Initial Arbitration Training Program

The Rules of Court provide that all individuals who wish to serve as arbitrators in the court-annexed civil arbitration program must complete at least three classroom hours of initial training in a course approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

We were delighted to present this training, which provided instruction on applicable statutes, court rules and administrative directives and policies; standards of conduct; and applicable procedures for conducting arbitrations. This seminar was intended for those individuals who meet the qualifications set forth in Rule 4:21A-2(b) for admission to the roster of arbitrators, which includes ten (10) years of experience in any area of substantive law subject to arbitration.

The court-annexed non-binding arbitration program is mandatory for certain case types, including automobile negligence, personal injury, personal injury protection (PIP) claims, actions on a book account, and appropriate contract and commercial claims. However, Rule 4:21A-1(b) permits any action to be submitted to arbitration with consent of the parties.

Arbitrator compensation is as set forth in Rule 4:21A-2(d). Two-arbitrator panels are paid a total per diem fee of $450, to be divided equally. If a single arbitrator is assigned, the arbitrator is paid a per diem fee of $350.

Who Should Attend?

• If you have been on the court-approved list of arbitrators, but did not complete the three hour initial training requirement prior to March 17, 2005, your name was removed from the list. As soon as you complete the three-hour initial training course, your name will be placed back on the court-approved list.
• If you have never been on the court-approved list of arbitrators, you can take this three hour initial training course, but you must also apply and have your application approved by the county in which you wish to sit as an arbitrator. Once your application has been approved, this course will then be credited for your three-hour initial training requirement.

Take this course to comply with the initial 3-hour CLE requirement for arbitrators.

Topics include:

• The New Jersey Civil Arbitration Program
• Types of cases currently being referred to arbitration
• Statutory requirements and court rules
• Arbitrator qualifications
• Authority of the arbitrator
• Qualities of a good arbitrator

Program Agenda:

• 9:00 - Welcome & Opening Remarks - Hon. Douglas H. Hurd, PJCv.; Melissa A. Czartoryski, Esq.
• 9:15 - Review of Arbitration Process: Video Presentation and Guided Discussion - Hon. Douglas Hurd, PJCv; Rebecca Bertino; Donald S. DeDio, Esq.; Frederick D. Miceli, Esq.; Richard H. Steen, Esq.
• 10:45 - Break
• 11:00 - Mock Arbitration: Andrea Doe v. Victor and Marion Smith
  - Arbitrator – Frederick D. Miceli, Esq.
  - Plaintiff Counsel – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
  - Plaintiff – Rebecca Bertino
  - Defense Counsel – Donald S. DeDio Esq.
• 12:00 - Adjourn