Exclusive Jurisdiction of IGET

The International Games and Esports Tribunal (IGET) is the exclusive body for hearing appeals related to any decisions or sanctions imposed by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). Appeals will be handled in accordance with the IGET’s established alternative dispute resolution (ADR) framework, which provides for both mediation and arbitration services. Unless otherwise stated, all references to the “Appeal Panel” in previous documents now refer to the IGET.

Initiation of an Appeal

1. Appeal Procedure
   

   All decisions of the ESIC may be appealed exclusively to the IGET using the following procedure:

   • Appeal Notice: Any Party wishing to challenge a decision by ESIC must submit a written notice of appeal to the IGET within 48 hours of receipt of the ESIC sanction and/or decision. The notice must include a clear statement of grounds for the appeal and any accompanying documents.
   • Acknowledgment and Preliminary Assessment: IGET will acknowledge receipt of the appeal within 48 hours. A preliminary review will be conducted to assess whether leave is to be granted for IGET to proceed with the appeal. If any deficiencies are found, the Participant will be notified and given 48 hours to rectify.


2. Fast-Track Process
   

   Unless otherwise requested, appeals will be reviewed under IGET’s fast-track arbitration process, which is conducted entirely through written submissions. The fast-track process is designed to ensure an efficient, expeditious, and cost-effective resolution of appeals.

   • Within 14 days of accepting the appeal, IGET will appoint a sole arbitrator or an arbitral tribunal consisting of three arbitrators (depending on the nature of the case and the applicable rules) to conduct a de novo review of the case based on the submissions provided.
   • The arbitrator shall issue a written award outlining its findings and the reasoning behind the decision within 28 days of concluding its review.

Request for Formal Hearing

Participants may request a formal, in-person or virtual hearing only under the following conditions:

• Express Written Request: The Participant must submit a separate written request for a formal hearing at the time of filing the initial notice of appeal.
• Approval by the nominated tribunal member/s: The tribunal, in its discretion, may grant or deny such a request.
• Hearing Process: If the arbitral tribunal approves a formal hearing, the appeal will be transferred to the IGET’s standard arbitration track and will be conducted according to IGET’s Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The timeline, structure, and nature of the hearing will be determined by a sole arbitrator or an arbitral tribunal consisting of three arbitrators appointed to decide the matter.

Scope and Powers of the arbitral tribunal under the IGET Rules

• De Novo Review: The arbitral tribunal will conduct the appeal as a de novo review, meaning it will consider the matter anew, without being bound by the facts established or the merits decided in the initial decision of ESIC.
• Modification of Sanctions: The arbitral tribunal may uphold, modify, or overturn the original decision, including increasing or decreasing sanctions, provided that the final sanction is within the permissible range defined in ESIC’s Code or Policy.
• Costs and Fees: The arbitral tribunal may order the appealing party to bear the costs of the appeal, including legal and procedural fees, if it determines that the appeal was conducted in bad faith or was frivolous.

Finality of IGET Arbitral Tribunal’s Decisions

The award rendered by the arbitral tribunal under the IGET Rules is the final and binding, with no further recourse available to either party, except as may be explicitly allowed under IGET’s Arbitration Rules or applicable law.

Waiver of Appeal Rights

The Parties who accept the initial sanction proposed by ESIC as part of an early resolution mechanism or who fail to submit a timely appeal notice will be deemed to have waived their right to appeal. No subsequent appeal can be lodged unless expressly permitted under IGET’s jurisdictional exceptions.

Publication and Communication

All awards will be communicated in writing to the Parties and ESIC. An anonymized version of the award may be publicly disclosed to ensure transparency, subject to applicable confidentiality rules.

Transitional Provisions

The IGET will take over the appeals previously handled under the ESIC Disciplinary Procedure effective from the date of its formal establishment. Any ongoing appeals at the time of IGET’s establishment will be transferred to IGET and conducted in accordance with this revised process.