§6.4 - Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Provisions

(a) All legal persons within Rivermarch possessing disputes relating to landed title, labor contracts, resource rights, or property agreements shall have the right to seek resolution through mediation, arbitration, or tribunal adjudication as outlined herein.

(b) Parties may mutually agree upon dispute resolution method or defer to civil tribunal jurisdiction as prescribed under Title IV.

§6.4.2 - Arbitration and Appointment of Arbiters

(a) Arbitration shall be an available and encouraged method for resolution of civil disputes, conducted by an Arbiter-at-Law or Arbiter-at-Trade duly registered with the Council’s Office of Civic Records.

(b) Arbiters shall be appointed by mutual consent of the disputing parties from an approved roster maintained by the Magister’s Office, or, failing mutual agreement, selected by tribunal order.

(c) Arbitration proceedings shall:

(i) Allow submission of testimony, evidence, and magical verification as needed;
(ii) Follow equitable procedures to ensure fairness, impartiality, and efficiency;
(iii) Result in a written arbitration ruling recorded and enforceable as a tribunal judgment unless appealed within ten (10) days.

§6.4.3 - Mediation Procedures

(a) Mediation may be conducted by a licensed Mediator-at-Council, whose role is to facilitate negotiation and settlement without binding imposition.

(b) Mediation is strictly voluntary; parties retain rights to proceed to arbitration or tribunal if mediation fails.

(c) Agreements reached through mediation shall be documented in writing, witnessed, and filed with the Office of Civic Records, attaining enforceability equivalent to formal contracts.

§6.4.4 - Tribunal Adjudication

(a) Disputes unresolved through mediation or arbitration shall be adjudicated before the civil tribunal under procedures defined in Title IV, §4.3 and §4.4.

(b) Tribunal decisions shall be legally binding, subject only to appellate provisions outlined in §4.5.

(c) Tribunal adjudication shall be mandatory for disputes involving:

(i) High-value property exceeding five hundred (500) gold;
(ii) Magical, extraplanar, or leyline-related claims;
(iii) Allegations of criminal conduct, coercion, or magical interference.

§6.4.5 - Appeals and Review

(a) Arbitration rulings and tribunal judgments may be appealed only upon grounds of procedural error, legal misapplication, fraudulent evidence, or magical coercion.

(b) Appeals must be filed with the Office of the Magister within ten (10) days of ruling issuance, with written grounds clearly detailed.

(c) An appellate tribunal shall convene within fourteen (14) days of filing to review appeals and issue binding appellate judgments.

§6.4.6 - Enforcement of Resolutions

(a) Tribunal judgments, arbitration rulings, and mediated agreements shall be enforced by the Office of the Warden, peace officers, or authorized agents using lawful means, including:

(i) Seizure or return of assets;
(ii) Monetary fines and restitution payments;
(iii) Assignment of labor or services as settlement;
(iv) Application of magical seals or arcane compulsion, as authorized by tribunal order.

(b) Failure to comply with lawful resolutions shall constitute Contempt of Tribunal, subject to further penalties under §4.1.3.