The conditions relating to the adjudication of protests shall be:
(a) Immediately after the correct lodgement of a protest, the Referee or the Area Referee or the Sectional Referee (as appropriate for the competition) may either adjudicate on the protest, as provided for in this clause 14.3, or refer the matter directly to the Competition Appeals Committee Convener for consideration.
Note: There is no fee when protesting a decision or if the Referee (or their delegate) refers the protest directly to the Appeals Committee without first making a decision on the protest.
(b) Where the Referee or the Area Referee or the Sectional Referee considers (in their absolute discretion) that a protest is frivolous, or not of a serious nature, they may choose not to accept the protest.
(c) The assistance of video or other electronic aids may be used to consider protests. However, the onus is on the protestor to provide proof of authenticity, and any clearly viewable evidence and viewing mechanisms, within 15 minutes of the protest being lodged with the Referee/Area Referee/Sectional Referee (as appropriate).
Note: A minimum 9 inch tablet type device with high definition display is generally considered to be the minimum size to properly adjudicate on a protest (or appeal).
(d) Where the Referee or the Area Referee or the Sectional Referee accepts the protest, they will adjudicate on the protest in such manner as they see fit having regard to the interests of the competitor making the protest, all other competitors and all officials in the event and also the conduct of the event itself.
Note: Should it be determined that there was a technical or an administrative error in recording either the disqualification or protest reference, the error can be corrected, and the protest or appeal proceed without prejudice.
(e) Where the Referee or the Area Referee or the Sectional Referee refuses to accept a protest or dismisses a protest, the decision may be appealed by the competitor to the Competition Appeals Committee. Such an appeal must be lodged with the Appeals Committee Convenor in writing within 15 minutes of the Referee or Sectional Referee advising the competitor of their decision.