Never say anything to an arbitrator unless you are 100% sure it is correct. If you don't know the answer to a question, simply say, “I don't know the answer but will get it for you promptly.” Arbitrators respect lawyers who can zealously advocate for their clients and work out procedural issues with opposing counsel.
Always get straight to the merits without berating the other side or whining about how badly it has treated you. Another threat to your credibility is the “kitchen sink” arbitration demand or a response that includes numerous claims or defenses that have little chance of succeeding.
Parties will need to provide material evidence during the arbitration process. Some arbitrators may require that some types of evidence (such as invoices, pictures, and party correspondence) be presented in a specific format, such as in a binder and labeled in a certain order.
If you lose the case, it's very hard to challenge a decision the arbitrator has made. You can't appeal if you simply disagree with the decision. If you think the case wasn't handled properly, you should get advice about what to do next. You may be able to make an appeal to court on a point of law.
After the opening statement, the claimants present evidence, that is, the details of their case. For example, they present witnesses and introduce any relevant documents. If the arbitrators did not swear a witness in at the beginning of a hearing, they will administer the oath before that person testifies.
Arguments should flow easily from the relevant facts and applicable law. Avoid exaggerating the strengths of your case as well as disparaging the opposing side. Remember that professionalism and credibility are critical to persuasiveness.
In general, a Request for Arbitration or a Notice of Arbitration must contain the names of each of the parties, the names of the parties' representatives, a description of the dispute giving rise to claims, a statement of the relief sought, a description of the agreement containing the arbitration clause, the choice of ...
An orderly presentation of one's own witnesses, with an outline of the case at hand to make certain that every point is made in the right order, and perhaps a summary of the case presented to the arbitrator in typewritten form to make doubly certain that nothing is forgotten when the time comes to write the decision, ...
Outline a concise factual background and then move on to a discussion of the issues at the heart of the case. Your arguments should flow easily from the relevant facts and applicable law. And, by all means, avoid exaggeration of the strengths of your case as well as disparagement of the opposing side.
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