Reviewer Charter and Confidentiality Agreement

This document is a draft. It is not legal advice and it is not in force. It becomes required only when the owner adopts it by a recorded decision in nexus-governance. Until then nothing here blocks anyone’s work.

I declare conflicts before I read a submission. I decline if I am an author, coauthor, colleague at the same institution, have a close personal or financial relationship, or compete directly with the work. If I discover a conflict later I tell the editor at once.

The manuscript, data, reports and the editorial discussion are confidential. I do not share, use or cite them. I do not contact the authors. I delete my copies when the review ends unless the editor asks otherwise.

I do not upload manuscripts, data or my report drafts to any AI tool or service that stores, shares or trains on them. I do not use AI to write my review. I may use a local tool that sends nothing off my device for language checks only, and I say so to the editor.

I answer the invitation within 2 days. I deliver the review within the period the editor sets (the policy is 28 days for reviews). If I cannot, I say so early.

I judge the work on evidence, method and clarity, not on the authors. I give specific, respectful and actionable comments. I separate what must change from what I suggest. I do not demand citation of my own work without reason. Authors see every report. I may choose to sign. Notes become public after the decision as the Peer Review Policy states.

I report suspected misconduct to the editor, not to the authors. AI cannot be a reviewer of record. I am a named, accountable person.

My acceptance is recorded in the acceptance ledger. It is an acceptance record by my signed-in account, not a qualified electronic signature. I renew it each year and when the charter changes.

The laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. Counsel to confirm.