The arbitration process

The short answer is that from start to finish arbitration process from the date filed to decision typically takes a few weeks or as little as just a few days – as compared to the litigation process which is often a year or longer to resolve the same dispute.

Sometimes an on-site arbitration can be filed, heard, decided and resolved in about a week. Other times it could take longer, especially if the parties don’t have a pre-agreed to arbitration agreement as part of their contract. Both sides need to agree to arbitrate, and if there is no prior agreement to do so, it could take some time for both parties to agree, then to agree on a date, etc. 

How long it takes depends more on the parties involved than the process itself. Once the parties have agreed on a date and time, a simple dispute could be decided in as little as a few hours. Complex cases with multiple parties, could take several days or longer. 

We try to resolve DMA cases in single day hearings, but it is up to the parties involved. The parties decide how long the hearing takes. By focusing on the relevant facts, the hearing can be quite short.