PART TWO

STALEMATE - RAM HEADS

For PART ONE – WHY CONFIDENTIAL DEADLOCK ARBITRATIONsm

Making the decision to arbitrate:

  • Deadlock Arbitrationsm can be used to resolve deadlock arising out of the Collaborative or Mediation process.
  • After deadlock, attorneys discuss arbitration with their clients. Pro se litigants discuss arbitration between themselves.
  • If all agree, an Arbitration Agreement is executed.

The basic arbitration agreement provides for:

  • Confidential and private proceedings;
  • Discretion;
  • Issue selection and limitation;
  • Binding awards (there may be a high/low agreement);
  • Any other provision agreed upon;
  • The admission of all evidence which is then given the weight determined appropriate by the arbitrator; and
  • The time and location for the arbitration hearing.

Benefits of arbitration:

  • Provides privacy – for example, hearings are not open to the public.
  • Provides confidentiality – for example, testimony and documentary evidence are not available to the public.
  • Avoids unnecessary costs – for example, affidavits may be used instead of in person expert testimony.
  • Avoids unnecessary delays – for example, there are no unexpected court like delays.

Points to consider:

  • Speed – hearings can be scheduled within days and decisions awarded within weeks.
  • Single issue determination – arbitration can be used to resolve only one issue, e.g., the final “sticking point”.
  • Arbitration awards are generally not subject to appeal.

 

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