Arbitration of Family Disputes - Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages | Non-Binding Arbitration | Voluntary Binding Arbitration   
Qualifications & Professional Standards for Arbitrators | Additional Resources  

One of arbitration's great advantages is the ability of both parties to choose the arbitrator or decision maker. The arbitrator can be someone knowledgeable about the types of disputes to be arbitrated.

Another great advantage is that the schedule and location can be arranged for everyone's convenience, including evenings and weekends, if necessary. Both parties agree on the date, time and place for the hearing based upon their schedules and needs. There are no court delays and continuances. All parties are given the time needed to present their cases.

Disadvantages of non-binding arbitration include the fact that the evidence code may not strictly apply, although the Florida Evidence Code is applicable if one of the parties requests a trial de novo. Arbitrators keep this in mind notwithstanding the informality of the non-binding arbitration hearing so that their decisions are predictive of what a court might do.