Ing to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both arbitration and mediation involve a neutral third party who oversees the process and tries to help participants find common ground during a dispute.
Rule 3.31. Unless otherwise authorized by the court, discovery meet and confer obligations require an in-person, telephonic, or video conference between parties.
The most common combination of mediation and arbitration is med-arb, in which the parties attempt to resolve their dispute using mediation and proceed to arbitration only if they are not successful in reaching a settlement. Commentators praise this combination as offering the parties flexibility and efficiency.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Information Packet. The person who files a civil lawsuit (plaintiff) must include the ADR Information Packet with the complaint when serving the defendant. Cross complainants must serve the ADR Information Packet on any new parties named to the action.
Unlike mediation, the arbitration process is binding, which means that the parties are legally obligated to accept and comply with the arbitration decision/award rendered by the arbitrators. Without question, mediation should almost always be the first step in working towards resolving a dispute.
The arbitrator will explain the process. Each side may present an uninterrupted opening statement setting forth its position as to the facts and the law. After opening statements, the parties present their evidence and witnesses. The arbitrator swears in the witnesses and makes rulings on the admissibility of evidence.
There are some cases when both mediation and arbitration are necessary to reach a solution. This is called med-arb.
There are typically seven stages of the arbitration process: Claimant Files a Claim. Respondent Submits Answer. Parties Select Arbitrators. Parties Attend Initial Prehearing Conference. Parties Exchange Discovery. Parties Attend Hearings. Arbitrators Deliberate and Render Award.
More than 80 percent of mediations result in a settlement, and in most cases the process is significantly faster and less costly than arbitration.