Rules for Fair Play - Effective from 3 March 2019

This thread contains rules of fair play when playing on Playdiplomacy.com.
It DOES NOT contain the Site's general rules for using Playdip and the Playdip Forum. These are posted here. But these Fair Play rules are very much an addition to the Site Use rules, and where necessary the Site Rules content will be reproduced for reinforcement.
Fair Play Rules links are also provided to different posts within this thread.
The Rules for Fair Play are based upon the original rules written by Diplomat and it is with acknowledgement to him that they are presented.
INTRODUCTION
The Rules for Fair Play state what rules govern playing games on the site. They are in different sections and each section will have its own post:
A. General Rules.
B. Rules Specific to Variants.
C. Game Classes - Rank, No Rank, Friends and Schools Games.
D. Separating of Games from the Forum.
E. Appeals Process.
Addenda.
Please note the intention here is NOT to present the rules of the game or of variants. These can be found using the following links:
Rules of Diplomacy can be found under the HELP tab.
Off-site link to the official published Rules is HERE. These were published in 2000. A later edition exists but it doesn't change the rules at all (and uses much more data): off-site link HERE.
Rules for Variants can be found within this sub-forum.
ETHOS
Some of these House Rules are difficult to enforce. However that does not mean they shouldn’t be enforced! The ideal is that there will be no cheating on site but that, of course, doesn’t mean there won’t be: for whatever reason, some members will seek to break the rules.
The site and its management reserve the right to enforce these rules and sanction any member who breaks them irrespective of whether the individual concerned agrees with or accepts those rules, whatever the status of the member’s account.
HOW MODERATORS AND INVESTIGATORS REACH THEIR DECISIONS
When investigating cheating we use the evidence available. Where this evidence is persuasive actions will be taken without reference to the individual(s) involved. Members will usually be contacted by email (using the address linked to the account) explaining what actions were taken and why.
Where the evidence is inconclusive members may be contacted by email and/or PM so that the situation can be clarified. However, Moderators and Investigators are NOT obligated to do this.
No action will be taken if the investigation is inconclusive and/or there is insufficient evidence.
There will, of course, never be complete proof that cheating has occurred. Decisions are made upon the evidence available. Moderators and Investigators are committed to carrying out a thorough investigation of the evidence; however, mistakes may occasionally be made and individuals may appeal against a decision. Decisions may be reversed where this is felt appropriate.
Moderators and Investigators have been given the freedom to act within certain guidelines. Any decision will be a balanced one, depending upon the circumstances.
Any action that affects games will be posted in the Cheaters forum.
SITE RULES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MODIFICATION AT ANY TIME.
See also: RULES FOR FAIR USE.
It DOES NOT contain the Site's general rules for using Playdip and the Playdip Forum. These are posted here. But these Fair Play rules are very much an addition to the Site Use rules, and where necessary the Site Rules content will be reproduced for reinforcement.
Fair Play Rules links are also provided to different posts within this thread.
The Rules for Fair Play are based upon the original rules written by Diplomat and it is with acknowledgement to him that they are presented.
INTRODUCTION
The Rules for Fair Play state what rules govern playing games on the site. They are in different sections and each section will have its own post:
A. General Rules.
B. Rules Specific to Variants.
C. Game Classes - Rank, No Rank, Friends and Schools Games.
D. Separating of Games from the Forum.
E. Appeals Process.
Addenda.
Please note the intention here is NOT to present the rules of the game or of variants. These can be found using the following links:
Rules of Diplomacy can be found under the HELP tab.
Off-site link to the official published Rules is HERE. These were published in 2000. A later edition exists but it doesn't change the rules at all (and uses much more data): off-site link HERE.
Rules for Variants can be found within this sub-forum.
ETHOS
Some of these House Rules are difficult to enforce. However that does not mean they shouldn’t be enforced! The ideal is that there will be no cheating on site but that, of course, doesn’t mean there won’t be: for whatever reason, some members will seek to break the rules.
The site and its management reserve the right to enforce these rules and sanction any member who breaks them irrespective of whether the individual concerned agrees with or accepts those rules, whatever the status of the member’s account.
HOW MODERATORS AND INVESTIGATORS REACH THEIR DECISIONS
When investigating cheating we use the evidence available. Where this evidence is persuasive actions will be taken without reference to the individual(s) involved. Members will usually be contacted by email (using the address linked to the account) explaining what actions were taken and why.
Where the evidence is inconclusive members may be contacted by email and/or PM so that the situation can be clarified. However, Moderators and Investigators are NOT obligated to do this.
No action will be taken if the investigation is inconclusive and/or there is insufficient evidence.
There will, of course, never be complete proof that cheating has occurred. Decisions are made upon the evidence available. Moderators and Investigators are committed to carrying out a thorough investigation of the evidence; however, mistakes may occasionally be made and individuals may appeal against a decision. Decisions may be reversed where this is felt appropriate.
Moderators and Investigators have been given the freedom to act within certain guidelines. Any decision will be a balanced one, depending upon the circumstances.
Any action that affects games will be posted in the Cheaters forum.
SITE RULES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MODIFICATION AT ANY TIME.
See also: RULES FOR FAIR USE.