Hints for the Chair

Although the Chair casts one vote in all matters, the Chair controls the arbitration proceeding, and his or her approach will determine the hearing's effectiveness.

 

Areas in which the Chair should make special efforts include:

1. becoming familiar with all matters that may be presented,
2. discussing with the staff what motions will be presented,
3. making an effort to determine the length of the proceeding,
4. reading into the record all agreed-upon dates and times for future sessions,
5. ensuring that all witnesses are sworn, and
6. ensuring that the record is complete.

The Chair should be prepared to:

1. tell counsel to dispense with repetitive and irrelevant matters,
2. where appropriate, instruct a witness to answer only the questions asked and not ramble,
3. advise counsel that they should have sufficient copies of all exhibits,
4. encourage parties to agree on the introduction of documents as joint exhibits, and
5. speed up a line of questioning when possible.

Quite often, counsel may attempt to present a lengthy foundation for the obvious or pursue a line of questioning that is not relevant. The Chair may intervene and attempt to focus the proceeding on the issues. Overall, the Chair directs the entire arbitration proceeding; failure to do so effectively may extend proceedings.