Appealing Policy Violation Decisions

Updated April 22, 2025

All claimants and the accused have the right to appeal official decisions.

All appeals must be in writing to the ACM Appeals Committee no more than 30 days from the date of notification. An appeal must contain new material that was not already evaluated by the ACM Ethics and Plagiarism Committee or substantive information that might lead the ACM Appeals Committee to issue a different decision than the one initially made.

If no appeal has been requested, the decision shall stand and the appropriate penalties shall be implemented.

In the event an appeal has been requested, the ACM Appeals Committee's decision shall be final and the Committee will communicate their decision on the appeal in writing to the CEO, Chair of the Ethics and Plagiarism Committee, the Respondent, and, if the appeal results in a change in determination or sanction, they will additionally report the outcome of the decision along with justification for the change to the Complainant, ACM Publications Board, and members of the Ethics and Plagiarism Committee involved in the investigation.