Casework Policy

Prioritisation

The Open Spaces Society is a small organisation and we must use our limited resources to best effect in achieving our charitable objectives. We must therefore prioritise the cases in which we become involved. In considering whether and how to give support and assistance, we shall have regard to, inter alia:

• Public benefit (cf private gain)
• Whether a case furthers our aims and objectives
• Whether a case establishes a precedent with wider implications
• Resource implications
• Likelihood of success
• Whether the correspondent is a qualifying member
• Reputational implications
• Whether the case could or should be handled elsewhere

These will enable us to prioritise our casework including:

• a decision on whether we should do it at all
• the urgency with which it is tackled
• the resource/staff time we give/devote to it 

It should be noted that our primary expectation is to give opinions on a case, and not directly to become involved in a case.  A decision on whether the society become involved is a matter for our own discretion.

Casework policy on AI 

The society will not assist in reviewing material prepared by generative artificial intelligence (AI).  AI material may be unreliable, lack verifiable references, and interpret the data incorrectly.  AI also may offer material which supports the views of the person commissioning it, whereas the society must remain neutral in its analysis.  Consequently, the society has found that it is time-consuming and unproductive to review AI-generated material. 

The society has always sought to advise and assist both its members and the public in responding to challenges within the scope of its charitable objects and will continue to do so.  We ask that correspondents set out their concerns in their own words without the use of AI, and where AI has been used (for example in connected research), we ask you to disclose that you have sought assistance from AI and to describe how it has been used. 

Disclaimer

The Open Spaces Society has staff with exhaustive experience in handling matters related to our charitable purposes. While every endeavour has been made to give our considered opinion, the law in these matters is complex and subject to differing interpretations. Such opinion is offered to help members, but does not constitute formal legal advice.

 

September 2020