Arbitration Institutions & Rules
Most arbitrations are administered by an institution that supplies rules, arbitrator rosters, and case management. In the U.S. the big names are the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and JAMS; FINRA runs securities cases; and internationally the ICC, LCIA, and SIAC lead. Parties can also arbitrate 'ad hoc' under rules like UNCITRAL.
The chosen rules shape everything — filing fees, discovery, arbitrator selection, and timelines — so the institution named in your arbitration clause matters as much as the decision to arbitrate.
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Arbitration Institutions & Rules — questions answered
What is the American Arbitration Association (AAA)?
A leading U.S. nonprofit that administers arbitrations and mediations, providing rules (commercial, consumer, employment, construction), arbitrator panels, and case administration.
What is the difference between AAA and JAMS arbitration?
Both are major U.S. providers. AAA is a nonprofit with broad rule sets and consumer/employment protocols; JAMS uses primarily retired judges and its own comprehensive rules. Which applies depends on the contract.
What does JAMS stand for in arbitration?
JAMS originally stood for Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services; today it operates simply as JAMS, a private ADR provider.
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Attorney.plus is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This is general information about arbitration, not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.