20th Anniversary SAC Attorneys
Elite Lawyers
Lawyers of Distinction
Avvo Rating 10.0
Santa Clara County Bar Association
Association of American Trial Lawyers
Elite Lawyers Business James Cai 2017
Best Litigation Attorneys in San Jose
Expertise - Best Employment Lawyers in Santa Clara 2021
Expertise - Best Employment Lawyers in Santa Clara 2022

Myths About Arbitrating Business Disputes

Litigation is not the only option for resolving business disputes. There are alternatives to litigation, and often, these alternatives are less time-consuming and less expensive than litigation. One of the most common alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods is arbitration. Arbitration involves the disputing parties agreeing to have their case heard by a qualified arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators. It is up to the arbitrator or panel of arbitrators to make the final decision. While the use of arbitration has risen over time, there are some persistent misconceptions about the process. In this article, we debunk some of the most prevalent myths about arbitrating business disputes.

Myth #1: Arbitration Offers No Advantage Over Litigation

There are several benefits of arbitration. First, arbitration is usually faster and less expensive than litigation. Second, disputing parties have the ability to choose the arbitrator(s). The ability to select the arbitrator(s) is particularly crucial where the issue at hand involves matters of an industry-specific or technical nature. Arbitration also offers confidentiality, something that litigation does not offer.

Myth #2: Arbitration is Always Cheaper Than Litigation

The truth is arbitration can be more expensive than litigation. First, well-known and experienced arbitrators may be costly. Second, if you hire an attorney, you will need to pay them. However, it is always advisable to hire an attorney. Additionally, the costs of arbitration may go up if you do a complete and thorough discovery. However, in most cases, arbitration is less expensive than litigation.

Myth #3: Arbitration is Always Faster Than Litigation

Whether arbitration turns out to be faster than litigation largely depends on several factors. Some of the factors that can influence how long it takes for a business dispute to be resolved through arbitration include the behavior of the parties, the rules of the arbitration service, including the procedural rules, and the complexity of the case. However, often, arbitration is faster than litigation.

Myth #4: Arbitrators Do Not Follow the Law

This myth stems from the fact that arbitration is a less formal method of resolving disputes than litigation. But the truth is that arbitrators are required to follow the law, and they do follow the law. However, with the arbitration process, disputing parties can choose which rules and procedures to follow. In such cases, arbitrators will follow the chosen rules and procedures. But even when disputing parties select the rules and procedures, arbitrators must still ensure the principles of equity are upheld.

Myth #5: An Arbitration Award Cannot Be Enforced Easily

After an arbitrator or arbitration panel issues an award, a party can seek to enforce the award through the courts. Often, the court will enforce an arbitration award. Only under a few circumstances, such as if a public policy was violated or fraud was involved, will the court refuse to enforce an arbitration award.

It is crucial to note that enforcement procedures may vary depending on the jurisdiction. A qualified business attorney can guide you on how to enforce an arbitration award in your jurisdiction.

Contact a Qualified San Jose Business Attorney

For more information or legal help, contact our experienced Silicon Valley business attorneys at SAC Attorneys LLP today.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Mr. Cai Is a Diligent Attorney. My sister and I were defendants in a civil litigation case. We hired James Cai and his law firm, SAC Attorneys LLP. Mr. Cai is a diligent attorney and responded to our questions in a timely fashion. He and his staff were very helpful in keeping us informed of the proceedings of the case and in explaining each step. Mr. Cai is also very conscientious of fees and costs, and avoided unnecessary charges. The results of the Summary Adjudication sided with us. The Court Trial resulted in the “Final Statement of Decision” and “Judgment after Court Trial” overwhelmingly siding with us. Cynthia F.
★★★★★
I Am Truly Impressed. After spending a significant amount of time, money and efforts with my previous counsel at a larger law firm without getting meaningful results, I transferred my employment matter to SAC Attorneys LLP. The attorneys there were able to understand the complex situations of my case and put together an aggressive litigation strategy. We were able to file a compelling complaint within a week and forced the opposing party, which was represented by one of the largest law firms in California, to make a substantial settlement offer shortly thereafter. I am truly impressed by the no nonsense and results oriented approach by SAC Attorneys LLP attorneys. A job well done! X. Gao
★★★★★
They Took Time to Understand Our Technology. I am the founder of a bioinformatics start-up in the Silicon Valley and chose SAC Attorneys LLP as our corporate counsels. Their attorneys have great experience with high tech start-ups and were able to offer a highly competitive service plan while not sacrificing a bit of their quality of services. They took time to understand our technology and provided value added services by introducing investors and job candidates to us. We regard our attorneys at SAC Attorneys LLP not only as our legal advisors but also our venture partners. Dr. Pete S.