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.