Judges must disclose personal, financial, employment, investment and close professional relationships with nominees.
Recusal
A judge must not score an entry where a material conflict exists. The judge portal supports recusal and removes access to that assignment after recusal.
Professional conduct
Judges must not solicit business from nominees through the judging process. Staff must escalate relevant relationships before handling an entry.
Documented decisions
Assignments, conflict acknowledgements and recusals are retained in the internal record. Sponsorship does not confer the right to appoint judges.