Appeals

From Lights of Guidance

Right to and Procedure for Appeal

"When the Local Assembly has given its decision in the matter, you then have the right to appeal, if you wish, to the National Spiritual Assembly for further consideration of your case. But before taking such an action it is your duty as a loyal and steadfast believer to whole-heartedly and unreservedly accept the National Spiritual Assembly's request to enter into joint conference with your Local Assembly. You should have confidence that in obeying the orders of your National Assembly you will not only succeed in solving your own personal problems with the friends, but will in addition set a noble example before them."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 2, 1935: The National Spiritual Assembly, p. 55, in Lights of Guidance, no. 218)

Appeal from Local Assembly's Decision to the National Assembly

"Appeal can be made from the Local Assembly's decision to the National Assembly,

and from the National Assembly's decision to the Guardian.[+F1 (Now to the Universal House of Justice)] But the principle of authority invested in our elected bodies must be upheld. This is not something which can be learned without trial and test."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, June 30, 1949, in Lights of Guidance, no. 219)

Infringement of Bahá'í Rights

"...whenever there is any infringement of Bahá'í rights, or lapse in the proper procedure, the friends should take the matter up with the Assembly concerned, and if not satisfied, then with the National Spiritual Assembly. This is both their privilege and their duty."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, July 10, 1942: The National Spiritual Assembly, p. 55, in Lights of Guidance, no. 220)

Every Bahá'í May Write Directly to the Universal House of Justice, But Appeals Should Be Submitted Through the National Spiritual Assembly

"It would seem that your National Assembly has misunderstood the procedure for submitting appeals. Mr. and Mrs. ... were quite correct in sending the appeal to your Assembly and you should have then forwarded it to the Universal House of Justice together with your comments on the case.

"It is true, as you state in your letter of 26th May 1975, that every Bahá'í may write direct to the Universal House of Justice but this does not apply in the case of appeals which should be submitted through the National Spiritual Assembly. Only if the Assembly fails to forward the appeal within a reasonable time should the appellant take the case directly to the Universal House of Justice. This process is explained in Article XVIII of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, June 17, 1975, in Lights of Guidance, no. 221)

The Appellant's Request for Referral of Appeal to the Universal House of Justice Cannot Be Refused

"The House of Justice understands and appreciates your motive in striving to contain matters at the national level, and agrees that every effort should be made to resolve them without recourse to the World Centre. At the same time, if an appeal is turned down by the National Spiritual Assembly, the appellant's request for referral to the Universal House of Justice cannot be refused, nor should the referral be unduly delayed."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, July 17, 1979, in Lights of Guidance, no. 222)

Committees Should Take Up Their Problems with the National Spiritual Assembly

"Committees should first take up their problems with the National Spiritual Assembly and seek to solve them satisfactorily; if they are dissatisfied they have the right to appeal to the Guardian[+F2 (Now the Universal House of Justice)] himself. The Guardian will then decide whether it is a matter for him to pronounce upon, or if he will refer it back to the National body."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 28, 1943, in Lights of Guidance, no. 223)

"In the event of a committee member disagreeing with the rest of his fellow-members on a particular issue, he has no right to appeal to the Assembly, but must follow the majority."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 26, 1938)