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What really is Arbitration in simple terms?

What is arbitration?

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Arbitration, is a process of solving disputes which provides an alternative to litigation in court. When individuals or entities are involved in a dispute and prefer to avoid the formal court system for any reason, they have the option to choose arbitration. This alternative method involves the disputing parties presenting their cases to a neutral third party or a panel of arbitrators who are authorized to render a decision.

What are the benefits of arbitration?

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Arbitration can offer benefits such as a more streamlined process, potential cost savings, and the ability for the parties involved to select an arbitrator with expertise in the relevant field. Additionally, the arbitration process and its outcome are generally kept confidential, providing a level of privacy that is not always possible in a court setting.

Arbitration can also be used in a variety of legal and commercial contexts, including labor and employment disputes, international business transactions, construction contracts, and more. Its flexibility and potential for customization make arbitration an appealing option for parties seeking to resolve their disputes efficiently and effectively.

The decision to pursue arbitration should be carefully considered, taking into account the specific circumstances of the dispute and the potential advantages and disadvantages of this alternative dispute resolution method. By providing parties with a more flexible and private forum for resolving their disputes, arbitration has become an increasingly popular option in the realm of conflict resolution.

Who is an Arbitrator?

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An arbitrator is a neutral third party, selected to resolve a dispute between two or more parties. This individual should have a sound understanding of the law and the subject matter of the dispute, and often possesses expertise in the relevant industry. Additionally, arbitrators should have strong communication and negotiation skills, along with the ability to remain impartial and make fair judgments. The qualifications for an arbitrator typically include relevant education, training, and experience in dispute resolution and the specific field of the dispute. in other countries an additional qualification of being an arbitrator is required. For instance in Botswana arbitrators are required to be trained in arbitration before becoming professional arbitrators. The organization that governs arbitrators in Botswana is called the Botswana Institute of Arbitrators.

Conclusion

Arbitration is therefore is a form of dispute resolution among others such as mediation. However, both parties have to agree at the beginning of their contract that should a dispute arise they each agree to solve it using the Arbitration process and they will abide by the decision of the arbitrator. The decision of an Arbitrator is final.

Author

Tshegofatso M Seretse

Tshegofatso M Seretse (nee Gareegope) LLB, LLM, MBA is the Founder and Editor of Legal Dialog, whose mission is to empower lives through legal education. She is also an admitted Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public in the High Court of Botswana who loves the law and believes in legal advocacy. Tshegofatso is also a Published Author, Blogger and legal advocate.

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