How does Expert Determination work?

What do experts consider when making a decision?

The expert determination process is similar to a court process. The expert can only consider information that the parties provide to them.  Therefore, it is important to include all evidence that you want the expert to consider when making your submission (or response) to a complaint.

The dispute will only proceed to Expert Determination if the fee ($2,000 +GST is paid).

The expert does have the power to ask for additional information from the parties if they feel it is necessary. Both parties will be advised of the request, known as a non-standard submission and you can read about this in our Dispute Resolution Service Policy (section B12.2).

Experts do not have access to your mediation information, as mediation is a separate confidential process.

Prior to submitting your complaint, we recommend that you check out our case summary page. This provides you with some really good examples of what you can expect from the process and what sort of information is useful to provide in your submission. 

Database of all previous Expert Decisions

List of selected Case Summaries of Expert Decisions

How are expert determinations (decisions) communicated?

Parties will receive the expert determination via email at the same time. The decision will also be made public.

If the expert determination orders a transfer of a domain name, the Domain Name Commission will enact that decision at the end of the (10-day) appeal period. There is nothing that needs to be actioned by the Domain Name Commission in order for this transfer to occur.

Can I appeal the expert’s determination?

If you are not satisfied with the expert’s determination, the Domain Name Commission provides an Appeals process.  

More information about the Appeal Process, and how to submit an Appeal can be found here: