A claimant will typically start arbitration by sending a document known as a “request for arbitration” or a “notice to arbitrate” to its opponent.
To enforce an arbitral award under the CAA, a petition to confirm must be filed no earlier than ten days after, but not later than four years from, the date of service of a signed copy of the award on the petitioner (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code §§ 1288, 1288.4).
A petition to compel arbitration or to stay proceedings pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 1281.2 and 1281.4 must state, in addition to other required allegations, the provisions of the written agreement and the paragraph that provides for arbitration.
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.
The assertion of the right to arbitrate the dispute is an affirmative defense. It must be stated in the answer. To enforce the right to arbitrate, the party must then file a motion to stay the lawsuit in favor of arbitration. If both parties to the agreement ignore the right to arbitrate, the right is waived.
A petition to compel arbitration must allege the existence of a written agreement to arbitrate a controversy and that a party to the agreement refuses to arbitrate such controversy. CCP § 1281.2 (c) (amended eff 1/1/19).
Where no lawsuit has been filed, a party to a contract or agreement containing an arbitration clause can initiate the arbitration process by sending the other party a written Demand for Arbitration. The Demand generally describes the parties, the dispute, and the type of relief sought.
To become a Chartered Arbitrator or Chartered Adjudicator, you must first become a Fellow and then pass a Panel interview. Our competence frameworks define the level of competence required for each membership grade.
More than 80 percent of mediations result in a settlement, and in most cases the process is significantly faster and less costly than arbitration.
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators typically need at least a bachelor's degree and related experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills through a combination of education, training, and work experience.