Arbitration is a way to keep the cost of lawsuits down and shorten the time it takes for a case to get resolved. The arbitrator decides when motions and hearings are set. Before the hearing, each side must give the arbitrator a list of the witnesses who will testify at the arbitration hearing and a description of any evidence that will be presented.
An arbitration hearing is more informal than a court proceeding, but the arbitrator is required to have witnesses swear that their testimony is true and allow the parties or their lawyers to ask questions and introduce evidence. The arbitrator may ask questions of the witnesses or require that the parties or their lawyers submit other evidence after the hearing. An arbitrator may also delay or continue a hearing to give each side a chance to get its entire case presented. Because the rules of evidence are less strict in arbitration than in a trial, the parties may be able to save the cost of paying witnesses, such as doctors and other experts, by submitting their written reports instead.
An arbitrator should issue a decision within 14 days after the hearing is finished.
Listed below are common arbitration due dates.
Transfer Date = Date Transferred to Arbitration
Transfer Date +14 = Motion / Exemption Due
Transfer Date +21 = Arbitrator Assigned
Arbitrator Assigned Date +14 = Hearing Notice Due to Court
Arbitrator Assigned Date +49 = Final Date for Hearing
Hearing Date +14 = Award Due civil cases)
Hearing Date +21 = Award Due (domestic relation cases)
Award Date +20 = Appeal Due