FOR APPEAL

(a) The appeal must be submitted, in writing, to the attention of the President, c/o Squash Ontario, within 5 days of the incident (or decision) which is the object of the appeal.
(b) A three member panel shall be appointed by the President within 7 days of the receipt of the appeal, and the Appeals Panel shall consist of a chair who is a past president of Squash Ontario; a ranked Ontario player who is a member in good standing of Squash Ontario; and a representative who is either (I) a certified squash coach or (ii) a squash referee who is a member of the Squash Ontario Officiating Instructors' Committee.
(c) Once the three (3) member Appeals Panel has been appointed, a notice shall be sent in writing to the person who has lodged the appeal. The notice shall request that the following information be submitted in writing to the chair of the Appeals Panel within seven (7) days of receipt of the notice:
(I) The decision which is the object of the appeal;
(ii) The reasons the appellant objects to the decision;
(iii) The decision the appellant feels should be substituted and which would be a better and fairer decision; and
(iv) The relevant written information or written versions of witnesses which support the appellant's position.
(d) Within seven (7) days of the receipt of the above mentioned written information, the Appeals Panel shall decide, at its discretion, whether or not a hearing should be convened and notify the appellant accordingly.
(e) The circumstances and procedures for the hearing (if such a hearing is deemed necessary), will be at the discretion of the Appeals Panel. Fairness, absence of bias, and respect for each party's right to be heard shall be the goal of the hearing process.
(f) The Executive Director of Squash Ontario shall receive all documentation and shall be present at any hearing as a neutral party.
(g) Within thirty (30) days of the filing of the information outlined in item (c) or within 30 days of the hearing outlined in item (e), the Appeals Panel shall render a decision and shall give written reasons for its decision.
(h) The decision of the Appeals Panel shall be final and binding and shall not be reviewable by prerogative writ, writ of evocation, or any other judicial process.
(i) The written appeal shall contain all pertinent details and arguments indicating that there are sufficient grounds to consider an appeal. The appeal request shall be accompanied by a $100.00 appeal bond which will be returned if the appeal is upheld.
(j) The Appeals Panel shall have the power to either dismiss the appeal or uphold the appeal.
(k) Teleconferencing, where applicable, is an acceptable means of communications.

3. COSTS OF APPEAL

If the appellant is successful, the bond will be returned. If the appellant is not successful, the bond shall not be returned.