This forum exists for argument. The rules below are written to permit as much of it as possible. They restrict how you argue, never what you conclude.
1. Any position may be argued here
No subject is closed and no conclusion is forbidden. If you believe something is true, say so, and be ready to defend it. You will not be moderated for reaching an unpopular view, for disagreeing with the UKJP, or for arguing against the UKJP's own principles. That last one is encouraged.
2. Attack the argument, not the person
Disagree as sharply as you like with what someone said. Contempt aimed at the person rather than the claim — name-calling, sneering, abuse — is not argument, adds nothing, and will be removed. This is the only rule most people will ever need to think about.
3. Nothing illegal
UK law applies here whatever any of us think of it. That means no incitement to violence, no threats, no harassment, no content stirring up hatred on racial or religious grounds, and nothing else that is a criminal offence to publish. This is not a matter of taste and is not negotiable.
4. Do not defame people
Stating as fact something damaging and untrue about a real, identifiable person exposes you — and this forum — to a legal claim. Criticise public figures freely for what they have actually said and done. Do not invent, and do not assert as established fact what you merely suspect.
5. Separate what you think from what you claim
"I believe the policy is wrong" needs no source. "The policy caused X" does, if challenged. Say which you are doing. Posts that dress opinion as established fact will be asked for evidence, and refusing to provide it is an answer in itself.
6. Argue in good faith
One account per person. No brigading, no coordinated pile-ons, no deliberately derailing a thread you have no interest in, no arguing a position you do not hold in order to waste people's time.
7. Respect privacy
Do not post personal information about anyone — including other members — without their consent. Not addresses, not workplaces, not anything that identifies a private individual.
8. No spam, no advertising, no recruitment
Links that support an argument are welcome. Links that exist to sell, farm clicks or recruit are not.
9. Post it in the right place
Use the category that fits. If none does, say so in Site Feedback and we will consider adding one.
How moderation works
Moderators act on conduct, not on conclusions. No post will be removed for being wrong, unfashionable, or uncomfortable. Posts are removed for breaking the rules above — overwhelmingly rule 2, 3 or 4.
When something does break the rules, the response is proportionate and escalates in this order: an edit or a note in the thread; the post hidden; a formal warning; a temporary suspension; and only for repeated or serious breaches, removal.
You can appeal anything. Reply to the moderation message you receive, or use the contact route below. An appeal is read by someone other than the moderator who acted, wherever that is possible.
Reporting something
Use the flag button on any post. It is the fastest route and it reaches all moderators at once.
For anything that cannot go through a flag — a legal complaint, a privacy request, a report about a moderator — write to the address on the contact page.
If you believe a post is defamatory, tell us precisely which words you say are untrue and why. We operate the notice-and-takedown procedure under section 5 of the Defamation Act 2013, and a specific complaint lets us act on it properly. A vague objection does not.
Why the rules are this short
Long rulebooks are written to give moderators discretion after the fact. Short ones tell you in advance exactly what will get you into trouble, which is fairer to everybody. If a rule here is unclear, that is a fault in the rule — raise it in Site Feedback and it will be rewritten.
This is the same text the forum shows at forum.ukjp.org.uk/guidelines, generated from one source so the two cannot differ.