Preliminary Hearings in Arbitration: The Arbitrator's Perspective (U.S.)

Summary

This practice note discusses the preliminary hearing process in a domestic arbitration proceeding, including the hearing agenda and how to prepare for and handle the hearing. The preliminary hearing in an arbitration proceeding (also known as a management conference or an initial conference) establishes a fair and orderly exchange of information between the parties throughout the arbitration and identifies early in the proceeding any issues that might frustrate the arbitration process. This practice note explains the rules governing preliminary hearings, the hearing format, and what counsel can expect from the hearing. This note also provides practical tips on how to prepare for the preliminary hearing to maximize your client's benefits from this stage in the arbitration process and identifies areas where you can better manage the costs of an arbitration.