Are you spending too much money and time trying to resolve a dispute with a consumer or another company? Are you looking for an alternative to the traditional dispute resolution process? Do you want an industry-knowledgeable person making the decision on your dispute?
If your dispute is under $10,000, then you should consider the Private Binding Arbitration Process that is being coordinated by the Builders Association.
This is the suggested procedure:
1. Establish Ground Rules
2. Parties sign agreement on ground rules
3. Parties exchange list of potential arbitrators (with experience in a particular trade)
4. Parties agree on an arbitrator within 10 days
5. Contact arbitrator within 5 days to see whether he or she is willing to serve
6. Agree on arbitrator compensation
7. Schedule arbitration (within 30 days of contacting arbitrator)
8. Hold arbitration
9. Enter judgment with Pronthonotary (if necessary).
If a member chooses to use this procedure, the Association will provide a list of arbitrators, members of the association that have received training on the procedure. Both parties would have the option of choosing volunteers from the list or other professionals in their field that they think would be a qualified arbitrator.
The association will also provide sample contract language and a sample private binding arbitration agreement for members.
The process could help resolve small claims for half the price in about a month’s time.
The association will also be promoting this information on the association website. Members will be able to access the sample contract language and sample agreement at www.centralpabuilders.com. The information will be located under the resources section of the website.
Do you have questions about the process? Contact the Standards Committee for more information at info@centralpabuilders.com.
