Arbitration Committee

Arbitration Committee

The Arbitration Committee (often abbreviated as ArbCom) is the highest judicial body on various Wikipedia projects, including the English Wikipedia. Its primary role is to settle disputes that cannot be resolved through normal dispute resolution processes. The committee acts as a last resort for the most intractable Wikipedia disputes, particularly those involving complex issues of conduct, policies, and guidelines.

Formation and Structure[edit | edit source]

The Arbitration Committee is composed of community-elected members, whose number may vary across different Wikipedia projects. On the English Wikipedia, for example, the number of arbitrators has typically ranged from 12 to 15. Elections are held annually, and any active, registered member of the Wikipedia community is eligible to vote. Candidates for the committee are expected to have a strong history of contributions and an understanding of Wikipedia's policies and guidelines.

Functions and Powers[edit | edit source]

The Arbitration Committee has broad powers to resolve disputes, including the authority to impose sanctions on editors, restrict editing on certain topics, and in extreme cases, ban individuals from contributing to Wikipedia. The committee's decisions are made after a formal process of evidence gathering, discussion, and voting. While the Arbitration Committee has significant powers, it operates under the principle of minimum intervention necessary to resolve a dispute.

Criticism and Controversy[edit | edit source]

The Arbitration Committee has been subject to criticism and controversy. Critics argue that the committee's processes can be opaque, its decisions inconsistent, and that it wields too much power over the community. Supporters contend that the committee is an essential mechanism for resolving disputes that cannot be handled by other means and that it plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and quality of Wikipedia.