Fencing Draft:Rules For Managing Incidents

1. Everyone who takes part in Fencing combat must follow these rules.
2. Marshals enforce the rules and have the authority to take action if there is a safety issue or if you break the rules. You also #have the right to question a decision or to appeal any action that is taken against you.
3. This section sets out the actions and processes for managing incidents.

5.1 Breaking rules

1. You can be suspended from combat for breaking the rules during a bout.
2. If the person supervising the field believes you are breaking the rules, they must give you a warning.
3. Following that warning, the Fencing Marshal in Charge can suspend you for any of the following reasons:
   • You have broken the rules for a third time.
   • You are refusing to obey the lawful commands of the person supervising the field.
   • The marshal believes your behaviour poses a risk to you or to others.
4. Once you have been suspended, you cannot take part in Fencing combat until the incident has been resolved. This requires a ruling by the Group Fencing Marshal, with the approval of the Kingdom Fencing Marshal.

5.2 Excessive blows

1. If you believe your opponent has hit you too hard (either accidentally or deliberately), this should be discussed upon the field.
2. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of that discussion, you can make a written complaint to the Group Fencing Marshal.
3. The Group Fencing Marshal will review the complaint and make a ruling in consultation with the Kingdom Fencing Marshal.
4. The Group Fencing Marshal must tell the other fencer that a complaint has been made and is being investigated.
5. The Group Fencing Marshal must write to you and the other fencer advising them of the outcome.

5.3 Injuries

1. If you or your opponent is injured and is unable to continue, or needs treatment from a health professional, the person supervising the field must report the incident immediately to the Fencing Marshal in Charge.
2. If your opponent is injured, and it might have been because of something you did (for example because of an excessive blow), the Fencing Marshal in Charge must suspend you from combat while the incident is investigated.
3. The length of the suspension will vary depending on the circumstances, but will be the decision of the Fencing Marshal in Charge.
4. The Fencing Marshal in Charge must report any such injury to the Group Fencing Marshal as soon as possible. The Group Fencing Marshal must report the incident to the Kingdom Fencing Marshal within 24 hours.
5. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal must ensure an investigation is conducted and provide a report to the Kingdom Earl Marshal within 10 days of the incident being reported.

5.4 Other action

1. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal can suspend you from combat, or from marshalling duties, if they receive 3 letters of complaint about you.
2. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal must investigate these complaints in consultation with the responsible Group Fencing Marshal.
3. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal must inform you in writing of the suspension and the investigation.
4. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal must complete the investigation and make any rulings within 6 weeks of the suspension being imposed.

5.5 Disciplinary action

1. If you are suspended, the Kingdom Fencing Marshal can decide to take disciplinary action, after getting approval from the Kingdom Earl Marshal.
2. This action may include:
   • requiring you to re-train to address the issue that led to the suspension
   • revoking your authorisation.

Mandatory re-training

1. The Kingdom Fencing Marshal will offer you the chance to re-train to address the issue identified in the investigation.
2. If you agree, the Group Fencing Marshal will appoint an Authorising Fencing Marshal to help train you.
3. Once the trainer is satisfied that you have addressed the issue, they will provide a written report to the Group Fencing Marshal.
4. The Group Fencing Marshal will test you, with the assistance of an impartial Authorising Fencing Marshal, to confirm that the issue has been resolved.

The test might be:

1. • a verbal test to confirm that you understand the rules
   • a combat test, where you fight under the supervision of the impartial marshal to confirm that the issue has been resolved.
2. If the Group Fencing Marshal and their adviser consider the issue has been resolved, they will send a written report to the Kingdom Fencing Marshal.
3. Once the Kingdom Fencing Marshal is satisfied, they will notify you in writing that the suspension has been lifted, subject to a 12-month probationary period.

Revoking an authorisation

1. If you are suspended for a second time within your probationary period, The Kingdom Fencing Marshal will revoke your authorisation for 12 months.
2. After 12 months, you will have the opportunity to re-train and authorise as a new combatant or marshal.
3. If your authorisation is revoked twice, the Kingdom Fencing Marshal will recommend to the Kingdom Earl Marshal and to the Crown that your authorisation is permanently revoked.

5.6 Appeals

1. You have the right to appeal a decision to suspend you from combat at an event. You must make your appeal within 72 hours of being informed of the decision.
2. You should make your first appeal to the Fencing Marshal in Charge of the event. If you are not satisfied with the result, you can take your appeal (in writing) up the chain of command to the:
   • Group Fencing Marshal
   • Kingdom Fencing Marshal
   • Kingdom Earl Marshal.
3. You have the right to appeal any decision by the Kingdom Fencing Marshal or the Kingdom Earl Marshal to suspend you, require re-training, or revoke your authorisation. You must lodge your appeal within 72 hours of being informed of the decision.
4. Appeals against decisions by the Kingdom Earl Marshal shall be heard by the Crown in a Quarter Court.
5. All appeals are covered by the grievance procedure in Kingdom Law [link].