For all cases determined to be international by the AAA–ICDR, the International Fee Schedule shall apply. An international case is generally defined as having either the place of arbitration or performance of the agreement outside the United States, or having an arbitration agreement between parties from different countries. To view the International Fee Schedule, visit go.adr.org/internationalfeeschedule.

The AAA offers parties two options for the payment of administrative fees.

For both schedules, administrative fees are based on the amount of the claim or counterclaim and are to be paid by the party bringing the claim or counterclaim at the time the demand or claim is filed with the AAA. Arbitrator compensation is not included in either schedule. Unless the parties’ agreement provides otherwise, arbitrator compensation and administrative fees are subject to allocation by an arbitrator in an award.

Standard Fee Schedule: A two-payment schedule that provides for somewhat higher initial filing fees but lower overall administrative fees for cases that proceed to a hearing.

Flexible Fee Schedule: A three-payment schedule that provides for lower initial filing fee and then spreads subsequent payments out over the course of the arbitration. Total administrative fees will be somewhat higher for cases that proceed to a hearing.

Standard Fee Schedule

• The Initial Filing Fee is payable in full by a filing party when a claim, counterclaim, or additional claim is filed.
  
• The Final Fee will be incurred for all cases that proceed to their first hearing and is payable in advance at the time the first hearing is scheduled.
  
• Fee Modifications: Fees are subject to increase if the claim or counterclaim is increased after the initial filing date. Fees are subject to decrease if the claim or counterclaim decreases prior to the first hearing.
  
• Cases with Three or More Arbitrators are subject to a minimum Initial Filing Fee of $4,400 and a Final Fee of $3,850.
  
• Nonmonetary Claims: The non-monetary filing fee is the minimum filing fee for any case requesting non-monetary relief. Where a party seeks both monetary damages and non-monetary relief, the higher of the two filing fees will apply.

Refunds—Standard Fee Schedule:

Initial Filing Fees: Subject to a $500 minimum non-refundable Initial Filing Fee for all cases, refunds of Initial Filing Fees for settled or withdrawn cases will be calculated from the date the AAA receives the demand for arbitration as follows:

• within 5 calendar days of filing—100%
• between 6 and 30 calendar days of filing—50%
• between 31 and 60 calendar days of filing—25%

However, no refunds will be made once:

• any arbitrator has been appointed (including one arbitrator on a three-arbitrator panel).

Final Fees: If a case is settled or withdrawn prior to the first hearing taking place, all Final Fees paid will be refunded. However, if the AAA is not notified of a cancellation at least 24 hours before a scheduled hearing date, the Final Fee will remain due and will not be refunded.

Flexible Fee Schedule

• The Initial Filing Fee is payable in full by a filing party when a claim, counterclaim, or additional claim is filed.
• The Proceed Fee must be paid within 90 days of the filing of the demand for arbitration or a counterclaim before the AAA will proceed with the further administration of the arbitration, including the arbitrator appointment process.
• If a Proceed Fee is not submitted within 90 days of the filing of the Claimant’s Demand for Arbitration, the AAA will administratively close the file and notify all parties.
• If the Flexible Fee Schedule is being used for the filing of a counterclaim, the counterclaim will not be presented to the arbitrator until the Proceed Fee is paid.
• The Final Fee will be incurred for all cases that proceed to their first hearing and is payable in advance at the time the first hearing is scheduled.
• Fee Modifications: Fees are subject to increase if the claim or counterclaim is increased after the initial filing date. Fees are subject to decrease if the claim or counterclaim decreases prior to the first hearing.
• Cases with Three or More Arbitrators are subject to a minimum Initial Filing Fee of $2,200, a $3,300 Proceed Fee and a Final Fee of $3,850.
• Nonmonetary Claims: The non-monetary filing fee is the minimum filing fee for any case requesting non-monetary relief. Where a party seeks both monetary damages and non-monetary relief, the higher of the two filing fees will apply.

Refunds—Flexible Fee Schedule:

Under the Flexible Fee Schedule, Filing Fees and Proceed Fees are non-refundable once incurred.

Final Fees: If a case is settled or withdrawn prior to the first hearing taking place, all Final Fees paid will be refunded. However, if the AAA is not notified of a cancellation at least 24 hours before a scheduled hearing date, the Final Fee will remain due and will not be refunded.

Additional Fees Applicable to the Standard Fee and Flexible Fee Schedules

Additional Party Fees: Additional Party Fees will be charged as described above, and in addition:

• Additional Party Fees are payable by the party, whether a claimant or respondent, that names the additional parties to the arbitration.
• Such fees shall not exceed 50% of the base fees in the fee schedule, except that the AAA reserves the right to assess additional fees where there are more than 10 separately represented parties.
• An example of the Additional Party Fee is as follows: A single claimant represented by one attorney brings an arbitration against two separate respondents, however, both respondents are represented by the same attorney. No Additional Party Fees are due. However, if the respondents are represented by different attorneys, or if one of the respondents is self-represented and the other is represented by an attorney, an additional 10% of the Initial Filing fee is charged to the claimant. If the case moves to the Proceed Fee stage or the Final Fee stage, an additional 10% of those fees will also be charged to the claimant.

Incomplete or Deficient Filings: Where the applicable arbitration agreement does not reference the AAA, the AAA will attempt to obtain the agreement of all parties to have the arbitration administered by the AAA.

• Where the AAA is unable to obtain the parties’ agreement to have the AAA administer the arbitration, the AAA will not proceed further and will administratively close the case. The AAA will also return the filing fees to the filing party, less the amount specified in the fee schedule above for deficient filings.
• Parties that file Demands for Arbitration that are incomplete or otherwise do not meet the filing requirements contained in the rules shall also be charged the amount specified above for deficient filings if they fail or are unable to respond to the AAA’s request to correct the deficiency.

Arbitrations in Abeyance: Cases held in abeyance by mutual agreement for one year will be assessed an annual abeyance fee of $500, to be split equally among the parties. If a party refuses to pay the assessed fee, the other party or parties may pay the entire fee on behalf of all parties, otherwise the arbitration will be administratively closed. All filing requirements, including the payment of filing fees, must be met before a matter will be placed in abeyance.

Fees for Additional Services: The AAA reserves the right to assess additional administrative fees for services performed by the AAA that go beyond those provided for in the AAA’s rules, but which are required as a result of the parties’ agreement or stipulation.

Hearing Room Rentals: The fees described above do not cover the cost of hearing rooms, which are available on a rental basis. Check with the AAA for availability and rates.

Mediation—Administrative Fee Schedules

A $250 non-refundable deposit, which will be applied toward the mediation fee, is required to initiate the AAA’s administration of the mediation and appointment of the mediator.

The mediator’s fee is stated on his or her resume. The AAA administrative fee, split by the parties, is $75 per hour billed by the mediator with a minimum four hour charge for any mediation held. Expenses referenced in Section M-17 of the Mediation Procedures may also apply.

If a matter submitted for mediation is withdrawn or cancelled or results in a settlement after the request to initiate mediation is filed but prior to the mediation conference, the AAA administrative fee is $250 (to which the deposit will be applied) plus any mediator time and expenses incurred. These costs shall be borne by the initiating party unless the parties agree otherwise.

If you have questions about mediation costs or services, visit www.adr.org or contact your local AAA office.