A Lawyer’s View of Arbitration Proceedings and Composition of the Arbitration Panel

Abstract

It is the purpose of this paper to discuss with the assembled Congress the position of a practicing attorney in New York who is substantially involved in maritime arbitrations as counsel and arbitrator regarding the present status of arbitration proceedings and the composition of arbitration panels in the United States. First, a disclaimer is in order in that the views set forth herein are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the other maritime counsel in New York engaged in similar matters nor, the views of my colleagues and associates within the law firm. The comments in this paper are based upon the author’s personal involvement in maritime arbitrations, both from the viewpoint of service as maritime counsel to a major United States industrial corporation and as counsel for both owners and charterers in arbitration disputes as well as serving as a chairman or arbitrator in maritime disputes. Essentially, this paper is the product of the author’s involvement and active engagement in maritime arbitrations.

Paper presented to the VII International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators, Casablanca, 25–27 September, 1985.