Family Law Arbitration
What is family law arbitration? Family Law Arbitration is a binding process that must be agreed on by the parties before commencing the arbitration. The arbitrator is a decision maker trusted by the parties, who is often an experienced family law attorney or retired judge.
Family law arbitration can resolve financial matters or child related matters. The final decision of the arbitrator is called the “award.” This award must be reviewed by the probate and family court, but many family law arbitration awards are upheld. In addition to deciding the case, the arbitrator has the power to appoint experts, interview children, issue subpoenas, hear testimony and examine evidence. The process may be somewhat more informal than a case heard in a courtroom, but it is still a rigorous process where the arbitrator adopts the role of the judge.
Commercial Arbitration
Commercial arbitration is often favored by businesses because it avoids the jurisdictional complexities of interstate and international disputes. It is also efficient, speedy and private. Firms often want to keep their disputes private to avoid reputational damage. The power to choose a neutral arbitrator also brings peace of mind to parties. In addition, an arbitrator can hear some evidence that may be excluded by court rules. The process is more streamlined so expensive discovery may be curtailed. Many businesses choose commercial arbitration because it is a private, efficient, and cost effective process.