Arbitration & Mediation Expert Witnesses

Arbitration and mediation expert witnesses may consult on American Arbitration Association rules, binding arbitration, nonbinding arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution. On June 16, 2014, the American Arbitration Association released new rules on construction disputes.

NEW AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION SUPPLEMENTARY RULES ENABLE PREDICTABLE TIME-AND-COST CONSTRUCTION ARBITRATION June 16, 2014 Parties involved in construction disputes now have the option of selecting supplementary rules that will limit the cost and duration of their arbitration proceedings. The new supplementary rules developed by the American Arbitration Association (AAA®) took effect on June 15, 2014.
Working with its National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee (NCDRC), the AAA created new Supplementary Rules for Fixed Time and Cost Construction Arbitration that will allow parties to calculate the maximum time to complete the arbitration, the number of hearing days, and the arbitrator costs. For example, for cases in the $250,000 to $500,000 range, the rules prescribe a maximum of 180 days from filing to award, with no more than three hearing days. Arbitrator compensation for hearing days and study time (limited to 12 hours) is capped at $275 an hour. Administrative fees to the AAA are fixed at $5,000.

“Parties involved in certain construction dispute cases now can be more certain about the time and cost associated with their arbitration,” says Rodney Toben, AAA Vice President, Construction Division. “We believe this solution responds to many concerns that arbitration costs in terms of dollars and time may have grown unpredictable. We see the new supplementary rules as innovative, reasonable, and clearly defined so that all parties benefit,” Mr. Toben said.

The supplementary rules also encourage client participation by requiring that each party representative provide contact information for a “designated employee,” such as in-house counsel or senior level executive, and require that the AAA and/or arbitrator include such designated employees on all communications related to the arbitration.
“We’ve put significant thought into these rules with input from some of the best construction dispute resolution experts from around the country and expect that they will be an attractive option to parties in many cases,” Mr. Toben concluded.