Technology is Good

Dispute Resolution Journal, Aug-Oct 2005 by Slate, William K II

From the President of the American Arbitration Association (AAA)

Of course it is, especially when it is being used as a tool to make all of our lives easier and enhance the conduct of business on a daily basis. As someone who unabashedly marvels at the leaps of progress that occur so frequently in the field of computer science, I find it exciting that in a relatively short period of time we at the AAA have taken massive strides to fully integrate technology systems that provide real benefits to parties, neutrals, advocates, as well as our own staff. Here are just a few examples.

Since its inception in 2001, more than 2,500 cases have been filed and administered online through AAA Webfile. This system allows parties to initiate a case and answer online and to select a neutral. It also allows advocates and neutrals to manage cases online by monitoring and uploading documents, scheduling online, and e-mailing case-related communications.

AAA panelists can now enjoy the convenience and financial savings of taking important Arbitrator Continuing Education (ACE) courses online.

We have rolled out the Neutrals eCenter, a personalized business management tool accessible by all panelists on the AAA roster. Its innovative online features include the ability to update resumes and personal profiles; view past and present AAA cases; maintain a calendar of hearing dates and award due dates; track compensation and expenses; and register for and complete the ACE courses as noted above.

All of the features discussed above were designed to facilitate information sharing, a key component of any ADR process. More generally, these technological initiatives and enhancements improve the overall ADR experience at every level, provide convenience and savings, and contribute immeasurably to the superior service delivery that drives our efforts at the AAA.

William K. Slate II