arbitrator

Legal TermLegal glossary term

Legal Definition

An arbitrator is an individual or panel tasked with resolving a dispute between two or more parties through the process of arbitration, which is a formal, agreed-upon method of settling legal disagreements outside of the court system.

Plain-English Translation

Imagine an arbitrator as a judge who makes decisions when people disagree over something. They are hired to listen to both sides and decide on the right answer for a legal problem instead of just letting the judge decide alone.

Context in Contracts

It matters because arbitration provides an alternative mechanism for resolving disputes, offering efficiency, expertise in specific areas, and a less adversarial setting than traditional litigation.

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ELI10 illustration for arbitrator
01

An arbitrator is appointed to settle a breach of contract dispute.

02

An arbitrator is tasked with deciding liability in an insurance claim.

Document context

How arbitrator shows up in legal documents

What is it?

An arbitrator is a neutral third party appointed or agreed upon by the parties to hear and decide a dispute, typically resolving contractual disagreements or legal claims outside of the formal judicial process.

Why does it matter?

It matters because arbitration provides an alternative mechanism for resolving disputes, offering efficiency, expertise in specific areas, and a less adversarial setting than traditional litigation.

When does it matter?

It usually appears when parties need to settle a dispute quickly or efficiently without going through the full court system, often in contract clauses or specific legal settlements.

Where is it usually seen?

It is usually seen in contracts, settlement agreements, and procedural rules where disputes are referred to an arbitration panel for resolution.

Who is affected?

The arbitrator is the individual responsible for making a binding decision regarding the dispute, acting as the arbiter between the disputing parties.

How does it work?

The process involves presenting evidence, hearing arguments, and rendering a final decision based on the agreed-upon rules of the arbitration agreement.

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Wikipedia

The Arbitrator (Israeli TV series)

The Arbitrator (2007) (Hebrew: הבורר, Ha-Borer) is an Israeli crime drama series. It tells the story of Nadav Feldman, a social worker who discovers that he was adopted and his real father is the head of a crime family.

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Disclaimer: We do not provide legal advice. We translate legal language into plain English and help you prepare for a conversation with a lawyer.