This refers to the relationship of the decision-maker in dealing
with issues and the parties in a specific case. It covers impartiality
and independence. For example, despite policy to the contrary,
one of the members of a disciplinary board at a correctional
centre was also the officer who charged the inmate.
Independence also extends beyond the state of mind or attitude
of the decision-maker and involves a status or relationship
of the decision-maker to external forces. For example, a client
complained a former business partner sat on a committee that
denied him a financial benefit. The investigation determined
the former business partner actually removed himself from
the decision-making process involving the client. Although
the investigation found no evidence of bias, it was determined
there was no conflict of interest policy.
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