Virtual Arbitration Hearings
Virtual Arbitration Hearings
Virtual Arbitration Hearings
When travel is difficult, virtual arbitration hearings may be held to resolve most commercial disputes by arbitration. With today's technology, it is entirely possible to hold virtual hearings in which all participants take part remotely.
William Kirtley, via his boutique arbitration firm, Aceris Law LLC, has access to secure, modern videoconferencing technologies, and he holds and organizes virtual arbitration hearings for parties at no cost, using Zoom, Microsoft Teams or other secure commercial solutions. Technical assistance is also provided at no cost.
The technological platforms currently available are more than up to the task of holding virtual hearings, although protocols are useful to address issues that arise in practice.
Virtual Hearing Protocols
Virtual hearings are not identical to physical hearings. When arbitration hearings are held remotely, there may be a need for more breaks, as participants must spend long periods staring at a screen. The arbitrator must also be technically literate, allowing parties, witnesses, experts and court reporters to join virtual rooms at the correct point in time.
When participants are based in multiple jurisdictions, it is also necessary to take into account the various time zones of participants in order to find a time that is workable for all witnesses, experts and party representatives. Thus, the daily schedule for a virtual hearing may require some flexibility.
Given the possibility of background coaching or guidance to witnesses, guidelines should also be in place to ensure the authenticity of evidence.
Conflict Check
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