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Until the beginning of 2004, Jimbo Wales dealt with all serious disputes other than simple vandalism (straightforward vandals could be blocked by any administrator). He was also the only person with the authority to ban users. His role in dispute handling has now largely been delegated to the Arbitration Committee. Wales wrote in January 2004:

The Arbitration Committee [...] can impose a solution that I'll consider to be binding, with of course the exception that I reserve the right of executive clemency and indeed even to dissolve the whole thing if it turns out to be a disaster. But I regard that as unlikely, and I plan to do it about as often as the Queen of England dissolves Parliament against their wishes, i.e., basically never, but it is one last safety valve for our values.

In April 2007, Wales confirmed that the Committee could overturn any decision he makes in his traditional capacity within Wikipedia.

[edit] Selection process

The original Arbitration Committee was appointed in 2004 by Jimbo Wales, primarily chosen from people who volunteered to help with the mediation and arbitration processes. Since then, arbitrators have been appointed based on the results of annual advisory elections. Jimbo does not consider himself bound by the results of the elections, but has stated that he will not appoint someone having under 50% support, and has generally appointed arbitrators from among the candidates with the highest percentage of positive votes. On occasion, users with past experience have been appointed for continuity. Several vacancies due to mid-term resignations have been filled by direct appointment.

Arbitrators serve three-year terms on a rotating schedule, such that a "tranche" of four to seven positions is up for reappointment each year. In case of early departures, new arbitrators may be appointed for the balance of the unexpired terms.

[edit] Elections

There have been six elections to date:

• July 2004 (only to fill two vacancies)
• December 2004
• January 2006
• December 2006
• December 2007
• December 2008
• December 2009 (results pending)

[edit] Former members

Cas Liber (January 2009 - October 2009) Charles, aka Mackensen (February 2006, February 2007 – December 2007) Charles Matthews (February 2006 – December 2008) Daniel Garry, aka Deskana (January 2008 – December 2008) Daniel Mayer, aka Maveric149 (January 2004 – September 2005) David Gerard (January 2005 – January 2006) Dominic aka Dmcdevit (February 2006 – February 2007) Essjay (February 2007 – March 2007) Fennec (July 2005 – January 2006) Filiocht (February 2006 – December 2008) Flcelloguy (January 2007 – December 2007) Fred Bauder (January 2004 – December 2007) FT2 (January 2008 – January 2009) Gutza (January 2004 – December 2004) Jayjg (July 2005 – December 2006) James Forrester, aka Jdforrester (January 2004 – December 2004, July 2005 – December 2008) James W. Rosenzweig aka Jwrosenzweig (August 2004 – December 2004) Josh Gordon, aka Jpgordon (January 2007 – December 2008) Kat Walsh, aka Mindspillage (October 2005 – December 2006) Kelly Martin (October 2005 – January 2006) Kirill Lokshin (January 2007 – July 2009)

Lee Pilich, aka Camembert (January 2004 – December 2004) Mark, aka Delirium (January 2004 – July 2005) Mark Pellegrini, aka Raul654 (August 2004 – December 2007) Martin Harper, aka MyRedDice (January 2004 – December 2004) Matthew Brown, aka Morven (February 2006 – December 2008) Neutrality (January 2005 – December 2007) David Friedland, aka Nohat (January 2004 – September 2005) Paul August (January 2007 – August 2008) Rebecca, aka Ambi (January 2005 – July 2005) Sam Blacketer (January 2008 – May 2009) Sam Korn (February 2006 – December 2006) Sannse (January 2005 – November 2005) Sean Barrett, aka The Epopt (January 2004 – December 2006) Simon Pulsifer, aka SimonP (February 2006 – December 2007) Steven Dunlop, aka UninvitedCompany (January 2004 – February 2004, January 2007 – September 2008) Steven Melenchuk, aka Grunt (January 2005 – July 2005) The Cunctator (January 2004 – December 2004) Theresa Knott (January 2005 – December 2006) YellowMonkey, aka Blnguyen (January 2007 – December 2008)

Click [show] to display a chart of the Arbitration Committee composition since its inception in 2004.