After considering /Evidence and discussing proposals with other Arbitrators, parties and others at /Workshop, Arbitrators may place proposals which are ready for voting here. Arbitrators should vote for or against each point or abstain. Only items that receive a majority "support" vote will be passed. Conditional votes for or against and abstentions should be explained by the Arbitrator before or after his/her time-stamped signature. For example, an Arbitrator can state that she/he would only favor a particular remedy based on whether or not another remedy/remedies were passed. Only Arbitrators or Clerks should edit this page; non-Arbitrators may comment on the talk page.
For this case there are 16 active arbitrators, not counting 1 recused. 9 support or oppose votes are a majority.
If observing editors notice any discrepancies between the arbitrators' tallies and the final decision or the #Implementation notes, you should post to the Clerk talk page. Similarly, arbitrators may request clerk assistance via the same method.
Arbitrators may place proposed motions affecting the case in this section for voting. Typical motions might be to close or dismiss a case without a full decision (a reason should normally be given), or to add an additional party (although this can also be done without a formal motion as long as the new party is on notice of the case). Suggestions by the parties or other non-arbitrators for motions or other requests should be placed on the /Workshop page for consideration and discussion. Motions have the same majority for passage as the final decision.
A temporary injunction is a directive from the Arbitration Committee that parties to the case, or other editors notified of the injunction, do or refrain from doing something while the case is pending.
Four net "support" votes needed to pass (each "oppose" vote subtracts a "support")
24 hours from the first vote is normally the fastest an injunction will be imposed.
1) The purpose of Wikipedia is to create a high-quality, free-content encyclopedia in an atmosphere of camaraderie and mutual respect among the contributors.
2) Wikipedia users are expected to behave reasonably, calmly, and courteously in their interactions with other users, and to approach even difficult situations in a dignified fashion and with a constructive and collaborative outlook. Editors are expected to be reasonably courteous to one another, even during disputes. Unseemly conduct, such as personal attacks, incivility, and unwarranted assumptions of bad faith, is prohibited.
3) Wikipedia works by building consensus through the use of polite discussion—involving the wider community, if necessary—and dispute resolution, rather than through disruptive editing. Sustained editorial conflict or edit-warring is not an appropriate method of resolving disputes.
4) All Wikipedia articles must be written from a neutral point of view. They must fairly portray all significant points of view on a subject, in accordance with their prevalence as reflected in the best and most reputable sources, and without giving undue weight to minority views. Where an article concerns a theory that does not have majority support in the relevant scholarly community, the article must fairly describe the division of opinion among those who have extensively studied the matter. Good-faith disputes concerning article neutrality and sourcing, like other content disputes, should be resolved by a consensus of involved editors on the article, or if necessary through dispute resolution procedures.
I understand the point being made by ChaseMe, and have made a minor copy edit to include the word "extensively" before "studied the matter". Those voting before me may feel free to revert. Risker (talk) 02:36, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The wording is broadly sound: I have problems however with with the phrase "among those who have studied the matter". I think this would benefit from a clarification to ensure that it's only those views from the scholarly community or accepted experts - even minority ones - that are included, rather than just anyone who has a BA in English Lit. The Cavalry (Message me) 14:23, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
5) While all articles must be neutral, the nature of an article is often relevant to how extensively non-majority views should be discussed. For example, a minority or fringe view about a given subject might properly receive little weight in the main article on the subject but, if the view is notable, may receive greater attention in an article on the minority or fringe view itself. Even in the latter article, however, the degree of scholarly acceptance of the non-majority view should not be overstated.
Support:
Unlike many of the other principles in this proposed decision, this is not a standard wording adapted from another case, but a new formulation, and I hope an a propos one. Newyorkbrad (talk) 03:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Note that nothing in this statement of principles requires that the majority view be given majority time in an article specifically about a minority view. It can be counterproductive and unbalancing to smother an article on a minority view with "This is rejected by..." citations. Often, a brief mention with link to the main topic which deals with the mainstream position will be sufficient coverage of the majority view in a minority topic. Jclemens (talk) 06:47, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I support this wording - a minority view is not the same as an alternative view. If anyone would like me to clarify my thoughts here, please contact me and I will elaborate. The Cavalry (Message me) 14:23, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I'm not certain that this principle stretches quite as far as Jclemens interprets it to, and that is a good thing: one should not walk away from an article discussing a minority view on a wider subject with the impression that the view explained in it holds greater acceptance that it actually does. In practice, this mean due weight must apply even in those articles and the mainstream view must not be dismissed or marginalized. — Coren(talk)02:07, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I think this wording is too slack (also the first sentence is a non-sequitur and I'm not clear how the nature of the article can be relevant to how to discuss alternative or minority views.Elen of the Roads (talk) 15:50, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I tend to support this principle, and I think the effects are generally good, but I would like to see a strong policy citation if and when this is reused. It's more creative than some of our principles. Cool HandLuke17:19, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
6) Editors may choose to focus their contributions to Wikipedia narrowly or broadly. However, editors who focus primarily or exclusively on a narrow subject—sometimes referred to as single-purpose accounts—are expected to contribute neutrally instead of following their own agenda and, in particular, should take care to avoid creating the impression that their focus is on advocacy rather than neutrally presenting information.
This is to say specifically that being a SPA in and of itself is not sanctionable, just that one REALLY has to hew tightly to Wikipedia's policies. SirFozzie (talk) 03:56, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
7) Users who disrupt the editing of articles by engaging in sustained aggressive point-of-view editing may be banned from the affected articles, or in extreme cases from the site, either by community consensus or by the Arbitration Committee.
Just to note that I believe this entails community consensus at a community noticeboard, after a discussion open for several hours. I don't support talk page bans amongst a consensus of 4 editors vs 1, and I find the 'pile-on' bans that occur at ANI after ten minutes of discussion worrying. The Cavalry (Message me) 14:23, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
8) The purpose of a talk page is to provide a location for editors to discuss changes to the associated article or project page. Article talk pages should not be used by editors as platforms for their personal views on a subject. Editors should aspire to use talk pages effectively and must not misuse them through practices such as excessive repetition, monopolization, irrelevancy, advocacy, misrepresentation of others' comments, or personal attacks.
I have to admit, that I've never seen an article with so many archives (I'm sure there's some out there with more, but I've never worked on them.). And from the Archives I read it was the same arguments over and over and.. well you get the idea. SirFozzie (talk) 03:56, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Not unlike Chase Me, I think this is a specialized reminder of the general principle; but I agree it needs to be restated explicitly. — Coren(talk)02:07, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I will note that this is not the same thing as talk pages where a long series of unrelated editors may raise a similar point over time, but is focused on individual editors continuing to press the same issue repeatedly, or to continuing to insert personal opinion onto the talk page. Risker (talk) 02:36, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
9) An editor should not make accusations, such as that another editor or a group of editors is biased or habitually violates site policies or norms, unless the accusations are supported by evidence. A persistent pattern of making false or unsupported accusations is particularly damaging to the collaborative editing environment, as is repeating accusations that have been shown to be incorrect.
10) Wikipedia editors are permitted to choose whether to edit anonymously, to edit under a username but to disclose their real identity (for example, on their userpage), or to edit under their own real name. Identifying information about an editor who chooses not to disclose his or her identity may not be revealed on-wiki by others. When an editor is unsure whether another editor wishes his or her identity to be known, the safer course is not to refer to it; for example, to refer to that editor by his or her username rather than his or her real name.
Support:
I do not believe that the evidence reflects any "outing" incidents warranting a finding or sanction; nonetheless, there has been enough discussion of the issue in the case that the principle bears mention. Newyorkbrad (talk) 03:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
There was no specific outing incidents, however, the subject was brought up enough that it was necessary to have a finding on it just to restate WHAT outing is and isn't. SirFozzie (talk) 03:56, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
As importantly, it can be intimidating to imply that one knows the "real identity" of a pseudonymous or unregistered editor if the user has not disclosed his or her identity on-wiki. Risker (talk) 02:36, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
11) The Wikipedia community, acting through a fair discussion leading to consensus achieved on the administrators' noticeboard or another appropriate venue, may impose a sanction on an editor who has engaged in problematic behavior. A sanctioned editor may request an appeal to the Arbitration Committee. While the Arbitration Committee is authorized to overturn or reduce a community sanction, such action is relatively rare, and would be based on good cause such as a finding that (1) some aspect of the community discussion was procedurally unfair, (2) the sanction imposed appears to be significantly excessive or overbroad, (3) circumstances have changed significantly since the community sanction was imposed, or (4) non-public information that should not be addressed on-wiki, such as personal information or checkuser data, is relevant to the decision.
Support:
Although I personally have explained the circumstances in which I will vote to overturn a community sanction in past votes, I don't believe the committee as a whole has ever explained when we are likely to do so, either in a decision or on a policy page. If this principle is accepted, it might fill that gap, which I think it might be useful to do. Newyorkbrad (talk) 03:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I would say also that the Committee can review such findings as a matter of course when we accept a case to look at a broader area, but I do agree that the only time we would modify or reverse is in the sections above. SirFozzie (talk) 03:56, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I think the first item should focus on procedure because "fairness" is the ultimate catch-all mandate, but I do not object to the item strongly enough to reject the entire principle, which is otherwise a very good standard of review. Cool HandLuke22:26, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Given the committee's reticence to get involved with matters better handled by the admin corps and the community as a whole, if half of ArbCom agrees that a community process was seriously flawed enough to intervene, it almost certainly was. Jclemens (talk) 06:54, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Re: the below comment: actually, I'd rather we continued using language that implicitly expects that administrators cooperate as if they were co-workers. When administrators do not, bad things happen. Jclemens (talk) 02:32, 12 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
It is natural for the Committee to review existing sanctions on a party to arbitration in the context of the decision as a whole. Reduction of sanctions may be affected by (a) additional information not available to the community at the time of its decision, (b) procedural defects or (c) new information indicating that the sanction is no longer required. I have yet to hear any concerns from the community when a community sanction is either endorsed or expanded. Risker (talk) 02:36, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I have tweaked 'usually' to 'always' as I cannot think of any reason why Arbcom would legitimately overturn a decision without good cause, and I don't think NYB intended to retain the option to do so. Elen of the Roads (talk) 20:25, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The word "usually" was meant to qualify the list of four possibilities, not the expectation that we would have good cause for acting. As it's ambiguous, I've deleted it. Newyorkbrad (talk) 22:08, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
12) The pages associated with arbitration cases are primarily intended to assist the Arbitration Committee in arriving at a fair, well-informed, and expeditious resolution of each case. Participation by editors who present good-faith statements, evidence, and workshop proposals is appreciated. While allowance is made for the fact that parties and other interested editors may have strong feelings about the subject-matters of their dispute, appropriate decorum should be maintained on these pages. Incivility, personal attacks, and strident rhetoric should be avoided in arbitration as in all other areas of Wikipedia.
Support:
Unfortunately, we've had to include this principle far too many times in decisions over the past three years. For a more colloquial articulation of the principle, see here. Newyorkbrad (talk) 03:27, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
13) Contributors whose actions over a period of time are detrimental to the goal of creating a high-quality encyclopedia should be directed to refrain from those actions, when other efforts to address the issue have failed, even when their actions are undertaken in good faith.
Support:
Sorry do do this so late in voting. I am adding a couple of principles from RexxS/Bishonen, which I felt identified a key problem in this case. This principle is originally from Wikipedia:Arbitration/Requests/Case/World War II, with one substitution: the word "may" has been replaced with "should." I think this change swallows the next logical link in the chain of principles, RexxS' proposal "Inexperience editors." Cool HandLuke16:52, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
14) It is disruptive for established Wikipedians to countermand good advice to new editors, or otherwise encourage them to continue flouting community norms.
Support:
This strikes me as a repeated problem, and it was certainly an issue in this case. NinaGreen did not become disruptive on her own, but she was encouraged and misdirected by partisans on "her side." This is taken and retitled from Bishonen's proposal, which builds upon RexxS' sequence of principles. Cool HandLuke16:52, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I am conflicted about this principle. On the one hand, I support it unequivocally: misleading new editors into misbehaving (in particular, in service of one's own agenda) causes exactly as much disruption and leaves the instigator unsanctioned to repeat the performance — giving them an unbounded supply of unwitting meatpuppets.
On the other hand, this description encompasses a wide range of marginally legitimate dissent and protest (examples are not hard to find of disgruntled editors who are advocating "civil disobedience" ranging from mild stretches of policy to outright flaunting of the rules). It's not immediately clear whether CHL intended that principle to be this inclusive.
Ultimately, I find myself falling on the side in favor of the principle: the good of the project primes over putative (and mostly imaginary) liberties of editors, and getting other editors to misbehave on one's behalf — no matter how legitimate one believes the cause to be — can never be condoned. — Coren(talk)17:03, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I don't think new users should be encouraged by others into civil disobedience either. That should be a personal act, not one cheered by others who are unwilling to take steps themselves (for their knowledge that they may be sanctioned over it). New editors should not be proxy warriors for battling factions. Cool HandLuke17:08, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I think this could safely be written even more broadly: it is incumbent upon experienced editors to appropriately convey Wikipedia's expectations to new editors, not merely to refrain from actively corrupting such expectations. Nevertheless, this statement is appropriate enough. Jclemens (talk) 20:15, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
While there is no doubt that people can develop bad habits on their own, it's inappropriate for experienced Wikipedian's to encourage those habits, especially since newer users are likely to put more weight on what experienced users say is correct. Shellbabelfish20:06, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
As written. Three reasons (1) I believe NinaGreen was perfectly capable of becoming disruptive on her own, as her continued behaviour has shown;(2) I don't like the first part of the proposal at all, as it is too dogmatic - do we mean good advice on how to do citations? (3) I have a general aversion to not saying things clearly. Would prefer something along the lines of JClemens, and have proposed same below.Elen of the Roads (talk) 21:24, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The duty to guide new users is implied from the previous remedy. Astray users "should be directed to refrain from those actions." This remedy expressly says more than your proposal—that telling users to ignore warnings and so forth is also disruptive, even if not actively encouraging them to be disruptive. Cool HandLuke21:41, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
We cannot force editors to set clueless newbies straight if they don't care to do so. We can tell 'em what will happen if they try to get them to proxy their edit war. Elen of the Roads (talk) 22:24, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I agree. I don't think I understand what you are objecting to here; there's no command that experienced users must help newbies. They simply should not try to obstruct the help of others. Cool HandLuke23:04, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
My bad. You referred just above to a duty to guide new users - I interpreted that as some kind of obligation to set them straight, which you obviously didn't mean. Elen of the Roads (talk) 00:33, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Jclemens says that the expectation articulated by this standard was too low, and you seemed to agree with him (although perhaps not?); I was pointing out that: (1) the principle #13 already implies a broader expectation with the word "should," and (2) this remedy is more explicitly exacting than #14.1 because disruption also encompases directing users to ignore good advice. Cool HandLuke01:30, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Yeah, I disagreed with Jclemens first three words because I don't believe it is incumbent on established editors to do anything about instructing newbies, so I tried to phrase it as less of a stricture and more of an 'if you do this, do it thus not thus'. Elen of the Roads (talk) 16:36, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Good point. I think my statement above could be improved by prefacing it with "To the extent that established editors instruct new editors..." which reflects my original intent. Jclemens (talk) 19:09, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
14.1) It is expected that experienced editors will convey Wikipedia's expectations to new editors in an open and collegiate manner. Encouraging new editors to engage in disruptive behaviour is itself disruptive, and open to sanction.
I think this wording is a little too broad; in particular, the term "disruptive behaviour" is highly situation-dependent and often subjectively interpreted. Risker (talk) 23:33, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I much prefer prohibitions to injunctions as a matter of principle. In a volunteer endeavor nobody is obligated, on a fundamental level, do to anything (even when it's desirable that someone does it eventually). It would be regrettable, of course, if a new editor went without any guidance whatsoever — but there is nobody to chide (or sanction!) for not having provided that guidance. — Coren(talk)01:24, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
2) The collaborative editing environment on Shakespeare authorship question has been dysfunctional for several years. A series of editors have behaved poorly, some of whom are no longer active. The problems are demonstrated by the fact that Talk:Shakespeare authorship question has 21 archive pages. Extensive and lively talkpage discussion on an article may sometimes reflect active, productive collaborative editing by engaged and knowledgeable editors happily working together—but not in this case. Rather, these talkpage archives reflect a miserable history of talkpage misuse and disruption, fully consistent with the troubled history of the article itself.
3) NinaGreen (talk·contribs), who has focused virtually all of her editing on the Oxfordian hypothesis (evidence), has engaged in a persistent pattern of disruptive behavior, including advocacy rather than neutral editing, misuse and extreme monopolization of talkpages to the point of rendering them useless, repeated false and unsupported allegations against fellow editors, failure to improve her behavior after having been repeatedly counseled in the past, and continued disruptive behavior during this arbitration case itself. (Sample evidence here, here, here.)
4) Smatprt (talk·contribs), who has focused much although not all of his editing on the Oxfordian hypothesis, was the subject of a community sanctions discussion based on a long history of disruptive editing relating to the authorship issue. On November 3, 2010, a community sanction was adopted, under which Smatprt was "topic-banned from editing pages relating to William Shakespeare, broadly construed" for a period of one year. Smatprt has appealed to this committee from the topic-ban. However, there is ample support for the community's conclusion that his editing concerning authorship of Shakespeare's work was severely disruptive and warranted a topic-ban from that subject. A somewhat closer question is whether Smatprt could, as he has proposed, edit usefully on aspects of Shakespeare-related articles unrelated to the authorship issue.
This does not preclude Smatprt asking the community to narrow his ban to allow him to edit Shakespeare-related articles unrelated to the authorship issue. –xenotalk17:33, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
This goes on beyond a finding of fact, and pre-empts the discussion on sanctions against Smartprt. The finding of fact should stop at "and has appealed to this committee concerning (not from) the topic ban". The last sentence has no place in a finding of fact, besides being a non-sequitur. Elen of the Roads (talk) 00:39, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
The second-last sentence represents our resolution of the appeal through a factual finding that there were grounds to support the community's decision. Unless we are to disregard the appeal and not decide it that sentence is necessary. The final sentence is clearly correct in my opinion, but is not essential to the decision if, as it appears, we are going to adopt remedy proposal 3 rather than 3.1. Newyorkbrad (talk) 00:57, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Note: All remedies that refer to a period of time, for example to a ban of X months or a revert parole of Y months, are to run concurrently unless otherwise stated.
1) Standard discretionary sanctions are authorized for all articles related to the Shakespeare authorship question. The sanctions should be administered in such a fashion as to treat all contributors fairly while ensuring that future editing of these pages adheres to high standards of both Wikipedia behavior and Shakespearean scholarship.
Support:
Readers of this decision should carefully review the linked page, which discusses the nature of discretionary sanctions. As the bottom line, what this remedy means is that uninvolved administrators are authorized to crack down on editors who engage in any further disruption on Shakespeare authorship question or related articles after this case ends. This includes parties to this case (some more of whom could have been sanctioned now but are getting a final chance), as well as other editors who may be placed on notice of the sanctions in the future. (The arbitrators have disagreed in the past about whether we should impose discretionary sanctions by linking to the policy page, as above, or by copying the sanctions into the decision for greater visibility. I am agnostic on that question.) Newyorkbrad (talk) 04:55, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Agreed. We are attempting to resolve issues here, but we wish to give administrators the ability to be proactive in preventing further issues from popping up. SirFozzie (talk) 05:40, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I note that within the past few days, NinaGreen has requested to "close her Wikipedia account." Although this is not the wording that we use, if NinaGreen is prepared to disengage from Wikipedia permanently, I would support facilitating her departure through deletion of her userpage, renaming of her account, and other appropriate means. Newyorkbrad (talk) 04:55, 10 February 2011 (UTC) I note that NinaGreen has declined this suggestion. [1] So be it. Newyorkbrad (talk) 05:29, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
3) The Arbitration Committee endorses the community sanction imposed on Smatprt (talk·contribs). Thus, Smatprt remains topic-banned from editing articles relating to William Shakespeare, broadly construed, for one year from November 3, 2010.
Support:
I am proposing this and 3.1 as alternatives. Since Smatprt just presented his appeal evidence today and other editors have not had a chance to weigh in on it, I will hold off for a day or two before deciding my first and second choice. Newyorkbrad (talk) 04:55, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
My first choice. I am not willing to go against the community consensus to place this topic ban.. something like six months down the line, if issues have not reoccured, I would be willing to see Smatprt bring a request to the community or the Committee to have the sanctions modified/lifted. SirFozzie (talk) 05:40, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
I interpret this as simply saying "We reviewed the community's action, since it tied closely to this case, and we see nothing wrong with what's already been done." Jclemens (talk) 07:03, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
First choice over 3.1. I perceive the review of a closely-related community sanction as natural during an arbitration proceeding, but much like Jclemens, I see nothing wrong with the current scope or duration of the existing community sanction. Risker (talk) 02:44, 13 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
First choice. This does not preclude Smatprt asking the community to narrow his ban to allow him to edit Shakespeare-related articles unrelated to the authorship issue. –xenotalk17:33, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
3.1) The Arbitration Committee endorses the community sanction imposed on Smatprt (talk·contribs). Thus, Smatprt remains topic-banned from editing articles relating to William Shakespeare, broadly construed, for one year from November 3, 2010. However, after 90 days from the closing of this case, Smatprt may request that the sanction be reviewed for the purpose of narrowing its scope (but not overturning it entirely). In any such request for amendment, the Committee will give significant weight to whether Smatprt has established an ability to edit collaboratively and in accordance with Wikipedia policies and guidelines in other topic-areas of the project.
Weak second choice, although I would also allow him to go to the community and ask to edit non-"Authorship Question" articles at any point.. Probably be best to ease him in gradually. SirFozzie (talk) 05:40, 10 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Soft oppose. I would generally prefer to handle this via request for amendment in the future, once Smatprt has demonstrated constructive contributions on an even less related topic area. Like all other Wikipedia sanctions, they are subject to review and modification once the sanctioned editor has demonstrated successful encyclopedia-building contributions elsewhere. Jclemens (talk) 07:06, 11 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]
1) Should any editor subject to a discretionary sanction under this decision violate the terms of the sanction, then further sanctions may be imposed as appropriate pursuant to the discretionary sanction remedy.
2) Should any editor subject to a restriction under the terms of this decision violate the restriction, then the editor may be blocked for a period of up to one week by any uninvolved administrator. After three blocks, the maximum block period shall increase to one year. As an alternative to blocking under this paragraph, the uninvolved administrator may impose a discretionary sanction, which shall be in addition to any sanction imposed in this decision.
Clerks and Arbitrators should use this section to clarify their understanding of the final decision—at a minimum, a list of items that have passed. Additionally, a list of which remedies are conditional on others (for instance a ban that should only be implemented if a mentorship should fail), and so on. Arbitrators should not pass the motion to close the case until they are satisfied with the implementation notes.
These notes were last updated by 16:56, 13 February 2011 (UTC); the last edit to this page was on 18:50, 2 March 2023 (UTC) by User:MalnadachBot.
Important: Please ask the case clerk to author the implementation notes before initiating a motion to close, so that the final decision is clear.
Four net "support" votes needed to close case (each "oppose" vote subtracts a "support"). 24 hours from the first motion is normally the fastest a case will close. The Clerks will close the case either immediately, or 24 hours after the fourth net support vote has been cast, depending on whether the arbitrators have voted unanimously on the entirety of the case's proposed decision or not.
Close. The thrust of the decision has been agreed upon for several days, and 24-48 hours from now should be ample time to finalize the remaining wording issues on the added principles. Newyorkbrad (talk) 16:49, 14 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]