Arbitrator Responsibilities

Arbitrator responsibilities involves an arbitrator who resolves and settles the dispute or disagreement that exists between the two parties in a legal manner. He is like a neutral third party who makes the proceedings less expensive and avoids the lengthy court procedures. An arbitrator may need to function in commercial disputes, labor disputes, family disputes, consumer disputes, etc. It involves the use of evidence in a less formal way so as to arrive at a decision which is binding on both the parties involved.

Key Responsibilities of an Arbitrator

An arbitrator is usually an attorney or retired judge who has sufficient expertise in the relevant field and is usually appointed by mutual consent by both the parties involved in the dispute. Both the parties present their evidences and other relevant documents to this arbitrator. Here is a list of key responsibilities that need to be handled by an arbitrator:

1. He should act in a fair manner. He should not favor any one party or even be closely or remotely associated with any one party so as to ensure a fair decision
2. He should issue notices and maintain a record of the proceedings
3. He should study in detail the evidences and other relevant documents that have been provided by both the parties so that he is thoroughly prepared for the hearing
4. He also conducts research on the laws that will be applicable and studies similar cases for reference
5. He schedules the hearings so that both the parties are able to address their respective issues in a professional manner
6. He should be able to present the evidence and facts in a balanced way

He also needs to perform some additional duties which are as under:

• He should be able to give a decision which is impartial by keeping himself updated with the applicable legal rules and regulations
• He should try to understand the clients issues and use mediating techniques to resolve the dispute by facilitating effective communication between the two parties involved
• He should prepare settlement agreements which need to be agreed and signed by the disputants
• He should conduct meetings so as to decide the time taken, fees and other details relevant to the proceedings
• Before preparing the clients for formal hearings he should administer oath procedures
• He should ensure that all the procedures are followed adhering to legal requirements

Essential Skills of an Arbitrator

To be a successful arbitrator you need to have some of the following skills:

1. Strong listening and communication skills are a pre-requisite so as to understand the issues faced by both the parties
2. Excellent negotiation and persuasive skills are required so that both the parties agree to arrive at a settlement
3. He should be impartial and able to give a judgment that is fair
4. He should keep himself updated with the latest changes in laws and regulations
5. He should demonstrate excellent time management and organization skills
6. He should pay attention to all the details for future references

Educational Requirements for an Arbitrator

A bachelor's degree or advanced training related to the law will prove to be of great help. A master's degree in conflict or dispute management will surely be an added advantage. A good background in public policy or law would be better to increase the chances of getting the job as an arbitrator.

Salary Details and Work Hours for an Arbitrator

The salary is totally dependent on the kind of experience and the educational background that one has in the relevant field. The work hours for an arbitrator mostly last for thirty five to forty hours per week. He may need to extend his work hours occasionally.

Career Advancement Opportunities for Arbitrator

The employment opportunities are going to increase for the arbitrators. So the advancement opportunities really depend on how you present yourself during the arbitrations. Additional training will help you to progress more speedily.

A detailed information on the arbitrator responsibilities, skills and academic requirements will help you in understanding and getting the job of an arbitrator more easily.