Worked example

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Irreversible payment with compensation

An irreversible payment flow that binds receipts, clocks, and compensation commitments.

Scenario

Irreversible actions still need remedy paths

When actions cannot be rolled back, compensation and review clocks become non-negotiable.

Receipt

Receipt issued before release

Irreversible actions must emit a receipt before execution.

{
  "schema_version": "1.0.0",
  "receipt_id": "RCP-2026-1362",
  "issued_at": "2026-06-19T16:21:33Z",
  "owner": { "name": "Payments Risk", "role": "System owner" },
  "subject": { "id": "txn-22098", "type": "payment" },
  "action": { "class": "TRANSFER", "description": "Release irreversible payout", "reversible": false },
  "decision": { "decision_type": "payout_release", "reason_codes": ["RISK-LOW"] },
  "clocks": { "ack": { "hours": 1 }, "review": { "hours": 8 }, "remedy": { "hours": 48 } },
  "appeal_path": { "url": "/appeals/payout", "channel": "in-app form" }
}

Clocks

Short review windows for irreversible actions

Clocks ensure review and remedy timelines are explicit.

Ack clock

1 hour

Owner acknowledges the payout and names the reviewer.

Review clock

8 hours

Human review checks for fraud, sanctions, or payout errors.

Remedy clock

48 hours

Compensation, reversal substitute, or dispute resolution begins.

Exceptions

Exceptions require immediate logging

AML or legal holds cannot erase receipts or clocks.

  • Legal holds can pause payout but must keep clocks active.
  • Security escalations require steward sign-off and audit trace.
  • Exception entries live in the Exceptions framework.

Remedy

Compensation is the default fallback

Irreversible actions must guarantee a compensation path.

  • Issue credits or chargebacks within the remedy clock.
  • Provide a human review escalation path within 24 hours.
  • Notify impacted parties with evidence pack references.

Bindings

Bind the payout to enforceable artifacts

Release gates and evidence packs keep the flow auditable.