What is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a process whereby a neutral third person or panel, called an arbitrator or arbitration panel, considers the facts and arguments presented by the parties and renders a decision that may be binding or non-binding. How parties get to arbitration is often governed by statute or contract.

Arbitration can be referred by the Court (a.k.a Court Annexed), which can be either binding or non-binding. Arbitration can be Non-Court Annexed, which is voluntary and can also be binding or non-binding.

Binding arbitration results in a final decision by the arbitrator(s) that can only be appealed to a Court of law for very narrow reasons.

Non-binding arbitration can result in either a final decision, which is appealable; an advisory outcome (advising the Court as to what the outcome should be); or an early neutral evaluation of the case.

Only Court Annexed arbitrators are certified in Florida. Ms. Hawk is certified to arbitrate Court Annexed disputes and qualified to arbitrate non-Court Annexed disputes.

Arbitration in general is governed by Chapter 44, Florida Statutes, Rules 1.700, 1.800 – 1.830, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar (for attorney arbitrators).