Arbitration is an informal trial held before a neutral court official called an arbitrator. Arbitration is the most traditional form of private dispute resolution.Arbitration is a binding procedure. (2) "Arbitrator" means an individual appointed to render an award, alone or with others, in a controversy that is subject to an agreement to arbitrate. Arbitration is a dispute-resolution process in which the parties select a neutral third party to resolve their claims. Any type of dispute, claim or controversy arising out of business dealings with any FINRA brokerage firm1 can be resolved in mediation or arbitration.