One of the pre-requisites of issuing a judgment in any provincial disciplinary council is the existence of an appeal council in that province on the basis of article 55 of the executive by-law and article 17 of the law supporting the rights of the software producers. The appellate council in each province is comprised of 5 members; one is a lawyer with 10 years of experience, one is chosen by the provincial management and planning organization, one form the members of the board of directors, and two are chosen by the central council of the association who are appointed by the order of the central council for a term of three years. All appeals are heard by this council. All the judgments and punishments of up to degree four issued by this council is binding ; the degree five punishments are heard in the grand disciplinary council, if appealed by the losing party.
