What is an Expedited Arbitration Clause?
What is an Expedited Arbitration Clause? Home All Small Businesses Must Include a Proper Expedited Arbitration Clause in All Contracts & Agreements By: Jimmy Wagner, Esq. December 9, 2023 Expedited Arbitration Services (EAS) is for small business owners looking to protect their interests and stay in front of all disputes. In today’s business world, attorneys and the Courts are just as damaging as the overreaching government bureaucracy. All small businesses must have a proper expedited arbitration clause in their contracts and agreements to make sure all disputes are resolved outside the grasp of lawyers and Courts. Trust us when we say that this seemingly minor addition can make all the difference when faced with legal challenges. Join EAS as we delve into expedited arbitration, uncover its importance, and explore how it can empower your small business to navigate any dispute swiftly and effectively. If you are a business owner who complies with their contracts and acts with integrity, you don’t need the lies of lawyers and inefficient courthouses to protect your interest; you need Expedited Arbitration Services. Introduction: The importance of resolving small business disputes quickly and expeditiously Small businesses are the backbone of any economy, representing a significant portion of employment and economic growth. According to the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses make up about 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and employ nearly half of the country’s private workforce. These numbers highlight the crucial role that small businesses play in creating jobs and stimulating economic activity. However, with this vital role comes a multitude of challenges and risks. One such challenge that small business owners often face is legal disputes. From contract disputes to employee grievances, small businesses are vulnerable to various legal conflicts that can be costly and time-consuming. A dispute of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or a hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00) can tremendously impact a small business. Still, to the Courts and lawyers, it is considered an impoverished dispute not worthy of their time. With EAS, this no longer needs to be the case. What is an expedited arbitration clause? An expedited arbitration clause is a provision included in contracts and agreements that outlines the process for resolving disputes swiftly and efficiently through arbitration. The clause must state that all disputes are to be determined by Expedited Arbitration Services (EAS). This clause is foundational in ensuring small businesses can use EAS to resolve disputes as it offers a faster, more cost-effective alternative to traditional litigation. In simple terms, expedited arbitration is an accelerated form of dispute resolution where an impartial third-party arbitrator hears both sides of the argument and makes a legally binding decision. Unlike traditional court proceedings, expedited arbitration can be completed in weeks or months rather than years, saving small businesses time and money. The primary purpose of an expedited arbitration clause is to provide parties with an option for resolving conflicts outside of the courtroom. By including this clause in their contracts and agreements, small businesses can avoid lengthy legal battles, which can burden resources such as time and finances. It also allows them to maintain confidentiality as opposed to public court cases. One significant advantage of having an expedited arbitration clause is that this unique online platform chooses a non-conflicted qualified arbitrator within days to resolve disputes. This means the parties can move right to the heart of the disputed issues compared to traditional arbitration or litigation, where judges are assigned randomly, and the arbitration selection process takes months. As a result of this EAS policy, parties immediately start preparing the submission of relevant laws to their dispute. Another critical benefit of expedited arbitration clauses is the streamlined procedure for presenting evidence and making arguments. In conventional court trials, there are strict rules surrounding evidence-gathering that can prolong proceedings significantly; however, in EAS, all disputes will be resolved on submission, and each side will put forth its entire position for review. Benefits of including an expedited arbitration clause in contracts and agreements: An expedited arbitration clause is a provision in a contract that stipulates any disputes between the parties will be resolved through an accelerated arbitration process. This means that the parties involved must participate in a streamlined arbitration hearing instead of going through traditional litigation. There are three significant benefits to including an expedited arbitration clause in contracts and agreements: Saves time: The traditional legal system can be slow-moving and costly, especially for small businesses. With an expedited arbitration clause, disputes can be resolved much quicker as strict timelines are set for each process stage. This saves valuable time and allows the parties involved to focus on their business rather than lengthy legal proceedings. Cost-effective: Traditional litigation can be expensive, with high attorney fees and court costs piling up quickly. On the other hand, arbitration tends to be more cost-effective as there are fewer formalities and no need for multiple attorneys representing each side. Using Technology Efficiently: Under the rules of EAS, all parties consent to use technology to accept all notices, including text messages, email messages, social media messages, and phone calls. No more wasting money and time on expensive process servers to get the case started in court. Time & Cost Efficiency Time and cost efficiency are critical factors that every business, big or small, must consider to thrive in today’s competitive market. As a small business owner, you may often need help managing your resources effectively while trying to grow your company. This is another area where an expedited arbitration clause can benefit your business. An expedited arbitration clause is a provision in contracts and agreements that specify the process for resolving disputes between parties through arbitration instead of traditional litigation. This clause serves as an effective tool to save time and costs associated with lengthy court proceedings. One of the main advantages of incorporating an expedited arbitration clause in your contracts is the speed at which disputes can be resolved. Unlike traditional litigation, where cases can drag on for months or even years, arbitration offers … Read more