1.5.4 Appeal

In the event that a Masonic trial has been held, the Verdict arrived at and the Punishment meted out, and the Verdict or the Punishment or both are timely appealed to the Grand Lodge, then the Secretary of the subordinate lodge shall forthwith transmit an attested copy of the record on appeal (as may be defined more fully in the General Regulations) to the Grand Secretary in whose safekeeping it will be placed and such appeal shall be referred to the Chairman of the Commissioners of Trials to whom the Grand Secretary shall make the record on appeal available.

The Chairman of the Commissioners of Trials shall review the record on appeal and make such recommendation to the Grand Lodge, through the Grand Master, as to a disposition of the appeal as he shall deem fair and just to the Grand Lodge in writing in the manner which may be provided for in the General Regulations.
The Grand Lodge may affirm, reverse or modify the Verdict, the Punishment or either of the subordinate lodge or it may remand the matter back to the subordinate lodge for a new trial or for reconsideration of the Punishment as being either too lenient or too severe. If the Grand Lodge is not in session then the Grand Master shall take such action on its behalf.

The Grand Lodge may, on its own motion or on the motion of the Accused, assume original jurisdiction of the case on appeal and may retry it either as new (either all or in any part) if it believes that an injustice has been visited upon the Accused or the fraternity as a result of the conduct of the proceeding before the subordinate lodge. If the Grand Lodge is not in session then the Grand Master shall take such action on its behalf.

In such case, the trial shall be conducted in Grand Lodge in accordance with the General Regulations as much as possible with the appropriate Grand Lodge Officers assuming the roles and functions of the subordinate lodge Officers as set forth in the General Regulations.