Arbitration is a mandatory but non-binding informal hearing where a neutral arbitrator, or panel of arbitrators, is selected to hear the evidence in your case. The Law Division Mandatory Arbitration program is an alternative dispute resolution process for civil suits seeking money damages.Testimony is given under oath and witnesses may be cross‐examined. The Federal Rules of Evidence serve as guidelines but are not rigidly enforced. Rule 25.9 - The Arbitration Hearing. Arbitration typically dispenses with the formal rules of evidence, which serves to speed up the process and encourages the admission of all relevant evidence. Rule 25.8 - Required Documents for the Arbitration Hearing a. The Illinois Rules of Evidence will govern proceedings in the courts of Illinois except as otherwise provided in Rule 1101. The Code of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence are applicable to the arbitration hearing. A rule of evidence unique to arbitration is Illinois Supreme.