In keeping with its mission, the AAA is in the forefront of efforts to create alternative systems that respond to the needs of parties involved in disputes. Many specialized rules and procedures have been developed in cooperation with interested organizations and industries to facilitate these dispute resolution processes. The arbitrators may be attorneys or business persons with expertise in a particular field. The parties control the range of issues to be resolved by arbitration, the scope of the relief to be awarded, and many of the procedural aspects of the process.
Arbitration is less formal than a court trial.
The hearing is private. Few awards are reviewed by the courts because the parties have agreed to be bound by the decision of their arbitrator. In some cases, it is prearranged that the award will only be advisory. The mediator's role is advisory. The mediator may offer suggestions but resolution of the dispute rests with the parties themselves.