National News

AAA's Commercial Caseload Up 46 Percent in 2007

June 16, 2008 -- The total number of commercial cases filed with the American Arbitration Association rose 46 percent in 2007, increasing from 14,211 cases in 2006 to 20,711 last year. Mediation and international case filings were also up 6 percent, according to the Association.

Within the commercial caseload category, the sectors showing growth last year include:

•Banking/financial services: Case filings jumped from 328 in 2006 to 413 in 2007, representing a 26 percent growth;

•Real estate: Case filings grew from 698 in 2006 to 729 in 2007, a 4 percent growth;

•Construction: Case filings rose from 4,085 in 2006 to 4,199 in 2007, a 3 percent growth.

Mediation cases filed with the AAA increased from 2,143 in 2006 to 2,281 in 2007. The 6 percent growth coincided with significant enhancements in the AAA's mediation services last year, including the revision of its Mediation Procedures to provide a new pricing structure that lets parties file a mediation case at no cost.

In addition, the AAA expanded access to its mediation services by providing full-service, local mediation case management throughout its network of offices across the country. It also launched an online Mediator Profile Search Service, taking the guesswork out of finding a qualified mediator by providing around-the-clock access to profiles of hundreds of mediators on the AAA's Panel of Mediators.

Cases filed with the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), the AAA's international division, increased from 586 in 2006 to 621 last year. The 6 percent growth was driven by these areas within the international sector: real estate (55 percent increase), partnership/joint venture (47 percent), energy (45 percent) and insurance (36 percent).