What is Arbitration?

Arbitration can look a lot like a court hearing, but the arbitration judge is often a family lawyer and the entire process is kept private. Both parties receive legal advice from their respective lawyers and can have them attend the arbitration to represent them. Each party puts forward their argument to support their position; the arbitrator will then make a decision on all issues in the dispute, according to the law. The arbitrator’s decision is legally binding and can be enforced by the courts if one party fails to abide.

Is arbitration right for you?

You might consider arbitration if you have already tried to negotiate through mediation and were unable to agree on a decision regarding your dispute or if mediation wasn’t an appropriate form of family law for you. If coming from mediation, your mediator will often become your arbitrator and will decide the outcome.