Arbiter
Arbitrator
An arbitrator is an independent third party appointed by the parties to resolve a dispute through arbitration rather than before the ordinary courts.
An arbitrator is a person or expert whom the parties to a dispute have selected to resolve their conflict outside the ordinary courts. Arbitration offers advantages such as speed, confidentiality and the opportunity to appoint a specialist in the relevant field.
In the Netherlands, the status and powers of an arbitrator are governed by the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure, in particular Articles 1020 to 1076. The arbitrator must be impartial and independent; the arbitrator’s decision, known as the arbitral award, is binding on the parties and may, subject to certain conditions, be confirmed by the court.
In practice, arbitrators are frequently appointed in commercial contracts, construction disputes and international trade agreements, where the parties prefer a specialist decision-maker to an ordinary judge.
“The parties have appointed an experienced arbitrator to resolve their contractual dispute swiftly and confidentially.”
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