Once an arbitrator issues an award, either an agency or a union may appeal the arbitrator's award by filing an "exception" with the Authority within 30 days after the date on which the Arbitrator served the award on the parties.
Failing to Respond to an Arbitration Request Can Have Serious Consequences, Including a Default Judgment and Potential Financial and Reputational Damage. It Is Important for the Claimant to Reassess the Served Notice and Consult With a Legal Expert if the Respondent Fails to Respond.
Mediation does not impose a solution and it is not binding until the parties reach and sign a settlement agreement. If a settlement cannot be reached, the parties are welcome to continue with the arbitration process. Unlike an arbitrator, a mediator has no power to decide a dispute.
Arbitration is a procedure in which a dispute is submitted, by agreement of the parties, to one or more arbitrators who make a binding decision on the dispute. In choosing arbitration, the parties opt for a private dispute resolution procedure instead of going to court.
Some contracts give you the right to opt out of the forced arbitration clause within a certain period of time, often 30 to 60 days, after signing the agreement by notifying the company that you wish to opt out. Check your contract for the deadline and for specific instructions for opting out.
The arbitrator will explain the process. Each side may present an uninterrupted opening statement setting forth its position as to the facts and the law. After opening statements, the parties present their evidence and witnesses. The arbitrator swears in the witnesses and makes rulings on the admissibility of evidence.
If the arbitration is mandatory and binding, the parties waive their rights to use the court system and have a judge or jury decide the case. If the arbitrator's award is unfair or illogical, a consumer may well be stuck with it without a chance for recourse.
If neither party appeals the decision, it will be binding, like an order by a judge. However, a party unhappy with the arbitrator's decision can request a new trial before a judge.
A claimant will typically start arbitration by sending a document known as a “request for arbitration” or a “notice to arbitrate” to its opponent.
In other words, a party's right to refer a dispute to arbitration depends on the existence of an agreement (the “arbitration agreement”) between them and the other parties to the dispute that the dispute may be referred to arbitration.