The AAA Arbitration Process: An Overview

The AAA administers a wide variety of arbitration cases yearly. Many of these cases proceed according to a well-defined set of steps that make up the AAA arbitration process.

Below are brief descriptions of what takes place during each stage of the process. If you have questions regarding any or all stages, including time frames, please contact your local regional office, your case manager or Customer Service.

Filing and Initiation -- The AAA generally commences administration of an arbitration case when one party submits a Demand for Arbitration, a copy of the arbitration provision and the appropriate filing fee to the AAA. From there, the respondent will be notified by the AAA, and a deadline will be set for an answer and/or counterclaim. Cases also may commence with a Submission to Dispute Resolution, the appropriate filing fee to the AAA and the consent of all parties if no arbitration agreement exists or the AAA is not named as the resolution provider in the agreement.

Arbitrator Selection -- Following the respondent's answer, the AAA works with the parties to identify and select arbitrators from its roster of neutrals. The parties' criteria are used to identify neutrals with qualifications that match the needs of the case. Once parties agree on the neutral, the arbitration proceedings may begin.

Preliminary Hearing -- This meeting, conducted by the arbitrator, is the first opportunity for the parties and the arbitrator to discuss directly the substantive issues of the case. At this point, procedural matters such as the exchange of information, witness lists, etc., also will be discussed.

Information Exchange and Preparation -- Parties make ready their presentations, and the arbitrator can address any impasses or challenges related to information sharing. The goal of this stage is to arrive at the point where evidence and arguments may be presented in the hearings.

Hearings -- At this stage, parties have an opportunity to present testimony and evidence to the arbitrator in order to arrive at resolution.

Post-Hearing Submissions -- This stage of the process provides parties with an opportunity to submit additional documentation, if allowed by the arbitrator. If this stage is necessary, it usually occurs shortly after hearings.

The Award -- The arbitrator closes the record regarding the case and issues a decision, inclusive of an award.