Expert Witness Blog

In Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Hospitality Industry hospitality expert witness Maurice Robinson writes:

With the increasing popularity of ADR in all areas of business, it was inevitable that the hospitality industry would take note of its advantages. With the escalating costs
associated with litigation, organizations involved in the hospitality sector are increasingly
recognizing that disputes that arise between parties may be reasonably, fairly and
economically resolved through ADR. Hotel management and franchise agreements, for
example, have frequently included arbitration and mediation provisions, but they
generally have referred to standard rules and used third-party providers with little
background in the industry.

Arbitrators and mediators have thus been brought into hospitality dispute resolution with
little understanding of the history and dynamics of the sector. And while neutrality has
generally been assured, there has been frustration associated with the frequent lack of
understanding of the issues involved on the part of the key players in the process – the
arbitrators and mediators.

Mr. Robinson has 30 years experience in the hotel and real estate industry business and is President of Maurice Robinson & Associates LLC.