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Difference between revisions of "Family Law Arbitration"

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Once the appropriate documents have been exchanged and any opinions have been completed, the parties will attend the hearing with their arbitrator. These hearings can take place in the arbitrator's office, a boardroom in a hotel or anywhere else that's private, and are usually less formal than court hearings; arbitration processes can be as informal as the parties and the arbitrator want.  
Once the appropriate documents have been exchanged and any opinions have been completed, the parties will attend the hearing with their arbitrator. These hearings can take place in the arbitrator's office, a boardroom in a hotel or anywhere else that's private, and are usually less formal than court hearings; arbitration processes can be as informal as the parties and the arbitrator want.  


At the hearing, each party presents their evidence, which may include witnesses who give testimony or may be limited to documents and affidavits. Each party then makes arguments to show the arbitrator why the arbitrator should resolve their family law dispute in the way they each prefer.
At the hearing, each party makes an opening argument describing the evidence that will be given and presents their evidence, which usually consists of the testimony of witnesses, documents and affidavits. Each party then makes a closing argument to show the arbitrator why the arbitrator should resolve their dispute in the way they each prefer.


After the hearing process is over, the arbitrator will provide a decision, called an ''award'', summarizing the evidence and resolving all of the legal issues, and explaining why the arbitrator resolved the issues in the way they resolved them. Awards can be giving orally, if the parties agree. Most of the time, awards are given in writing.
After the hearing process is over, the arbitrator will provide a written decision, called an ''award'', summarizing the evidence and resolving all of the legal issues, and explaining why the arbitrator resolved the issues in the way they resolved them.  


====Alternative processes====
====Alternative processes====


 
Alternative processes can be as simple or as complicated as the parties want. The basic arbitration process just described looks and feels very much like the process that applies in court. However, it isn't always necessary to have witness who give oral evidence, or to have any evidence at all. It isn't always necessary to have oral arguments. And, if the parties agree, awards can be giving orally, rather than in writing.
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===The ''Arbitration Act''===
===The ''Arbitration Act''===