The 411 On The AAA’s Non-Binding ADR Solutions Program

Yes, I am on this panel.

The American Arbitration Association (AAA), the world’s leading provider of conflict management and dispute resolution services, has unveiled new services for parties involved in business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and employer-employee disputes. AAA’s Non-Binding Dispute Resolution Services provide an appropriate alternative to pre-dispute binding options.

The non-binding suite of services includes both AAA’s traditional mediation services and a new non-binding arbitration service. Non-binding arbitration can be particularly attractive to parties who want to put their case together to see its merit and foster settlement. Even if a full settlement is not reached, non-binding arbitration can help parties reduce their issues in dispute and prepare them better to resolve remaining issues. In addition, AAA staff facilitators stand ready to aid parties in selecting the settlement options most appropriate for their needs and the circumstances at hand.

“Today, more than ever, it is critical for parties to resolve disagreements in a cost-effective and timely manner, all the while protecting valuable relationships. With AAA’s Non-Binding Dispute Resolution Services, those who avail themselves of our services can rest assured that they have the resources and flexibility they need to handle potential disputes,” said William K. Slate II, President and Chief Executive Officer of the AAA.

As part of the non-binding suite of services, new sets of Non-Binding Arbitration Rules have been created for business and consumer disputes as well as for employment disputes. A new resource, titled a Guide to Drafting Non-Binding Arbitration and Mediation Contract Clauses, has also been created to assist in writing these new clauses into contracts. 

The AAA’s Non-Binding Dispute Resolution Services offer smart, effective solutions that provide:

• Viable contractual alternatives to binding options like litigation
• The chance to preserve relationships with partners and customers
•  Streamlined process and low costs

Non-Binding Suite of Services in Detail

Mediation enables parties to arrive at a settlement solution of their own making with the assistance of a neutral facilitator. This process can be valuable when the parties are willing to be flexible in their positions, when time and other resources are precious and when parties seek to have greater control over the outcomes.

Non-binding arbitration provides the parties with a hearing on documents or an informal hearing on the dispute’s merits but without the finality of a binding decision. Non-binding arbitration can be especially valuable for less complex business-to-business, business-to-consumer or employer-employee disputes where the parties may be too far apart in their viewpoints to mediate or in need of an evaluation of their respective positions.

The AAA has a panel of arbitrators ready to serve on non-binding business, consumer, and employment arbitrations. The panelists are distinguished by their level and breadth of experience in arbitration, the law and their industry knowledge, which ranges from technology, insurance, and consumer products to financial services, healthcare, ERISA, pension and benefits matters, and more. The panel of arbitrators also includes former federal and state judges and attorneys experienced in personal injury, and handling general civil disputes.

To view information on the AAA Non-Binding Dispute Resolution Services fees, please view the following links:

For Business and Consumers http://www.adr.org/si.asp?id=5682

For Employers and Employees http://www.adr.org/si.asp?id=5681

To find more information on these innovative non-binding solutions, go to: http://www.adr.org.

About the American Arbitration Association

The global leader in conflict management since 1926, the American Arbitration Association is a not-for-profit, public service organization committed to the resolution of disputes through the use of arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, democratic elections and other voluntary procedures. In 2007, nearly 128,000 cases were filed with the Association in a full range of matters including commercial, construction, labor, employment, insurance, international and claims program disputes. Through 30 offices in the United States, Ireland, Mexico, and Singapore, the AAA provides a forum for the hearing of disputes, rules and procedures and a roster of impartial experts to resolve cases.

                       

Victoria Pynchon

Attorney-mediator Victoria Pynchon is a panelist with ADR Services, Inc. Ms. Pynchon was awarded her LL.M Degree in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute in May of 2006, after 25 years of complex commercial litigation practice, with sub-specialties in intellectual property, securities fraud, antitrust, insurance coverage, consumer class actions and all… MORE >