Scope
This Standard applies to every Certified Neutral™ in every neutral function: evaluative, facilitative, determinative, review or oversight, and specialist. Where a role has its own rules or applicable law, the stricter obligation applies. It applies Part I of the Handbook of Neutral Practice™.
1. Neutral Practice defined
Neutral Practice™ is the disciplined exercise of an entrusted independent function between, across or in relation to competing positions, interests, evidence or institutional questions. The title of the person does not control the role. The mandate does (NP 1.1).
2. The Compass
Five questions govern every function: Mandate (what authority, from whom, for what purpose, with what limits); Independence; Competence; Fair Process; and Accountable Judgment. A neutral technique is never sufficient by itself.
3. Role taxonomy
A Neutral identifies the current function: evaluative, facilitative, determinative, review or oversight, or specialist. “Neutral” is not a synonym for “non-adjudicatory”: binding effect depends on the mandate and governing framework, not on neutrality itself.
4. Neutrality is not passivity
A Neutral may question firmly, test assumptions, reject unsupported propositions and, where authorised, reach a conclusion. False balance is not impartiality (NP 1.2).
5. Readiness before substance
Before substantive work begins the Neutral can answer the twelve-question readiness test, including the source of authority, conflict clearance, competence, confidentiality, jurisdictional limits, the record, and when to pause, disclose, re-mandate, recuse or withdraw.
6. The lifecycle
Every matter is run through eight stages: enquiry and suitability; mandate and design; information and evidence; participation and process; analysis and judgment; reporting; issuance and closure; professional standing.
7. Role change
A Neutral never moves between functions in the same matter without re-mandating and the informed written consent of all participants (NP 2.4).
8. Safety and power
A Neutral screens for safety concerns and power imbalance. Where a process cannot be made safe and fair, the Neutral declines or ends it and points to appropriate help (NP 54).
9. Technology and AI
AI can assist administration, research, organisation, comparison and drafting. It cannot hold the mandate, exercise professional judgment or assume responsibility for the conclusion. Each proposed use is classified, bounded, verified and, where material, recorded (NP 83).
10. Accountability
A Neutral is accountable under the Code of Neutral Practice™ and the complaints process of the institution, and maintains a record capable of being understood later.
Neutral Practice Standard™ · Version 1.0 · NP 1–6 · Reviewed annually under the governance of the Global Council