It is an UNFAIR system and designed to protect corporations and businesses from shoddy work and shoddy services. First, the consumer (homeowner) has forfeited many of his/her legal rights in a Mandatory Arbitration agreement. Second, the vendor (foundation repair company) has the right to select the for-profit arbitration company, which we believe to be a conflict-of-interest. Third, arbitrators are NOT judges, are NOT required to have any legal training, and are NOT required to follow the law. Fourth, mandatory arbitration is often more costly that going to court. Fifth, the arbitrator is NOT required to publicly disclose the reasons for his/her decision. Sixth, there is no appeal. Seventh, the consumer loses his or her case more than 90% of the time. And there are many other reasons we think Mandatory Arbitration is a deeply flawed system. Richard Alderman, Director of the Consumer Law Center at University of Houston Law Center also has an opinion of arbitration - “If arbitration were in any way beneficial to consumers, it could be made an option and consumers would choose it.”