The Dispute Resolution Team
Both parties of the Dispute case can elect to have their dispute settled under the conciliation process of the FinNet. The role of the Dispute Resolution Team extends to making all actions necessary to resolve the case in an impartial and evidential manner. You acknowledge that the verdict of the Dispute Team is final, binding, and irreversible.
Dispute Resolution Process
Stage 1 – Identifying the issue
The complainant should select the Project to be disputed. After which, a description of the issue and an explanation of why the dispute is being opened should be given. Users are encouraged to attach any files that could support their claims.
Stage 2 – Submissions and Evidence
Upon the Parties agreeing to settle the dispute by way of Conciliation by the FinNet Dispute Resolution Team, you agree to allow the FinNet’s Dispute Team to read all correspondence made on the FinNet Website and download or access, and test (if necessary), all uploaded files, programs, and websites related to the dispute for the sole purpose of having your dispute resolved. In rendering its decision, the conciliator shall only be obligated to consider the following:
(i) the Project Agreement,
(ii) the parties’ course of dealings, as evidenced by activity on or communications through the Website,
(iii) the Project itself and
(iv) any information or communication that the Client and the Consultant agree should be considered. You are highly encouraged to submit all the documents that would support your claims on your dispute. Submit e-mail correspondences as screenshots or as *.eml files. If submitting screenshots, ensure that the “To”, “From”, and the “Date” bar is visible. E-mail correspondences sent in *.txt or *.doc or any word processing software will not be honoured. For proof of external correspondence, users should provide screenshots of their entire unedited conversation.
At any stage of the conciliation proceedings, the conciliator may request a party to submit to him such additional information as he deems appropriate and Parties shall provide the products, and other files relating to the project and the dispute.
FinNet will retain the confidentiality of the project and the privacy of the involved users and will not release the collected information to any party unless required by law.
Stage 3 – Conciliation
Role of Conciliator.-
(1) The conciliator shall assist the parties in an independent and impartial manner in their attempt to reach an amicable settlement of their dispute.
(2) The conciliator shall be guided by principles of objectivity, fairness and justice, giving consideration to, among other things, the rights and obligations of the parties, the usages of the trade concerned and the circumstances surrounding the dispute.
(3) The conciliator may conduct the conciliation proceedings in such a manner as he considers appropriate, taking into account the circumstances of the case, the wishes the parties may express, including any request by a party that the conciliator hear oral statements, and the need for a speedy settlement of the dispute.
(4) The conciliator-may, at any stage of the conciliation proceedings, make proposals for a settlement of the dispute. Such proposals shall also be proposed on the FinNet Website and need not be accompanied by a statement of the reasons therefor.
Co-operation of parties with conciliator – The parties shall in good faith co-operate with the conciliator and, in particular, shall endeavour to comply with requests by the conciliator to submit written materials, provide evidence and attend meetings, if required.
Suggestions by parties for settlement of dispute – Each party may, on his own initiative or at the invitation of the conciliator, submit to the conciliator suggestions for the settlement of the dispute.
Settlement Agreement –
(1) When it appears to the conciliator that there exist elements of a settlement which may be acceptable to the parties, he shall formulate the terms of a possible settlement and submit them online to the parties for their observations. After receiving the observations of the parties, the conciliator may reformulate the terms of a possible settlement in the light of such observations.
(2) If the parties reach agreement on a settlement of the dispute, they may draw up and sign a written settlement agreement. If requested by the parties, the conciliator may draw up, or assist the parties in drawing up, the settlement agreement.
(3) When the parties sign the settlement agreement, it shall be final and binding on the parties and persons claiming under them, respectively.
(4) The conciliator shall authenticate the settlement agreement and furnish a copy thereof to each of the parties.
Status and effect of Settlement Agreement – The settlement agreement shall have the and effect as if it is an arbitral award on agreed terms on the substance of the dispute rendered by an arbitral tribunal.
Confidentiality – Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the conciliator and the parties shall keep confidential all matter relating to the conciliation proceedings. Confidentiality shall extend also to the settlement agreement, except where its disclosure is necessary for purposes of implementation and enforcement.
Termination of conciliation proceedings
The conciliation proceedings shall be terminated –
(a) by the signing of the settlement agreement by the parties; on the date of the agreement; or
(b) by a declaration of the conciliator, after consultation with the parties, in the effect that further efforts at conciliation are no longer justified, on the date of the declaration; or
(c) by a declaration of the parties addressed to the conciliator on the FinNet website to the effect that the conciliation proceedings are terminated, on the date of the declaration; or
(d) by a declaration on the FinNet website of a party to the other party and the conciliator, if appointed, to the effect that the conciliation proceedings are terminated, on the date of the declaration.
Resort to arbitral or judicial proceedings
The parties shall not initiate, during the conciliation proceedings, any arbitral or judicial proceedings in respect of a dispute that is the subject- matter of the conciliation proceedings except that a party may initiate arbitral or judicial proceedings, where, in his opinion, such proceedings are necessary for preserving his rights.
Admissibility of evidence in other proceedings.- The parties shall not rely on or introduce as evidence in arbitral or judicial proceedings, whether or not such proceedings relate to the dispute that is the subject of the conciliation proceedings,-
(a) views expressed or suggestions made by the other party in respect of a possible settlement of the dispute;
(b) admissions made by the other party in the course of the conciliation proceedings;
(c) proposals made by the conciliator;
(d) the fact that the other party had indicated to accept a proposal for settlement made by the conciliator.