Introduction

Over the last 8 months, we have been consulting on proposed changes to our Dispute Resolution Service.

An open, public consultation was held between November 2006 and February 2007. We held an outreach event during this time.  We received an unprecedented number of responses, many of which were detailed. We then took time to consider each and every one of the responses. In July 2007 we took a paper which set out the outcomes of the DRS consultation to both the Nominet Policy Advisory Body and the Nominet Board.

The Board were mindful that one of the proposed revisions was the introduction of a default transfer system, which had not formed part of the original consultation paper.  The idea arose as a result of feedback we received during the consultation.

We asked for the PAB's feedback on the paper.  As well as giving comments on the proposed changes, some PAB members and a few members of Nominet have requested more time to consider the default transfer mechanism and more information about how it might work together with more detail on certain aspects of the consultation responses.

Further consultation

In response to these requests, we have decided to specifically invite comments on the proposed default transfer mechanism over the next month. We are running this as a short-form Policy Development Process, but are asking for public comments as well as comments through the PAB during this period in order to give interested stakeholders the opportunity to comment.

The deadline for comments is 3 October 2007. Please read the consultation paper and then respond either by using our online survey or by emailing your answers to drsconsultation@nominet.org.uk.

All responses will be published on our web site however we reserve the right to remove any materials that in our reasonable opinion are defamatory, offensive or unintelligible.

More detailed analysis

As requested we have produced a more detailed analysis of the consultation responses and have given an explanation of our decision not to change the current rules for appeal fees.

Implementation plan, and draft policy and procedure

Given the additional consultation, we will delay publication of the draft policy, procedure and implementation plan until we have taken account of views on the proposed default transfer process. We anticipate publishing our final proposals by the end of the calendar year. You will be given the opportunity to comment on the draft policy and procedure prior to its finalisation.