DOCUMENT 2 — THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CENTRE CHARTER

Charter Hall — The Dispute Settlement Centre Charter Effective: [Date] Version: 1.0 Status: Procedural Charter (binding within the Centre's procedures; not a contractual document)

Note on naming. For Member-facing navigation and copy, Circlworld uses simplified naming: this surface is labelled Resolutions in the CirclCentral navigation, page headings, and Member-facing CTAs. The institutional architecture in this Charter — "Dispute Settlement Centre" — remains canonical for operative and institutional purposes (counsel materials, regulator submissions, Outlet partner communications). The two layers coexist intentionally per the District Language Reframe brief (1 June 2026). Members asking about "Resolutions" or "the Dispute Settlement Centre" find the same surface.

Preamble — Why this Charter exists

The Dispute Settlement Centre is the place inside CirclCentral where Members work out disagreements arising from Circlworld-coordinated activity. It is not a court of law. It does not issue legally binding orders. It cannot compel payment, send anyone to jail, or override the courts of any jurisdiction.

What it does is help Members settle disagreements through structured, AI-assisted, and human-mediated processes — proportionate to the size and nature of the dispute, accessible without lawyers, and supported by documentation suitable for use in real-world courts if settlement is not reached.

This Charter sets out how the Centre operates: what it does, what it does not do, who runs it, how procedures work, what protections are in place, and what happens at each stage.

This Charter is binding within the Centre's procedures (procedural rules are not optional). It is not a contract between you and Circlworld; the contract is in the Member Agreement and Terms of Service.

Section 1 — Scope of the Centre

1.1 Disputes the Centre can handle

The Centre can help with disagreements arising from Circlworld-coordinated activity:

(a) Missed, late, or disputed contributions in a Circle (b) Disagreements about payouts (timing, amount, recipient) (c) Disagreements about how a Treasurer is administering a Circle (d) Disagreements about Circle Bylaws interpretation (e) Disputed Standing or Credibility Report data (f) Disagreements about Trust Passport claims (g) Storefront / CirclShop purchase disputes where Circlworld is not the other party (h) Disagreements about cultural representation in a Circle (handled per Circle Bylaws; escalable through the Petitions Office for platform-wide concerns)

1.2 Disputes the Centre cannot handle

The Centre is not the right place for the following. Where these arise, the Centre will tell you clearly and will help you find where to go.

(a) Suspected criminal activity — fraud, theft, threats, abuse, harassment of a criminal kind. Refer to police; the Centre's Help Office will support you through the referral.

(b) Mental health crisis or safety concerns — refer to the Wellbeing Centre; emergency services where life is at risk.

(c) Family-court matters — divorce, custody, financial settlements between spouses or partners outside Circlworld.

(d) Employment disputes — between the Member and an employer, even where one party is also a Circlworld Member.

(e) Substantial cross-border matters above £2,000 where jurisdictional complexity warrants real legal counsel — the Centre will refer you to qualified counsel.

(f) Matters not connected to Circlworld activity — disputes between Members about matters unrelated to their participation on the platform.

1.3 Out-routing

Where a matter falls outside scope, the Centre will:

(a) tell you so clearly; (b) explain why; (c) provide referrals to appropriate alternatives (police, Wellbeing Centre, qualified legal counsel, family law support, emergency services as the case requires); (d) preserve any documentation you may need if you pursue the matter elsewhere; (e) not penalise you for raising a matter that turned out to be out of scope.

Section 2 — Principles by which the Centre operates

2.1 Settlement-encouraged

The Centre's purpose is to help Members reach settlements. Settlement is not required; if you cannot settle, you retain all rights to pursue the matter elsewhere. But settlement is what we are here for.

2.2 Procedurally rigorous

Procedures inspired by the Civil Procedure Rules Small Claims Track ensure cases follow defined stages with structured documentation. The procedural rigour serves a specific purpose: it makes the Centre's outputs (records, settlement agreements, Recommended Outcomes, Evidence Packs) suitable for use in real-world courts if you need to escalate.

2.3 Honest about what we are

The Centre is not a court. We say this prominently and repeatedly because we mean it. We are a structured mediation facility. Our outputs are settlements between Members, not orders from a judge.

2.4 Member-protective

The procedures are designed so that:

(a) Members can use the Centre without lawyers; (b) Members have access to real-world legal advisory referrals at every stage; (c) Members can decline settlement and pursue legal action without penalty; (d) Members in financial hardship are not excluded by fees; (e) Members in crisis are referred to appropriate care, not pushed through procedure.

2.5 Non-custodial throughout

The Centre does not hold money, even for settlement. Any payment between parties as part of a settlement flows directly between them via existing payment rails. The Centre records the settlement; the Members make the transfer.

2.6 Confidential by default

Cases are private to the parties and the mediator. Anonymised summaries may be published with consent of both parties for the benefit of the broader Member community. Mediation communications are protected under the rules in clause 7 of the Member Agreement.

2.7 Cultural awareness

The Centre's procedures, materials, and staff training are reviewed periodically by the platform. Where a dispute involves tradition-specific matters, the Centre gives effect to the relevant Circle Bylaws and the parties' own submissions; the Centre does not maintain a Cultural Advisor layer (see Cultural Architecture Policy v2.0).

Section 3 — Procedure: the full case journey

Stage 0 — Direct conversation

Before any formal step, we ask Members to consider talking directly to the other party. Most disagreements resolve here. The Centre does not require Stage 0 to have happened, but we encourage it.

Stage 1 — Dashboard conciliation

Stage 1.1 Initiating a concern

From the Member's dashboard, the Member raises a concern. The AI conciliation feature walks the Member through:

(a) what happened; (b) when; (c) what evidence they have; (d) what outcome they are seeking.

Stage 1.2 Sharing with the other party

The initiating Member reviews the structured statement and consents to share it with the other party. The other party receives notification through the platform.

Stage 1.3 AI assistance to both parties

AI conciliation helps both parties understand the matter and respond. AI proposes settlement paths (apology, partial repayment, schedule adjustment, Standing correction, future-conduct agreement). AI never adjudicates; humans decide.

Stage 1.4 AI safeguards

If at any point the AI conciliation detects:

(a) suspected criminal activity, threats, or abuse → conciliation pauses; the matter is routed to police / appropriate authority with Centre staff support; (b) suspected mental health crisis → conciliation pauses; Care Concierge is engaged; (c) cultural-context matters → conciliation continues with reference to the parties' own Circle Bylaws and submissions; (d) requests for legal advice → conciliation continues with explicit referral to the legal advisory list.

Stage 1.5 Settlement window

The default settlement window for Stage 1 is 14 days from the initial concern.

Stage 1.6 Outcomes of Stage 1

• Settled. Recorded as a private agreement between the parties (amendment to the Inter-Member Contract). No public record. No automatic Standing impact unless the parties agreed.
• Not settled, no escalation. Closed with no formal record beyond the Members' own files.
• Escalated. Either party requests Stage 2; or 14 days have passed without settlement and the initiating party elects to proceed.

Stage 2 — Formal filing

Stage 2.1 The consent gate

Before formal proceedings begin, both Members must give affirmative consent. The consent statement explicitly confirms:

(a) understanding that the Centre is not a court; (b) understanding that outcomes are settlements, not legally binding orders; (c) commitment to participate in good faith; (d) commitment to honour any settlement reached or recommendation accepted; (e) understanding that real-world legal rights are retained; (f) confirmation that the Member has been informed of independent legal advisory referrals; (g) understanding of the cost structure (filing fee, Evidence Pack pricing).

The consent statement is recorded cryptographically.

Stage 2.2 Filing fee

A £10 filing fee is paid by the initiating party. The fee is refundable in full if:

(a) the matter settles in mediation; (b) the initiating party prevails in the case; (c) the case is determined to be out of scope and routed elsewhere; (d) hardship waiver applies.

Stage 2.3 Filing documents

The initiating party files:

(a) the structured statement of claim (built on the Stage 1 statement); (b) evidence already gathered; (c) the outcome sought; (d) any preferences (mediator type, urgency, accommodations).

Stage 2.4 Service

The responding party is notified through the platform. The notice includes:

(a) the structured claim; (b) the consent statement they must sign before participating; (c) the legal advisory referrals; (d) 14 days to respond.

Stage 2.5 Defence and counter-claim

The responding party may:

(a) file a defence and evidence; (b) file a counter-claim against the initiating party; (c) decline consent (in which case the case closes; the initiating party may pursue real-world action; an Evidence Pack will be provided to the initiating party on request).

Stage 3 — Triage

Stage 3.1 Centre review

A Centre staff member reviews the case to confirm scope, identify any urgent flags, and assign the appropriate track.

Stage 3.2 Triage outcomes

(a) In-scope, suitable for Track A (mediation) — most cases. (b) In-scope, suitable for Track B (adjudication, after mediation) — typically because the matter is complex or one party has indicated they will not engage in mediation in good faith. (c) Out of scope — routed out per Section 1.2. (d) Conflicting matters — paused, with explanation, until a related Centre matter is resolved.

Stage 3.3 Triage protections

If triage identifies:

(a) likely criminal activity → routed out with police referral; (b) cultural-context matters → reference to Circle Bylaws and the parties' submissions; (c) Wellbeing concerns → Care Concierge engagement; (d) cross-border complexity requiring legal counsel → referral to legal counsel.

Stage 4 — Mediation (Track A)

Stage 4.1 Mediator assignment

A trained mediator is assigned. Members may:

(a) request reassignment for documented conflict of interest; (b) request a mediator with specific cultural background where the dispute has cultural dimensions (subject to availability); (c) decline a specific assigned mediator once without giving reason.

Stage 4.2 The mediation thread

A dedicated encrypted thread is created for the mediation. This thread is:

(a) accessible only to the parties and the mediator; (b) protected under without-prejudice principles per clause 7 of the Member Agreement; (c) not accessible to AI features for any purpose other than the mediator's tooling; (d) retained per the Privacy Policy retention schedule.

Stage 4.3 Evidence period

The mediator may request, and parties may submit, evidence including:

(a) contribution and payout records (auto-pulled from Platform with party consent); (b) Circle Bylaws at the relevant time; (c) communications between parties (only with both-party consent); (d) Standing data at relevant times; (e) witness statements from other Circle Members; (f) documents and other supporting material.

Stage 4.4 Mediation sessions

Mediation is conducted asynchronously by default — through structured exchanges over a defined period (typically 21 days). Synchronous video sessions may be scheduled at the mediator's discretion and with the parties' consent.

Stage 4.5 Mediator role

The mediator:

(a) facilitates structured conversation; (b) identifies underlying interests of each party; (c) proposes settlement frameworks; (d) never adjudicates or imposes outcome; (e) reports to the Centre on procedural compliance, not on substantive content.

Stage 4.6 Outcomes of mediation

• Settled. The settlement is documented in a Settlement Agreement, signed cryptographically by both parties and witnessed by the mediator. Becomes a binding amendment to the Inter-Member Contract.
• Not settled, parties may proceed to Track B — adjudication track.
• Not settled, parties walk away. Case closes. Either party may pursue real-world action; Evidence Pack provided on request.

Stage 5 — Adjudication (Track B)

Track B is engaged only where mediation has failed or where the parties have agreed at filing that Track B is appropriate.

Stage 5.1 The Recommended Outcome

A senior mediator or contracted adjudicator (per Section 4 below) reviews the case file (filings, evidence, mediation reports — but not without-prejudice content) and issues a written Recommended Settlement Outcome.

Stage 5.2 What the Recommended Outcome contains

(a) Findings of fact based on the evidence; (b) Reasoning; (c) The recommended outcome (apology, payment, Standing correction, future-conduct agreement, or other); (d) Reasoning for the recommendation; (e) Cultural considerations where relevant; (f) Costs allocation between the parties.

Stage 5.3 The Recommended Outcome is not binding

It is a structured recommendation. Either party may:

(a) accept it (in which case it becomes a settlement and binds them as contract); (b) reject it (in which case the case closes; the party retains all rights to real-world action; Evidence Pack provided); (c) propose modifications and re-engage in mediation.

Stage 5.4 Publication

Recommended Outcomes are anonymised and published in the Centre's Records Hall as procedural precedent, unless either party objects within 30 days of issue.

Stage 6 — Outcome implementation

Stage 6.1 Where settlement involves payment

Payments flow directly between the parties via their existing payment rails. Circlworld never custodies settlement money. The Centre records that the settlement was reached and may record confirmation of receipt by the recipient.

Stage 6.2 Where settlement involves Standing impact

Standing correction is applied per the Credibility Methodology. Where Standing is adjusted by agreement, the adjustment is recorded.

Stage 6.3 Where settlement involves apology

The apology is recorded in the Settlement Agreement.

Stage 6.4 Where settlement involves future-conduct

The agreement is recorded as a binding term of the Inter-Member Contract.

Stage 6.5 Where settlement involves Circle Bylaws amendment

The amendment is applied per the Circle's own variation rules.

Stage 7 — Appeal

Stage 7.1 Grounds for appeal

A party may appeal within 14 days of the close of Stage 6 on grounds of:

(a) procedural error materially affecting the outcome; (b) new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the original case.

Stage 7.2 Appeal procedure

A senior mediator or adjudicator not involved in the original case reviews the appeal. The appeal is decided on the documentary record.

Stage 7.3 Appeal outcomes

(a) Appeal upheld: original outcome set aside; case may be re-mediated or closed; affected payments refunded where applicable. (b) Appeal denied: original outcome stands.

Stage 7.4 Limit

One internal appeal only. After Stage 7, the Centre's involvement is complete. Real-world legal options remain available.

Stage 8 — Real-world escalation

At any point where a case closes without settlement, the Member may pursue real-world action. The Centre will:

(a) provide an Evidence Pack on the standard pricing terms; (b) provide referrals to legal counsel; (c) record (with consent) the fact that the Centre matter has closed; (d) not penalise the Member for proceeding to court.

Section 4 — Who staffs the Centre

4.1 Mediators (Phase 1)

Phase 1 mediation is conducted by in-house Circlworld staff who are:

(a) certified by the Civil Mediation Council (UK) or equivalent recognised body; (b) trained in the Centre's specific procedures, the inviolable principles, cultural sensitivity, and the Charter; (c) bound by conflict-of-interest declarations; (d) compensated as employees or contractors (not by case outcome).

4.2 Mediator pool expansion (Phase 2)

In Phase 2, the mediator pool expands to include Member-elected mediators. Member-elected mediators:

(a) are elected through Town Hall procedures; (b) complete the same certification and training as staff mediators; (c) serve rotating terms; (d) may be removed by Town Hall on grounds of conduct or competence.

4.3 Adjudicators (Phase 2+)

Track B adjudication is conducted by:

(a) senior mediators with substantial experience; or (b) contracted qualified individuals (UK barristers/solicitors, Jamaican attorneys-at-law, equivalents in other jurisdictions); or (c) senior community-tradition mediators recommended by the parties or by their Circles.

4.4 Selection committee

Adjudicators are appointed by the Centre Selection Committee comprising:

(a) the Founder; (b) 2-3 community-of-practice members (rotating; selected by the platform with member input via the Petitions Office); (c) 1 elected Member representative.

Appointments and conflict declarations are published in the Records Hall.

4.5 Standards of conduct

All Centre staff and adjudicators are bound by:

(a) confidentiality; (b) impartiality; (c) conflict-of-interest disclosure; (d) cultural sensitivity; (e) the Charter and procedures; (f) the inviolable principles.

Breach of these standards results in case reassignment, performance review, and (where serious) removal.

4.6 Removal

A Centre staff member or adjudicator may be removed by the Selection Committee on grounds of:

(a) breach of their undertakings; (b) failure to maintain required certifications; (c) sustained inability to fulfil duties; (d) conduct incompatible with the role.

Removals are published in the Records Hall.

Section 5 — Documentation and records

5.1 What the Centre produces

(a) Case Record — full file: filings, evidence, mediator notes (excluding without-prejudice content), procedural steps, status, timeline. Private to the parties and the Centre.

(b) Consent Statement — cryptographically signed acknowledgement by both parties.

(c) Settlement Agreement — where settlement is reached.

(d) Recommended Outcome — for Track B cases.

(e) Precedent Summary — anonymised, structured, published quarterly.

(f) Standing Impact Record — where Standing is adjusted.

(g) Annual Centre Report — published in the Records Hall: total cases, settled vs adjudicated, by track, by category, average resolution time, appeal rate, Member satisfaction (post-case survey, voluntary).

5.2 Public vs private content

| Content | Visibility | |---|---| | Case Record (full) | Parties and Centre only | | Consent Statements | Parties and Centre only; aggregate count may be published | | Settlement Agreement | Parties only | | Settlement Outcome (anonymised summary) | Public in Records Hall (with party consent) | | Recommended Outcome (full) | Parties only | | Recommended Outcome (anonymised summary) | Public in Records Hall (after 30-day objection window) | | Mediation thread content | Parties and mediator only; without-prejudice protected | | Standing Impact Record | Affected Member only; visible on their Standing | | Annual Centre Report | Public | | Adjudicator panel listings | Public |

5.3 Retention

(a) Case files retained 6 years from case closure (Limitation Act 1980); (b) Settlement Agreements retained for the duration of the Inter-Member Contract plus 6 years; (c) Mediation thread content retained 6 years from case closure; (d) Anonymised summaries retained indefinitely.

Section 6 — Costs and waivers

6.1 Filing fee

£10 per case, refundable as set out in Section 3.2.

6.2 Evidence Pack fees

Per the Evidence Pack Methodology:

(a) Free for Credit Builder, Pro, Business Subscribers; (b) £29 for Free-tier Members; (c) Hardship waiver available.

6.3 Hardship waiver

A Member may request a hardship waiver of all Centre fees by application to the Help Office. The Help Office reviews:

(a) Member's stated circumstances; (b) Member's tier status; (c) Member's pattern of activity on the Platform; (d) any supporting documentation provided.

Waivers are granted where the Help Office is satisfied that paying the fee would create genuine hardship. Decisions are made within 5 Business Days.

6.4 No charge for legal advisory referrals

The Centre does not charge for referrals to qualified legal counsel.

Section 7 — Member rights within the Centre

A Member using the Centre has the right to:

(a) Withdraw consent at any time before settlement is reached; (b) Refuse settlement and pursue real-world action; (c) Request a different mediator on grounds of conflict of interest; (d) Access independent legal advice at any time; (e) Request a hardship waiver of fees; (f) Appeal procedural errors (Stage 7); (g) Receive an Evidence Pack of their case records; (h) Have cultural context taken into account through their own Circle Bylaws and case submissions; (i) Be treated with dignity throughout, regardless of the matter or its outcome; (j) Object to publication of anonymised case summaries within 30 days of issue.

Section 8 — The Centre's structure (the five rooms)

The Centre has five operational areas:

8.1 The Reception Hall

Landing surface explaining what the Centre is and what it isn't; links to advisory; the affirmative consent gate. The full landing page text is in Section 10 of Amendment 03 to the architecture.

8.2 The Conciliation Office

Where Stage 1 dashboard-initiated AI conciliation runs.

8.3 The Settlement Chambers

Where Stage 2-4 formally-filed cases under mediation reside; private to parties.

8.4 The Records Hall

Public records: anonymised precedent summaries, annual transparency reports, mediator panel listings, the published Charter and consent statement.

8.5 The Help Office

Get help understanding the Centre, request a fee waiver, find legal advisory referrals, file an appeal, report mediator misconduct.

Section 9 — Cultural context in the Centre

Editorial note 2026-05-30: This section was previously titled "Cultural sensitivity in the Centre" and deferred to "Cultural Advisor consultation." Per the Cultural Architecture Policy v2.0, the Cultural Advisor decisioning layer has been retired. Cultural context in disputes is now handled through member-led processes: the parties' own Circle Bylaws, the mediator's case-by-case judgment, and the Centre's general procedural Charter.

9.1 Tradition-specific considerations brought by the parties

Where a dispute arises within a Circle whose Bylaws have adopted specific tradition-based practices (pardna, susu, chama, ajo, kameti, paluwagan, tanda, kye, hui, or another tradition the Circle has chosen), the Centre takes account of those practices as a matter of giving effect to the Circle's own agreed Bylaws:

(a) the parties may submit relevant tradition-specific norms as part of their case materials; (b) the mediator considers those norms alongside the procedural Charter; (c) tradition-specific dispute-resolution practices may inform the procedure where the parties agree; (d) tradition-specific apologies, restitutions, or other outcomes may form part of a Settlement Agreement where the parties agree.

The Centre does not impose tradition-specific norms; it gives effect to what the parties themselves have agreed in their Circle Bylaws.

9.2 Without prejudice to legal rights

Cultural context does not override Members' legal rights. A Member may always pursue the formal procedure and external judicial recourse regardless of any tradition-specific norms in the Circle Bylaws.

9.3 Cross-cultural disputes

Where a dispute involves Members whose Circle Bylaws reference different traditions, the Centre defaults to the formal procedure in this Charter without imposing one tradition's dispute norms on a Member of another tradition. The parties may by mutual agreement select a tradition-specific procedure for their case.

Section 10 — Limitations and acknowledgement

10.1 What the Centre is not

The Centre is not:

(a) a court of law; (b) an arbitral tribunal within the meaning of the Arbitration Act 1996; (c) a regulator; (d) a credit reference agency; (e) a financial institution; (f) a guarantor of any Member's performance.

10.2 What the Centre cannot do

The Centre cannot:

(a) compel any Member to attend, respond, or pay; (b) enforce settlements against an unwilling party (this is what real courts do); (c) override any judgment of any court; (d) issue findings on matters of law; (e) provide legal advice; (f) provide financial advice.

10.3 What members should understand

Using the Centre is voluntary. Outcomes from the Centre are settlements between Members, not court orders. Members retain all real-world legal rights. The Centre will help with documentation if real-world action is needed.

10.4 Acknowledgement before any case opens

Before participating in any formal case at the Centre, a Member must acknowledge their understanding of clauses 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3 of this Charter. This acknowledgement is the affirmative consent gate (Stage 2.1).

Section 11 — Review and amendment

11.1 This Charter is reviewed annually.

11.2 Amendments

(a) Material amendments to the Charter are notified to Members at least 30 days in advance. (b) Members may object through the Help Office; objections are reviewed by the Selection Committee. (c) Amendments do not affect cases already in progress at the date of amendment.

11.3 Member input on amendments

Material amendments are reviewed via the Petitions Office and Town Hall before adoption. Members may petition for changes; threshold-met petitions receive a platform response that becomes part of the public record.

— End of the Dispute Settlement Centre Charter —