TheNeutrals.ORG™ — Governance

Institutional standards.Independently enforced.

TheNeutrals.ORG™ is governed by an independent framework of ethics, certification, conflict-of-interest, and quality assurance requirements. Every certified neutral, every evaluation, and every appointment operates under this framework.

View our standards → Certification pathways

Our governance framework

Six pillars. All binding. All enforced.

The TheNeutrals.ORG™ governance framework is a set of binding requirements — not aspirational principles. Every neutral on the bench operates under all six simultaneously.

Code of Ethical Conduct

Binding on every certified neutral. Covers neutrality, confidentiality, conflict disclosure, competence, and professional responsibility. Non-compliance results in suspension or removal from the bench.

Conflict of Interest Protocol

Mandatory conflict-of-interest checks before every appointment. Neutrals must disclose any prior relationship with any party, related entity, or counsel. Appointments proceed only on confirmed clearance.

INDS™ Quality Standards

Every evaluation must meet all eight mandatory quality standards: neutral, factual, human-aware, structured, concise, legally safe, consistent, and complete. Reports are subject to post-delivery quality review.

Confidentiality Framework

All information shared with a certified neutral is protected under the TheNeutrals.ORG™ Confidentiality Framework. No disclosure without explicit party consent. Secure archival. Data protection compliance.

Certification Standards

Next-Gen Neutral™, Accredited Neutral™, and Fellow of The-Neutrals.ORG™ certifications are awarded against published assessment criteria. Ongoing CPD is required for annual renewal. Certification can be suspended for conduct violations or quality failures.

Independent Oversight

The TheNeutrals.ORG™ Global Council provides independent oversight of certification decisions, conduct investigations, and governance compliance. Council members are drawn from the global legal, ADR, and institutional community.

Certification standards

Next-Gen Neutral and Accredited Neutral — what the credentials require.

Both Next-Gen Neutral™, Accredited Neutral™, and Fellow of The-Neutrals.ORG™ certifications are awarded against independently assessed criteria. The standards are published, the assessment is rigorous, and the credential is renewable annually — ensuring the bench reflects current competence, not historical achievement.

Full certification standards →

Professional qualification

Minimum qualification in law, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, or equivalent commercial professional experience in a relevant field.

INDS™ methodology training

Completion of the TheNeutrals.ORG™ INDS™ methodology training programme — the six stages, four sub-frameworks, quality standards, and reporting requirements.

Assessment and examination

Successful completion of the TheNeutrals.ORG™ certification assessment — including a practical evaluation exercise and written examination on INDS™, ethics, and professional conduct.

Code of Ethical Conduct

Formal acceptance of and ongoing commitment to the TheNeutrals.ORG™ Code of Ethical Conduct as a condition of certification and annual renewal.

Annual CPD requirement

Minimum continuing professional development for annual certification renewal — including ethics updates, methodology development, and sector knowledge.

The Global Council

Independent oversight. Not institutional self-governance.

The TheNeutrals.ORG™ Global Council is an independent body providing oversight of certification decisions, conduct complaints, and governance compliance. Council members are distinguished professionals drawn from the global ADR, legal, and institutional community — not employees of TheNeutrals.ORG™.

Contact governance →

Independent membership — Global Council members are not employees or shareholders of TheNeutrals.ORG™
Certification oversight — Council reviews all certification appeals and conduct complaints
Quality audits — Annual quality audit of evaluation standards and INDS™ compliance
NEC accreditation — Council reviews and approves all Neutral Evaluation Center applications
Published decisions — Governance decisions published (anonymised) for professional transparency

Governance enquiries

Questions about standards, certification, or conduct?

For certification standards, ethics queries, conduct concerns, or governance documentation — contact the TheNeutrals.ORG™ governance team directly.

Email governance → Apply for certification

World Neutrals Summit 2026

Barcelona.
August 2026.

The global neutral profession's defining annual gathering.

$985 Neutral Pass $1595 Speaker Pass

Venue

Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower

Gran Via 144, 08907
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

View hotel → Map →

Priority registration

spots remaining

✅ Early registration: 50 completed

Secure your spot → Full programme