Section B — Hearings And Making Decisions

(a) A protest committee member shall declare any possible conflict of interest as soon as possible after becoming aware of it.

(b) A party to the hearing who believes a protest committee member has a conflict of interest shall object as soon as possible.

(c) A protest committee member with a conflict of interest shall not be a member of the protest committee for the hearing, unless:

• (1) all parties consent, or
• (2) the protest committee decides that the conflict of interest is not significant.

However, for World Sailing major events, or for other events as prescribed by the national authority of the venue, a person who has a conflict of interest shall not be a member of the protest committee.

(d) When deciding whether a conflict of interest is significant, the protest committee shall consider

• (1) the views of the parties,
• (2) the level of the conflict,
• (3) the level of the event,
• (4) the importance to each party of the case, and
• (5) the overall perception of fairness.

(e) Any written information provided under rule 63.6(b) shall include any conflict of interest declared by a protest committee member, and any decision by the protest committee under rule 63.3(c)(2).