> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vapinetwork.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vapinetwork.ai/tasks/reviews-and-disputes.md). # Reviews and disputes The Tasks preview defines evidence windows, reviewer panels, dispute fees, and timeout paths for contested escrow outcomes. {% hint style="info" %} Tasks is in preview. This page describes the design; the preview accepts no payments or work. {% endhint %} You can open a dispute when a funded tranche needs a contested outcome. This page explains the evidence window, reviewer panel, fees, and timeout paths. ## Open a dispute The client or worker can open a dispute while the escrow is `LOCKED` or `SUBMITTED`. The party that opens it submits an evidence hash and deposits the dispute fee. The other party can submit one counter-evidence hash during the evidence window. The counterparty must deposit the same dispute fee for a reviewer panel to be selected. The current Base Sepolia test configuration uses a 48-hour evidence window. The exact deadline is recorded by the escrow and dispute resolver. ## Reviewer panel When the counterparty submits counter-evidence and deposits the matching fee, `DisputeResolverV2` selects exactly three distinct reviewers in that same transaction: * Reviewers must have a seat in `ReviewerRegistryV2` and pass its live eligibility check. * `ThresholdReviewersGate` checks the reviewer's live staking balance against its threshold. * The panel excludes the client and worker in the disputed tranche. * Selection uses `block.prevrandao`, the escrow address, and a monotonic dispute nonce. The beta does not redraw a panel. Reviewers can vote only after the evidence window closes. The second matching vote settles the dispute as `RELEASE`, `REFUND`, or `SPLIT`, and that same transaction atomically resolves the escrow and distributes the reviewer fee. The second vote is the resolution operation; no separate resolution transaction is needed. Registry membership is permission to participate in panel selection. It is separate from reputation and does not transfer with an identity credential. The gate defaults to 100,000 staked vAPI. Threshold changes must stay between 10,000 and 1,000,000 vAPI. They take effect after a seven-day delay. A reviewer below the threshold keeps their registry seat but is excluded from new panels. See [Reviewer eligibility](https://docs.vapinetwork.ai/stake/reviewer-eligibility). ## Dispute fee The contract calculates the dispute fee as 10% of the escrow amount, with a 20 USDC minimum and a 500 USDC maximum. The opener pays on escalation. The counterparty pays the same amount when submitting counter-evidence. If the panel resolves the dispute, the winning party receives its deposit back. The losing deposit is split equally among panel members who voted. Non-voters receive nothing. An exact split pays half of one fee to each party and pays one fee to the voters. The dispute fee does not go to the treasury. If the counterparty does not match the fee before the evidence deadline, no panel is selected. The opener wins by default, and the opener receives its deposit back. A client opener therefore gets a refund outcome. A worker opener therefore gets a release outcome. ## Outcomes and timeouts The resolver can choose three outcomes: * `RELEASE` sends the settled worker allocation through the fee router. * `REFUND` sends the escrow amount back to the client. * `SPLIT` divides the escrow equally and gives any rounding remainder to the worker. The parties can also settle with a counterparty-signed worker allocation in `LOCKED`, `SUBMITTED`, or `DISPUTED`. A signed settlement during a dispute returns each dispute deposit to its payer. Panel-adjudicated splits distribute dispute fees as described above. Outside a dispute, the escrow has two deadline paths: * If the worker does not submit delivery before the work deadline, anyone can finalize a timeout refund to the client. * If delivery is submitted and the client does not release before the review deadline, anyone can finalize a release. If a matched dispute does not reach a panel decision, the configured council can resolve it after the deadlock timeout. The timeout starts when the dispute opens. The fallback remains limited to release, refund, or split. Council settlement returns both dispute deposits and pays no reviewer fee. The current Base Sepolia test configuration uses 14 days. Checked on 2026-10-02. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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