Wikipedia:DRN Rule Guide

A Guide to DRN Rulesets

This is a guide to sets of rules that can be used at the Dispute Resolution Noticeboard. The choice of rules is up to the moderator, and it is not required to use any of these rules. A moderator may write their own set of rules, or may proceed without a specified set of rules.

1. DRN Rule A is the basic set of rules. I use it when there is no reason to use a different set of rules.
2. DRN Rule B permits back-and-forth discussion between the editors. I recommend its use if there has already been back-and-forth discussion that has been useful. However, useful back-and-forth discussion is the exception rather than the rule. Often back-and-forth discussion is simply restatement of existing disagreement.
3. DRN Rule C is intended for use when the editors have said in advance that they will need to take wikibreaks. This rule allows an editor to advise the moderator that they will be taking a break as needed. Otherwise editors are expected to check on the discussion and participate in the discussion every 48 hours.
4. DRN Rule D is intended for use when the topic is contentious. The moderator should also state what ArbCom case has made the topic contentious, such as WP:ARBEE or WP:ARBIPA or WP:ARBPIA. The topic is often subject to battleground editing because the geographic area has been a real battleground in its history. When the editors accept this rule, they are aware of the ArbCom sanctions,
5. DRN Rule E is intended for use when the article in question is in the process of development about a contentious topic. This rule permits the editors to expand the article while discussing it, and can be used if there has been a recent battle, or for some similar reason, the article is still being developed. It differs from Rule D because Rule D, like Rules A, B, and C, does not allow editors to edit the article.
6. DRN Rule F is used for a dispute over content on a talk page or project page rather than an article.