17 Arbitrator Interview Questions and Answers

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help them resolve conflicts outside of the court system. As an arbitrator, you will hear both sides of a dispute and then render a decision, which is binding in most cases.

If you want to become an arbitrator, you will need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will also need to be able to think critically and make sound decisions. During your job interview, you will be asked a variety of questions to assess your skills and qualifications.

To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of common arbitrator interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable with the idea of resolving disputes between people who may be hostile or angry?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to remain calm and focused in a high-pressure situation. Your answer should demonstrate that you can handle conflict well, even when it’s intense or emotional.

Example: “I have experience with working under pressure, so I know how to stay calm and focused during an arbitration hearing. In my last position as an arbitrator, I mediated between two parents who were fighting over custody of their child. The father was very upset about the mother getting full custody because he felt she wasn’t capable of raising the child on her own. He became angry and raised his voice several times, but I remained calm and explained why I made each decision.”

What are some of the most important qualities for an arbitrator to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in an arbitrator. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of your most important qualities and how they’ve helped you succeed as an arbitrator.

Example: “I believe that empathy is one of the most important qualities for an arbitrator to have because it allows them to understand both sides of a dispute. I also think patience is essential because arbitration often involves long discussions about complex issues. Finally, I feel integrity is vital because arbitrators must remain impartial throughout their entire process.”

How would you handle a situation where one of the parties involved in the dispute is lying about certain aspects of the case?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to remain calm and focused during a hearing. Your answer should demonstrate that you can maintain control of the situation while also remaining professional.

Example: “I would first try to determine why they are lying about certain aspects of the case. If I feel like it’s because they’re nervous or unsure, I will reassure them that there is no reason to be afraid. However, if I feel like they are intentionally trying to deceive me, I will end the hearing until we can reschedule. This gives me time to think about how best to handle the situation.”

What is your process for gathering all of the relevant information about the dispute before making a decision?

The interviewer wants to know how you approach a case and gather information. Your answer should include the steps you take, including any tools or resources you use to help you make an informed decision.

Example: “I first read through all of the documents provided by both parties. I then schedule a phone call with each party separately so that I can ask them questions about their side of the dispute. After this, I meet with both parties together to discuss their answers and compare notes. If there are still discrepancies in the facts, I may request additional documentation from one or both parties. Finally, I review my notes and decide on a ruling.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a decision that was unpopular with at least one of the parties involved.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to make unpopular decisions and how you handle the consequences. In your answer, try to emphasize that you can make difficult decisions while maintaining a positive attitude.

Example: “In my previous role as an arbitrator, I had to decide whether or not to uphold a contract between two parties who were in disagreement over a large sum of money. One party was arguing for more money than what they originally agreed upon because their business had grown significantly since signing the contract. The other party argued that the terms of the contract should be upheld because the company hadn’t met its goals at the time of signing. After reviewing all of the evidence, I decided to uphold the original contract.”

If you were appointed to a case and discovered that you had a personal relationship with at least one of the parties, how would you handle that?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to remain impartial in a situation where you have a personal relationship with one of the parties involved. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can set aside any biases and make an objective decision based on the facts of the case.

Example: “If I discovered that I had a personal relationship with at least one party, I would immediately disclose this information to my employer or organization so they could find another arbitrator to take over the case. If it was too late to replace me, I would recuse myself from the case and allow someone else to decide its outcome.”

What would you do if you felt like one of the parties involved in the dispute was being dishonest or withholding information?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to remain impartial and make decisions based on the facts of a case. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can be fair and objective even when one party is being dishonest or withholding information.

Example: “If I felt like one of the parties was being dishonest or withholding information, I would first attempt to get them to provide me with all relevant information about their case. If they refused to do so, I would have no choice but to rule in favor of the other party. However, if both parties were being dishonest or withholding information, I would likely end up dismissing the case altogether.”

How well do you handle stress while working on complex cases?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work under pressure. As an arbitrator, you may encounter many challenging situations that require you to make quick decisions and solve problems. To answer this question, describe a time when you worked on a complex case and how you handled the situation.

Example: “In my current position as an attorney, I have worked on several cases where both parties had conflicting evidence. In these situations, it’s important for me to remain calm and focused so I can carefully review all of the information provided by each party. By remaining organized and prioritizing tasks, I am able to complete my work efficiently while still providing quality service.”

Do you have any experience working with contracts or other legal documents?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with arbitration and how it relates to the law. If you have any legal experience, share that information with the interviewer.

Example: “I worked as a freelance writer for several years before becoming an arbitrator. I wrote articles on various topics, including technology, business and finance. While working as a freelancer, I often had to work with contracts when accepting assignments from clients. In my role as an arbitrator, I’ve also encountered many contracts during hearings. I understand the importance of upholding contracts in both roles.”

When performing your research, how do you determine which sources are more reliable than others?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your research skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from past experiences where you used your critical thinking skills to evaluate sources of information and determine which ones were more reliable than others.

Example: “I use my critical thinking skills to analyze each source I find during my research process. For example, when looking for a case study on arbitration law, I would first look at government websites that provide legal resources. These are typically the most reliable because they’re official documents and have been approved by an authority. Then, I would search through academic journals and publications to see what other professionals think about the topic. Finally, I would do some online searches to see if there are any forums or blogs discussing the same topic.”

We want to ensure that all of our arbitrators are well-rounded individuals. Tell us about some of your outside interests or hobbies.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and interests. It can also help you determine if they have any unique skills or talents that could be beneficial in this role.

Example: “I love reading, so I am currently working on my library card collection. I’ve been collecting them for years now, and I’m up to over 200 different libraries across the country. I also enjoy traveling, although I haven’t had much time to do it lately. I hope to take some vacations soon.”

Describe your writing process when you have to make a decision in writing.

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you approach writing and the steps you take when completing a task. Your answer should include your process for organizing ideas, researching information and developing your thoughts into written content.

Example: “I start by taking notes on my thoughts about the case or situation I’m working on. Then, I organize those notes into an outline that helps me see the bigger picture of what I want to write. After that, I research any additional information I need to support my arguments or claims. Finally, I begin drafting my decision or ruling.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best person for the job. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match what they’re looking for in an arbitrator. You can also share any unique or interesting facts about yourself that might help them decide whether you’re a good fit for their organization.

Example: “I am the best candidate for this position because of my extensive knowledge of labor laws and my ability to remain impartial when making decisions. I have worked as an arbitrator for five years now, so I know how to handle most situations that arise during arbitration hearings. My background in law has given me the tools necessary to be successful in this role.”

Which arbitration methods are you most comfortable with?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your level of experience with arbitration. If you have a lot of experience, they might want to know which methods you prefer and why. If you’re new to the field, they may be looking for an answer that shows you are willing to learn any method necessary.

Example: “I am most comfortable with mediation because I feel it’s the best way to get all sides on the same page and find a mutually beneficial solution. However, I also understand that sometimes parties need more time to think about their decisions or don’t want to compromise. In those cases, I’m happy to use binding arbitration.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being an effective arbitrator?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. Your answer should include your thoughts on how important impartiality, conflict resolution skills and communication are when working as an arbitrator.

Example: “I believe that being impartial is one of the most important aspects of being an effective arbitrator. I know that my decisions will affect both parties involved in the dispute, so I take great care to ensure that I am making fair and unbiased decisions based on the facts presented during the arbitration process. In addition, I think having strong conflict resolution skills is essential for success in this role because I may need to diffuse tense situations between disputing parties.”

How often do you think an arbitrator should change cases?

This question can help the interviewer understand your approach to conflict resolution and how you manage multiple cases at once. Your answer should show that you prioritize quality over quantity, and it should also demonstrate your ability to multitask effectively.

Example: “I think arbitrators should change cases as little as possible because each case is unique and requires a lot of time and energy to research. However, I do believe there are times when changing cases is necessary. For example, if an arbitrator has a conflict of interest with one party or if they have too many cases to handle effectively. In these situations, I would be willing to switch cases so that another qualified professional could take on my current workload.”

There is a lot of paperwork involved in this job. Are you good at organization?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are organized and can manage paperwork. Showcase your organizational skills by describing how you stay on top of paperwork, files or other documents.

Example: “I am very good at organization. I use a lot of different apps and software programs to keep track of all my notes, case information and important dates. I also have a system for filing important documents in folders so I can find them when needed. This helps me stay on top of everything I need to do.”