REGULATIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE SYSTEM
Introduction
1. The National League System shall comprise a system by which relegation and promotion links shall exist between participating leagues (the "Leagues") and shall be operated in accordance with these regulations.
2. All Leagues and the clubs participating from time to time in such Leagues (the "Clubs") shall be bound by these regulations.
Position of a League in the National League System
3. Any league wishing to participate in the National League System must apply in writing to The Football Association in such form and/or providing such information as shall be published or required by the National League System Committee of The Football Association (the "NLSC") from time to time. The decision as to whether or not a league should be admitted to participate shall be made by the NLSC and shall be final and binding.
4. The position of a League in the National League System (i.e. the decision as to between which Leagues there shall be direct relegation and promotion links) for any given season shall be determined from time to time by the NLSC, such determination shall be final and binding.
5. Any League within the National League System wishing to propose an adjustment to its position within the National League System must apply in writing to the NLSC, with a copy to any Leagues having or proposed to have promotion and relegation links, by 31st December in any year for such proposal to be determined by the NLSC in order, if approved, to have effect in the season commencing in the following calendar year.
League Rules and Regulations for Promotion and Relegation - Eligibility Criteria
6. Each League shall include in its constitutional rules and regulations provisions for the seasonal promotion and relegation of Clubs between it and other Leagues having a direct promotion or relegation link with it (including any and all criteria for eligibility to be admitted to that League). Eligibility criteria shall be agreed between the relevant Leagues through the relevant Joint Liaison Committee. Where there is a failure to agree between Leagues on eligibility criteria, it shall be referred for determination by the NLSC, such determination shall be final and binding. The deadline for any Club to comply with the eligibility criteria of a League shall be no earlier than 1st April prior to the season in question.
7. Any League proposing to change its rules and regulations as to promotion or relegation in any way whatsoever from one season to another must in any event submit details of the proposed changes to any League affected by such changes by 31st December in any year (with a copy to the NLSC) in order for any such changes to be validly made for the following season.
Disputes Relating to the Application of Eligibility Criteria
8. Any dispute or difference between a Club and a League as to the application by the League of its eligibility criteria shall be referred to the NLSC for determination. Such determination shall be final and binding. Any referral must be lodged at The Football Association within 7 days of the posting of the relevant decision of the League and must be accompanied by a fee of £100.
The Movement of Clubs within the National League System other than by Promotion or Relegation 9. Movement of a Club from participation in one League to another League is not permitted other than by promotion or relegation save with the agreement of the two Leagues. Any Club proposing to move from one League to another must make the appropriate applications to resign from, and be elected to, the relevant Leagues, with copies to other relevant Leagues and the NLSC, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the respective Leagues. Any such notice must in any event, and regardless of any provisions to the contrary in a League’s rules and regulations, be given to both Leagues and the NLSC by 1st February in the relevant year in order to be valid.
10. Any dispute or difference arising out of or in relation to a proposal by a Club to be moved, or a decision for a Club to be moved for geographical or other reasons shall be referred for determination by the NLSC, such determination shall be final and binding. Any referral must be lodged at The Football Association within 7 days of the posting of the relevant decision and must be accompanied by a fee of £100.
11. If a Club (whether a Members Club or Company) is liquidated and then wishes to reform, it will be only allowed to make an application to join a League a minimum of two Divisions below the Division in which it was a Member when liquidated, unless otherwise decided by the NLSC.
Election of a Club into a League
12. Any matter, dispute or difference relating to the election of a Club (not being a Club participating in a League) into a League shall be referred for determination to the NLSC, such determination shall be final and binding. Any referral must be lodged at The Football Association within 7 days of the posting of the relevant decision and must be accompanied by a fee of £100.
Joint Liaison Committee
13. A Joint Liaison Committee shall be formed comprising equal numbers of representatives of Leagues having a direct relegation and promotion link. The constitution of each Joint Liaison Committee must be approved by the NLSC. A decision by a League through a Joint Liaison Committee shall be deemed to be made for and on behalf of each Club participating in the League.
14. A Joint Liaison Committee may refer a matter to the NLSC for determination and the decision of the NLSC shall be final and binding. Such decision by a Joint Liaison Committee to refer a matter must be unanimous.
Key Considerations, Aims and Objectives
15. A body determining any matter, dispute or difference under these regulations shall have regard, as its paramount consideration, to the best interests of the game as a whole and shall have regard to the following aims and objectives of the National League System:
(a) to provide Clubs with a level of competitive football appropriate to their playing ability, stadium facilities and economic means; (b) to provide a framework for discussion on matters of policy and common interest to Leagues and Clubs; and (c) to allow the seasonal movement of Clubs.
Procedures for the Determination of any Matter, Dispute or Difference by the NLSC
16. The NLSC may adopt such procedures for the determination of any matter, dispute or difference as it considers appropriate and expedient having regard to the considerations, aims and objectives set out at Regulation 15. The NLSC may require the attendance at a meeting or the written observations of any League or Club as it considers appropriate to assist its determination.
The NLSC may, at its discretion, delegate the resolution of any matter, dispute or difference arising under these Regulations to any body it considers to be appropriate (including a subcommittee or commission which may include members of Council not on the NLSC or a body constituted by a County Football Association).
Arbitration
17. The fact of participation in the National League System shall constitute an agreement between each League and Club to refer any challenge in law arising out of or in relation to these regulations to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of The Football Association.
