In August 1992 the Committee on Professional Discipline of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York undertook a study of existing systems for resolving lawyer-client fee disputes in New York. The arbitration program is administered by the Administrative Judge of each judicial district. The proceedings are confidential. The rules require that when a fee dispute has arisen, the attorney notify the client that the client has 30 days in which to elect to resolve the dispute by binding arbitration, to be conducted according to a prescribed procedure. If the client does not so elect, the attorney may commence an action.
Testimony is under oath.
Subpoenas may be issued. Among the recommendations made by the Craco Committee to address public dissatisfaction with the legal profession was the extension of the rule for mandatory arbitration of fee disputes to all attorney-client fee disputes. The Association also urged the Court to consider expanding the rights of appeal from fee arbitration awards beyond the scope of Article 75. Overall, there was a substantial level of satisfaction with the program. These studies are not publicly available.