Cases that are not suitable for Fixed Fee Arbitration will proceed under the rules for Standard Arbitrations. This will usually be because of the anticipated length of the hearing due to the number of issues or the number of witnesses. It may also be because a number of preliminary issues require attention prior to the hearing. Cases involving substantial technical issues may also be more suitable for Standard Arbitration.

Standard Arbitrations also proceed on the basis of an early preliminary meeting. This allows the arbitrator to play a constructive role in the resolution of the dispute. The later stages of the arbitration are more flexible than the Fixed Fee Scheme. At the preliminary meeting the arbitrator will give directions individual to the dispute. Those directions will be intended to enable the dispute to be resolved as efficiently as is consistent with a just decision on the issues.

The parties have the option, in standard arbitrations, to appoint an assessor to sit with the arbitrator or to appoint a tribunal of three arbitrators, the chairman being appointed from the ACI panel. This enables the parties to have expertise, in a particular trade or other area, on the tribunal in suitable cases while retaining the lead of the legally qualified chairman and the direction of the ACI rules. Nevertheless, ACI favours the appointment of a sole arbitrator save where there is a particular reason for a panel of three or a requirement for an assessor.

All arbitrators on the ACI panel are available for appointment in standard arbitrations at an hourly rate in a range of four fee bands as set out on the relevant fee sheet available from ACI..

The Standard Arbitration Scheme is intended to be as a speedy and cost effective as is consistent with a just decision on the issues between the parties. Arbitrators will aim to dispose of Standard Arbitrations with as little formality and as quickly as possible in each case. ACI believes that most arbitrations can be resolved within months, rather than years.

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Patron: Rt Hon The Lord Saville of Newdigate