Arbitrator accreditation and grading in Australia

Arbitrator accreditation and grading assures your clients that you are competent in arbitration and affiliated with a reputable organisation committed to promoting excellence in dispute resolution

To become an accredited arbitrator you must complete a training course, complete pupillage or professional development and be assessed by a panel of peers, as detailed in the Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators.

All accredited arbitrators are listed in the Register of Practising Arbitrators and are graded according to their relative ability to arbitrate different types of disputes. The grading scale is:

  • Grade 1: Those considered to have wide experience in arbitration and able to deal with large and/or complex arbitrations.
  • Grade 2: Those considered able to conduct arbitrations of medium size, or which are straight forward, within the arbitrator’s fields of expertise.
  • Grade 3: Those with less experience who are considered able to conduct small arbitrations which may call for knowledge in restricted or specialised fields.

Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators (PDF)

Get accredited

Complete a training course

Before you apply for arbitration grading, you should have completed an approved university course (section 8, Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators).

The Professional Certificate in Arbitration, a university post-graduate programme offered as a joint venture between Resolution Institute and the University of Adelaide Law School, meets these requirements.

Pupillage or professional development

Once you have received a certificate of satisfactory completion of an approved university course in arbitration, you would need to complete either pupillage or professional development as described in section 5.1 (b)  Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators

Apply for initial grading

Submit your application form for initial grading and attach all required documents. We will send you a tax invoice for the application fee of AU$130 (incl GST) which must be paid prior to your application being processed. 

Application for Initial Grading and Accreditation as an Arbitrator

Apply for re-grading

If you are listed in the Register of Practising Arbitrators as a grade two or three arbitrator, you may apply for re-grading. See section 9 of the Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators or details. Applicants applying for re-grading must complete 25 hours of eligible CPD training activities in the year preceding their application.

To begin the process, submit your application form for re-grading and attach all required documents. We will send you a tax invoice for the application fee of AU$68 (incl GST) which must be paid prior to your application being processed.

Application for Re-grading as Arbitrator (DOC)

Maintain your accreditation

To maintain your accreditation as an arbitrator, you must meet the specific requirements of the Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators.

All grade one and grade two arbitration accreditations are reviewed every three years in a process known as 'the triennial review'. This process is detailed in section 10 of the Policy for the Registration of Practising Arbitrators. To maintain your accreditation you must be a member of Resolution Institute, meet CPD requirements and meet masterclass requirements.

Masterclass policy

To maintain your accreditation as an adjudicator, you must complete one masterclass every three year review period. We aim to hold a masterclass in each jurisdiction every two years. Details of upcoming adjudication masterclasses will be emailed to the Register of Adjudicators.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme

All accredited arbitrators must undertake at least 30 hours of eligible training every three years, with a target to complete 10 hours in arbitration or related determinative practices each year. This is to ensure that arbitrators provide the best quality service to the public.

Record Your CPD in Our Online CPD Tracker

Aims of the CPD scheme

The CPD scheme aims to:

  • Engage members in a range of high quality professional development activities, with credit given for the level of participation in these activities.
  • Achieve and maintain high standards of professional competence and ethical behaviour.
  • Demonstrate to courts and the community that Resolution Institute is committed to the accountability of its members, in requiring them to undertake continuing professional development activities which keep their expertise current and which are of benefit both to the members and the community at large.
  • Promote public perception of Resolution Institute and its members as proponents of high standards of professional excellence in the resolution of disputes.

Eligible activities

Eligible activities that Resolution Institute accepts as continuing professional development are as follows:

  • Resolution Institute conferences, masterclasses, seminars, workshops, forums, discussion evenings and other educational activities conducted by the state committees. Each activity will be given a CPD rating depending on the time involved and level of participation required of participants.
  • Conferences, courses and seminars conducted by other professional bodies and approved by Resolution Institute for CPD purposes. Satisfactory completion of undergraduate or postgraduate courses at a recognised tertiary institution, or other provider approved by Resolution Institute in advance.
  • Lecturing or tutoring in undergraduate or postgraduate courses at a recognised tertiary institution (including tutoring in the National Professional Certificate course), or other provider approved by Resolution Institute in advance.
  • Presentation of original written material at Resolution Institute CPD events, or other conferences, seminars and courses approved by Resolution Institute for CPD purposes.
  • Published papers and articles.
  • Professional practice (including writing awards and pupil training) as an arbitrator, mediator or other dispute resolution practitioner, or legal practice in arbitration or dispute resolution.
  • Approved pupillage.
  • Reading time spent on professional journals, articles and other publications in the area of arbitration and/or dispute resolution.

Failure to meet CPD scheme requirements

Unless otherwise excused from compliance on sufficient cause being shown, if a graded arbitrator or accredited adjudicator has failed to complete the required number of hours of eligible activities within the relevant calendar year or triennium, then they shall abide by the requirements of Resolution Institute to make up any shortfall.

Background

Resolution Institute is the membership body incorporating the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators (IAMA) and LEADR. Resolution Institute performs the functions previously offered by those organisations. Resolution Institute has adopted this scheme at integration on 1 January 2015, previously adopted by the Council of IAMA on 15 November 2007 for use by members seeking or renewing grading, regrading or accreditation.

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