Miami-Kendall Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorneys: Protecting Your Business, Your Property, Your Assets & Your Family

Arbitration is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in which a neutral third party, called an arbitrator (or a panel of arbitrators), acts much like a private judge. Under Section 44.1011 of the Florida Statutes, the arbitrator considers the facts and arguments presented by both sides and issues a decision that may be binding or nonbinding.

Most binding arbitrations in Florida are governed by the Revised Florida Arbitration Code (Chapter 682). A binding award is generally final: it cannot be appealed like a court judgment, and a court may set it aside only on narrow grounds, such as fraud, arbitrator misconduct, or an arbitrator exceeding their powers (Section 682.13). In some civil cases, a Florida judge may instead order nonbinding arbitration (Section 44.103), after which a party may still request a trial.

Arbitration is typically less formal, faster, and less costly than a traditional trial, and it takes place privately rather than in open court. It usually arises from a contract with an arbitration clause, a court order, or a statute. For example, Florida's Lemon Law requires consumers to submit eligible disputes to the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board before filing a lawsuit, and either side may appeal the Board's decision to circuit court (Section 681.1095). A will or trust may also require beneficiaries and fiduciaries to arbitrate certain disputes (Section 731.401).

From our Miami-Kendall office, our trial attorneys represent clients in arbitrations throughout South Florida and across the state, including lemon law, probate, business, and property insurance disputes. Whether you want to enforce an arbitration clause or a judge has sent your case to an arbitrator, our Motivated, Mindful, and Dedicated legal team prepares and presents your evidence clearly and effectively in pursuit of a favorable, final resolution.