While this means that no arbitration hearing will be conducted, it does not affect litigation or any other remedy that you may wish to consider in lieu of arbitration. You complete a form known as a petition. This may be obtained by writing or calling the State Bar of Georgia. This is a free public service of the State Bar. However, in the event appeals, subsequent litigation, or collection actions are required after an arbitration is concluded and an award is received, the parties bear their own expense for such additional litigation.
Many cases settle before an arbitration hearing takes place.
Some do so within a few weeks, while others take much longer. If the arbitration process goes to conclusion without settlement, a case takes, as an average, eleven months to complete. Of course, some cases take less than this while more difficult ones may take longer. If the client does not want the dispute resolved in this manner, no arbitration is held. But if the lawyer elects not to arbitrate, the process may continue without his participation as a party at the hearing.