The Laws and Ethics Committee has provided a summary of disciplinary cases that have taken place since March 2020. This shows that 73 cases involving 111 members were started. 40 of them involved accusations of collusive cheating, 17 of self-kibitzing, 8 of online rudeness and 8 of other misconduct.
Of the 40 collusion cases, 17 reached a disciplinary hearing, 14 sanctions were imposed on 28 members, 1 was found not guilty, 1 was overturned following a re-hearing ordered after an appeal and 1 was dismissed on appeal.
Of the 17 self-kibitzing cases, 11 reached a disciplinary hearing, 9 had sanctions imposed, 1 was found not guilty and 1 was overturned after appeal.
In addition, during this period and arising from these cases there has been one claim made against the EBU in the High Court which the court dismissed, describing part of the argument as “hopeless”. Costs, which were modest, were awarded against the claimant. A further claim was brought against the EBU in the county court but withdrawn by the member after nearly two years when it was clear there was no chance of success. Costs are also being sought against the claimant. Two further threats of lawsuits by members for defamation were withdrawn by them.
