Unlike court cases, where decisions can be appealed to higher courts, arbitration awards are typically final and binding. This means that if the arbitrator makes a legal error or misinterprets the evidence, it can be challenging to have the decision overturned.
A claimant will typically start arbitration by sending a document known as a “request for arbitration” or a “notice to arbitrate” to its opponent.
A legislatively mandated or court administered scheme for the resolution of pending court cases (usually valued at under $50,000), utilizing informal rules of evidence and procedure in a non-binding, advisory arbitration process that is ordered by the court at an early stage of a lawsuit.
This law provides that arbitration agreements are generally valid and enforceable. The major exception to this provision is that the arbitration agreement is not enforceable if it violates the general law of contracts – which applies to all contracts under the law of the state that governs the agreement.
However, because arbitration is an adversarial process, it is commonly viewed as being like litigation in the courts. The purpose of this article is to discuss five key areas in which arbitration is quite different from litigation. There are no pleading requirements in arbitration.
Arbitration is performed out of court and the dispute is resolved by an impartial third party known as an arbitrator.
Arbitration is performed out of court and the dispute is resolved by an impartial third party known as an arbitrator.
If the arbitration is mandatory and binding, the parties waive their rights to use the court system and have a judge or jury decide the case. If the arbitrator's award is unfair or illogical, a consumer may well be stuck with it without a chance for recourse.
In arbitration, you don't have to have a lawyer represent you (unless state law requires it), but it's important to know that arbitration is a final and binding process that can affect your rights. So, if you are considering representing yourself, it's a good idea to talk to a lawyer.