An arbitration professional in Puerto Rico is responsible for resolving disputes between parties without the need to go to court. Their work is key in resolving labor, commercial, and civil disputes, offering a faster and less expensive process than traditional litigation, as both parties pay for the service.
Main functions of a referee in Puerto Rico
Civil arbitration: Handles cases involving disputes between individuals, such as property disputes or breaches of private agreements, as well as divorce, child custody, and settlement of marital property disputes.
Labor arbitration: Intervenes in disputes between employees and employers, especially in cases of non-compliance with collective agreements.
Commercial arbitration: Resolves conflicts between companies, such as contractual disputes or disagreements over business terms.
Examples of situations where a referee is needed
1. Family conflicts: Two people getting divorced use an arbitrator to resolve disputes over custody, child support, and property division.
2. Trade disputes: Two companies have a disagreement over the interpretation of a service contract and decide to submit the case to arbitration rather than going to trial.
3. Ownership issues: Neighbors have a dispute over the boundaries of their land and are seeking a solution through an arbitrator.
Arbitration is an effective tool for resolving conflicts privately and efficiently, avoiding lengthy judicial processes. An arbitrator’s decision is ratified by a judge.
