We lead with integrity.
We know the process matters.
We provide exceptional service.
We educate and solve problems.
We innovate and improve continuously.
We collaborate and embrace differences.
The not-for-profit AAA is advancing a future where fair, efficient, respectful, and collaborative conflict resolution is accessible to all. With both a US and international presence, our organization is dedicated to making ADR achievable for everyone.
The American Arbitration Association provides cost-effective ADR services that can help parties resolve disputes faster and more affordably than traditional court proceedings. By resolving disputes outside of court, ADR helps reduce the burden on the judicial system and gives you more control over the outcome. Plus, with mediation as an option, ADR often leads to the parties reaching mutually beneficial agreements.
The International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (ICDR®) is the global division of the AAA, administering ADR and promoting conflict resolution to parties around the world. See how dispute resolution service happens worldwide.
We believe in justice at scale. That means providing more people with access to equitable outcomes by offering online dispute resolution (ODR) services and confidential, user-friendly options for those who may not want to appear in the courtroom. See how ODR.com’s services can work for you.
The thought leadership and research arm of the American Arbitration Association- International Centre for Dispute Resolution® (AAA-ICDR®) is dedicated to sharing our expertise to advance ADR by fostering a better understanding of those processes and putting bold ideas into practice.
We publish a variety of materials, including articles, guides, and case studies, to help professionals stay informed about the latest developments in ADR. We also offer webinars and workshops on topics such as best practices in commercial arbitration, ethical considerations in ADR, and effective advocacy in arbitration for arbitrators, advocates, and anyone interested in ADR. Explore our ADR educational programs.
in B2B claims and counter claims alone in 2024
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arbitration vs litigation on average
- The AAA administers cases. It does not determine the merits of a case; arbitrators decide cases. AAA staff members do not write awards. They review drafts of awards only for non-substantive issues such as proper formatting.
- Arbitrators that serve on the AAA roster are required to uphold the Code of Ethics for Arbitrators in Commercial Disputes or the AAA Code of Professional Responsibility for Arbitrators of Labor-Management Disputes.
- Mediators are bound by the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators.
- When an arbitrator or mediator is appointed to a case, they are required to disclose any interests or relationships likely to give rise to justifiable doubt as to the arbitrator’s or mediator’s impartiality or independence.
- Qualifications for being on the AAA roster are publicly available, and the AAA’s rules set out the process for selecting an arbitrator or mediator, other than any statutory requirements that may apply or alternative selection methods agreed upon by parties. When arbitrators are appointed to a case, generally any party can object to that arbitrator’s appointment. In cases where the AAA provides a list of arbitrator candidates to the parties, the parties have the opportunity to strike unacceptable candidates and rank the remaining candidates.
- As part of its mission, the AAA globally promotes the responsible use of conflict management through conferences, publications, the availability of sample ADR clauses and ADR guides, its website (www.adr.org), and education and training of ADR users and neutrals.
- The AAA includes ADR clauses in its own contracts with vendors and seeks to resolve its disputes using a variety of conflict management processes.
- The AAA resolves employee disputes through The Smart Solution program, the AAA’s employment dispute resolution program for non-union employees.
- An arbitration proceeding is a private process. In addition, staff and arbitrators of the AAA have an ethical obligation to keep case information confidential, other than as required by law. The AAA takes no position, however, on whether parties should agree to keep the arbitration proceeding and award confidential. The parties generally have a right to disclose details of the proceeding unless they have a confidentiality agreement. Where public agencies are involved in disputes, these public agencies routinely make the award public.
- While the AAA generally does not disclose information regarding individual arbitrations, the AAA’s rules and procedures are available to the public on its website and in hard copy.
- The AAA is committed to inclusion in its hiring of staff, recruitment of arbitrators and mediators, and its Board of Directors. Directors of the AAA are a global and diverse group comprising business executives, partners of international law firms, union executives, conflict management professionals, and academic leaders. Members of the AAA’s Board of Directors are listed in the President’s Letter and Financial Statements for the previous year following each Annual Meeting.
- The AAA works with a diverse group of international, national, and regional advisory committees made up of ADR users, neutrals, and business and legal leaders.
- Neutrals affiliated with the AAA are held to the highest standards. They are recommended by business, union, and legal leaders and are regularly evaluated by the AAA’s staff and by parties to cases.
- The AAA provides mandatory training for its arbitrators to maintain high levels of competency, quality case management, and process knowledge of the AAA’s rules.
- The AAA’s rules and procedures set forth the process of selecting arbitrators and mediators of the AAA for a specific case.
- The AAA maintains panels of neutrals with specific areas of expertise. Mediator profiles, as well as a selection of arbitrator profiles, are available on the AAA’s website.
- The AAA has independent accountants who audit its financial records, which are available in its President’s Letter and Financial Statements, posted on the AAA’s website.
- Employees of the AAA are held to the AAA’s Standards of Ethics and Business Conduct requiring ethical conduct in conflict management, including the handling of financial matters.
- The AAA name and ADR rules are included in parties’ contracts without compensation to the AAA or, in most circumstances, notification to the AAA.
- The AAA receives compensation for its administrative services when a case is filed with the AAA for full or limited service administration, or in connection with its Consumer Clause Registry.
- The AAA’s assets, both its operating investments and pension funds, are managed externally by independent investment firms through the use of mutual funds. Staff members of the AAA do not select the particular stocks or bonds that comprise the AAA’s portfolios.
- Monitoring of the performance of the AAA’s portfolios, and compliance with and changes to the AAA’s investment policy, are carried out by the AAA Board’s Investment Committee, which includes directors of the AAA.
- Other than information that is required by law to be available to the general public, information about the AAA’s investment portfolio is unavailable to arbitrators and mediators of the AAA.
- The AAA does not give special treatment to a neutral or director who files a case with the AAA or uses its election services. The AAA Standards of Ethics and Business Conduct, applicable to all employees of the AAA, require impartiality in the AAA’s provision of its administrative services.
- The AAA receives approximately 95% of its cases from being named as the administrator in an ADR clause or in legislation, or from a contract clause or statute naming an AAA rule set, available on the AAA’s website, as the governing rules for an ADR process. In most instances, the AAA has no knowledge that it or its rules have been named in a contract’s ADR clause.
- Each year, the AAA makes public its President’s Letter and Financial Statements, which includes highlights of the year’s work, the AAA services available, an audited financial statement, operational information, and lists of the AAA’s Board of Directors and senior management team.
- The AAA’s website is a central repository of information on ADR services available, rules and procedures, reference materials, articles, and important ADR updates.
- The AAA’s fees for its services are clearly articulated in the fee schedules applicable to the specific rules set, which are available on the AAA’s website and in hard copy. In addition, publication subscriptions are available on the AAA’s website and through offices of the AAA.
- Arbitrators’ and mediators’ compensation, which is generally set by the neutrals themselves, is clearly presented on resumes that the AAA provides to ADR clients.
- Panelists’ resumes also include the following (as appropriate): current employment and title, work experience, ADR experience, professional licenses, professional associations, publications and speaking engagements, education, languages, and compensation and expenses charged.
- The AAA has a fee reduction or waiver process based on evidence of financial hardship for parties who cannot afford to pay the AAA’s administrative fees.
- Under the Administrative Fee Schedule for the Consumer Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, the consumer’s administrative filing fee is capped, and the business is responsible for all arbitrator compensation.
- In consumer cases where no claims or counterclaims exceed $25,000, the case falls under the AAA’s documents-only procedures, which aim to expedite the case.
- Additionally, many of the AAA’s other rules have expedited procedures and documents-only procedures for cases of more limited dollar value. For those cases, arbitrator compensation is generally a flat rate set by the AAA.
- Due Process Protocols guide the AAA’s administration of certain cases.
- For consumer cases, the AAA reviews the arbitration agreement to determine if it substantially and materially complies with the due process standards of the Consumer Due Process Protocol. The AAA reserves the right to refuse to administer arbitrations arising from consumer clauses that do not meet these standards.
- Under the AAA’s Employment/Workplace Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures, parties may agree, in writing, to modify the Rules. However, any changes they agree to must still follow the due process principles of the Employment Due Process Protocol.
- Parties, clients, and neutrals may contact their case manager, supervisor, or vice president to raise complaints or provide feedback on the AAA’s service.
- Additionally, the AAA periodically surveys parties on certain caseloads to gather feedback on the AAA’s case administration and its neutrals. It also surveys attendees of the AAA’s educational programs.
Inclusion
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Given the breadth of the AAA’s work and the global reach of its services, we recognize that an inclusive workforce, Roster of Panelists, and Board are essential to delivering fair and effective outcomes.
President & CEO
EVP, Chief Operating & Revenue Officer
SVP, General Counsel & Assistant Corporate Secretary
SVP, Chief Information & Innovation Officer
SVP, Chief People Officer
SVP, Chief Development & Product Officer
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
SVP, Dispute Resolution Services
SVP, Dispute Resolution Services
SVP, Chief Financial Officer
Chair
Chicago, IL
Vice Chair
New York, NY
Treasurer
New York, NY
Secretary
Detroit, MI
Chicago, IL
Brooklyn, NY
New York, NY
Prior Lake, MN
Eagan, MN
Washington, DC
Port Washington, NY
Westport, CT