There are two kinds of complaint – Adjudication Complaints and more general Debating Complaints (relating not to the adjudication but to the wider conduct of the debate).

Adjudication Complaints

Occasionally, problems do occur with adjudications. These are the guidelines for making a complaint:

1. Grounds for complaint
There is not a list of pre-defined grounds for making an adjudication complaint. We would refer you to the Australia-Asia Debating Guide, which is available for purchase from the DAV office and can also be downloaded from the Resources section of www.dav.com.au.

2. Correct format of complaint
There are two requirements:
– complaints must be submitted with a Complaint Cover Sheet
– the complaint can only be made by the supervising teacher from the school involved (although you may attach statements from non-teachers and any other information if it will help clarify your case).

3. Time of complaint
Complaints must be received within two weeks of the date of the relevant debate.

4. Appropriate Conduct
Under no circumstances should complaints be discussed with any representative from any other school. If you have a complaint, use the complaints process, do not harass the people involved.

The Vice-President (Adjudication & Training), Jonathan Benney, will consider your complaint, and reach one of two decisions:

a. The complaint may be upheld. In this case, a ‘dispensation’ will be granted: if, but for the loss, the team would have qualified for the finals, they will be admitted to the finals series.
b. The complaint may not be upheld, in which case the result of the debate will stand.


Debating Complaints

These cover more general complaints about the circumstances surrounding the debate (not the adjudication).

Code of Conduct complaints should be lodged as Debating Complaints.

Debating Complaints must be addressed to the Vice President (Schools), Chris Hibbard, and should concisely relate the relevant facts and should be signed by the Debating Coordinator.

The DAV Executive must approve any significant action to be taken as a result of a debating complaint (remedies broadly include granting a dispensation, or suspending a team from the competition).


Complaint Cover Sheet (PDF Format)