Maine Arbitration Forms - Me Enforcement Arbitration

This form is an Arbitration Agreement. The form provides that the agreement is an election to resolve claims, disputes, and controversies by arbitration rather than the judicial process.

Arbitration Agreement - Future Dispute

The form provides that the agreement is an election to resolve claims, disputes, and controversies by arbitration rather than the judicial process.

Arbitration FAQ Maine Legal Arbitration

What is an arbitration? 

Arbitration is an alternative means of settling a dispute by impartial persons without proceeding to a court trial. It is sometimes preferred as a means of settling a matter in order to avoid the expense, delay, and acrimony of litigation. There is no formal discovery and there are simplified rules of evidence in arbitration.

Who decides a case in arbitration? 

The arbitrator or arbitrators are selected directly by the parties or are chosen in accordance with the terms of a contract in which the parties have agreed to use a court-ordered arbitrator or an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association. If there is no contract, usually each party chooses an arbitrator and the two arbitrators select a third to comprise the panel. When parties submit to arbitration, they agree to be bound by and comply with the arbitrators' decision. The arbitrators' decision is given after an informal proceeding where each side presents evidence and witnesses. Arbitration hearings usually last only a few hours and the opinions are not public record. Arbitration has long been used in labor, construction, and securities regulation, but is now gaining popularity in other business disputes.

When is arbitration used? 

Some arbitration proceedings are mandatory, such as many labor disputes. Other arbitration proceedings are incorporated into contracts in the event of a dispute. Couples who sign cohabitation agreements or divorce agreements often include a clause agreeing to go to arbitration if any dispute should arise, thereby avoiding the delay, expense, bitterness and formality of litigation. Companies may seek arbitration of disputes for public relation reasons, so as to avoid the negative publicity of a trial.