the beginning of the arbitration hearing, the arbitrator will explain the ground rules. The arbitrator may also ask you to give a brief opening summary of your case. Since the hearing only lasts one hour, you should limit your opening remarks to the important points you plan to prove. Each side will then be given a chance to present his or her witnesses, documents and other evidence. Each will also be given an opportunity to question the other side's witnesses.

the start of the hearing, the hearing officer will begin the record and explain the hearing process to you. The insurance company will be allowed to present its case first and submit evidence. You have the right to question company representatives about any testimony given and/or any evidence presented. After the company has finished, you will also have a chance to present your position and submit evidence, and company representatives may in turn question you.

Arbitration is a process in which each party presents its case, usually at a hearing conducted by a neutral or panel of neutrals who hear the facts and arguments presented by each side, and render a non-binding opinion or binding decision in light of relevant laws and procedures. EPA cannot currently engage in binding arbitration.

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Center is located in Suite 25 at Stewart Square at 308 W. State Street in Downtown Rockford.

designed to allow you to meet face to face with your insurer in the presence of an arbitrator, prior to the actual arbitration hearing. This hearing is an opportunity to discuss what concerns the insurer may have with your file and allows the parties to sometime engage in meaningful settlement discussions. If you and your insurer are not able to come to a settlement, a date will be selected to hear the arbitration.

Requests to reschedule the hearing must be made to the Arbitration Coordinator. It is very important that you attend your arbitration hearing on the date it is scheduled. Arbitrators are sometimes scheduled weeks in advance and requests to change the date or time of the hearing often are a hardship and can affect their availability.

If you do not attend the arbitration hearing and do not arrange for it to be rescheduled, the hearing may be held without you. The arbitrator, without benefit of having heard your side, may decide in favor of your opponent. The court may also order sanctions against you, which could include a fine for failing to participate in the arbitration hearing.

You should begin preparing for the arbitration hearing when you receive the first notice from the court telling you that your case is subject to arbitration. You should gather all the information you have to support your case. Contracts, receipts, cancelled checks and photographs are a few examples of the kinds of evidence that you may want to present at the hearing. You may also want to have witnesses testify for you at the hearing.

A ] Your arbitration hearing will result in a decision (arbitration award) issued by the arbitrator(s) within 30 days of the hearing. The arbitration award will be final and binding on both you and your attorney, unless either of you seeks a trial de novo within 30 days.

The place of arbitration (also commonly referred to as the 'seat of arbitration') determines the governing procedural law of the arbitration and the enforceability of the award. The place of hearing, on the other hand, is the physical location where the hearing is held. This may be different from the place or seat of arbitration.