Every player has the right to expect:

• that the Director of Play (DOP) is competent and reliable.
• that the DOP has in his possession an official rulebook which is kept on the premises throughout the tournament.
• that any special rules pertinent to the particular tournament will be announced and posted.
• that the pairing system used is fair and impartial and that it will be administered uniformly.
• that the starting times of rounds will be posted and that rounds will start reasonably on time.
• that conditions such as lighting, space, noise, etc, be at an acceptable level conducive to good competition.
• that the DOP be available in case of protest and at all time controls.
• that the results of each round be posted in a timely fashion.
• that, upon request, the DOP will initiate the appeals process to the appointed Appeals Committee.

Every player has a responsibility:

• to conduct himself/herself in an orderly fashion.
• to compete in a spirit of good sportsmanship.
• to be present at the starting time for each round.
• to obey the laws of chess.
• to conform to the NSWCA Code of Ethics.

New South Wales Chess Association Code of Ethics

Preamble

1. The purpose of the rules and procedures set forth in this Code of Ethics is to provide articulated and ethical standards to which the conduct of players, tournament directors, sponsors, and other individuals and entities participating in or otherwise connected with tournaments, events, or other activities sponsored by the NSWCA Inc and/or its affiliates is to be conformed; to provide specified sanctions for conduct which does not conform to such standards; and to provide the procedures by which alleged violations are to be investigated and, if necessary, the appropriate sanctions to be imposed.

2. The standards, sanctions,and procedures set forth in this Code of Ethics are not equivalent to criminal laws and procedures inasmuch as they do not concern personal liberty or property rights.   Rather, this Code of Ethics is concerned with the rights and privileges of membership of the NSWCA Inc, including, but not limited to, the privilege of participating in tournaments, events, or other activities as a member of the NSWCA Inc.

3. The standards, sanctions, and procedures set forth in this Code of Ethics shall apply only to  (a) actions and behaviour that occur in connection with tournaments, events, or other activities sponsored by the NSWCA Inc or its affiliates; or  (b) individuals or entities who misrepresent the nature or extent of their association with the NSWCA Inc or its affiliates.

4. By applying for such membership, each member of the NSWCA Inc agrees to be bound by this Code of Ethics.

Standard of Conduct

5. The actions and behaviour of players, DOPs, sponsors, and other individuals and entities participating in or otherwise connected with tournaments, events, or other activities sponsored by the NSWCA Inc and/or its affiliates shall in general, be in accordance with the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship, which the NSWCA Inc and its affiliates, sponsors, and members have a right to expect from such participants, as illustrated by the examples below.

6. The following list does not purport to be a complete itemization of all actions and behaviour that are considered unethical:
1. Repeated or gross violation of chess proprieties or tournament regulations;
2. Accusations of unethical conduct at a NSWCA Inc sanctioned event, unless made in private to the DOP or other official;
3. Playing in a NSWCA Inc game or tournament when under suspension;
4. Betting on the results of any NSWCA Inc sponsored game or tournament;
5. Repeated or gross anti-social behaviour at the site of a NSWCA Inc sponsored game or tournament;
6. Non-payment of any justified sums owed to the NSWCA Inc or any of its affiliates;
7. Influencing or attempting to influence an entrant to withdraw from any event sponsored by the NSWCA Inc or any of its affiliates;
8. Any actions which bring disrepute on the game of chess.

Procedures

7. Any member, sponsor, affiliate, or official of the NSWCA Inc may initiate procedures under this Code of Ethics.   In the case of each alleged violation, the following steps shall occur:
1. A factual enquiry shall be made by the Disciplinary Committee as appointed by the Council of the NSWCA Inc, assisted as necessary by members of the Council;
2. Appropriate sanctions, if any, shall be imposed by the Disciplinary Committee (excepting that, in the case of suspensions and expulsions, Article 7 of the NSWCA Inc Constitution is to be applied);
3. Such sanctions shall be deemed final, unless appealed to the Council by the person or persons against whom sanctions have been imposed or upon the initiative of a member of the Council;
4. Upon appeal, a review of the facts and the appropriateness of the sanctions shall be undertaken by the full Council;
5. The sanctions shall be either continued, modified, or revoked.

8. In the case of any factual enquiry pursuant to step a. and, if appropriate, step d. above, the member challenged shall: receive notice of the date, time, and place of hearing; be furnished in writing of a description of the alleged violation; have the right to produce evidence on his behalf and to be present when any evidence is produced against him; and have the right to be present during the entire hearing.

Sanctions

9. In the case of every sanction that results in suspension or expulsion, a member may not participate in any NSWCA Inc sponsored tournament, event, or activity, including but not limited to:
1. Acting as non-playing captain.
2. Kibitzing any game or event.
3. Being physically present at the site of a tournament.
4. Participating in the corporate or business affairs of the NSWCA Inc or any affiliated organization.

10. Paragraphs 11 to 16 set forth suggested sanctions that may be imposed by appropriate disciplinary bodies.   The disciplinary body imposing the sanction may choose to issue a lesser or greater sanction than those set forth herein; likewise, it may vary, combine, or impose sanctions not set forth below.

11. Reprimand.
    A determination that a member has committed an offense warranting discipline becomes a matter of record, but no further sanction is imposed at the time.   A reprimand automatically carries a probation of at least three months; if the member is adjudged guilty of another offense during that period, he is then liable to further sanctions for both offenses.

12. Censure.
    A determination that a member has committed a serious offense warranting discipline becomes a matter of record, but no further sanction is imposed at the time.   Censure carries a probationary period of at least one year; if the member is adjudged guilty of another offense during that period, he is liable to further sanction for both offenses.

13. Suspended Sentence with Probation.
    A determination is made that a member has committed an offense warranting discipline.   When the discipline is imposed and execution thereof suspended, such suspension shall include probation for at least six months longer than the discipline imposed.   If a member is adjudged guilty of another offense during the period of probation, unless otherwise decreed, the original discipline shall be added to such discipline as may be imposed for the new offense.

14. Suspension.
    Suspension is a determination that a member has committed an offense warranting abrogation, for a specified period of time, of all membership rights and privileges.

15. Expulsion.
    Expulsion is a determination that a member has committed an offense warranting the permanent abrogation of all membership rights and privileges, including but not limited to those set forth in paragraph 9 above.   An expelled member may be re-admitted to membership only at a General Meeting of the NSWCA Inc (Ref. NSWCA Inc Constitution Article 7).   No application for reinstatement may be considered before two years from the date of expulsion.

16. Exclusion from Events.
    This is a more selective determination that a member has committed an offense warranting abrogation of the member's rights to play in certain specified events.

17. The effective date of a sanction imposed on a judged member shall be that date named by the Committee in its determination or, failing that, five days after oral or written notification of such sanction to the judged member.

18. The Secretary of the NSWCA Inc shall be advised, in writing, of each such notice, and such advice shall declare the date upon which the sanction became effective.   The Secretary shall in turn report each such sanction to the Council of the NSWCA Inc.