Reducing Arbitration Costs: Strategies for Savings
Published: Feb 27, 2026 · Updated: Feb 27, 2026 · 8 min read.
Published: Feb 27, 2026
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
8 min read.
Published: Feb 27, 2026 · Updated: Feb 27, 2026 · 8 min read.
Published: Feb 27, 2026
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
8 min read.
Arbitration is faster and more private than going to court. But it can still get pricey. If you want to reduce arbitration cost, you have more options than you might think. Studies show that legal fees make up about 74% of what parties spend in arbitration. That leaves plenty of room to trim. This guide walks you through ten proven ways to keep your arbitration affordable in 2026.
These tips work for all types of disputes, from contract fights to employment claims to consumer issues. For a full look at what arbitration costs in the first place, see our guide on How Much Does Arbitration Cost? Complete Fee Guide.
This is one of the easiest ways to reduce arbitration cost. A single arbitrator costs far less than a three-person panel. How much less? For a $5 million dispute, ICC data shows a sole arbitrator runs about $132,349 in total. A three-member panel? Roughly $307,017. That is about 57% in savings.
Most cases with clear facts and moderate dollar amounts work fine with one arbitrator. Panels make more sense for high-stakes, multi-issue disputes. Under the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. Section 5), if your agreement does not state how many arbitrators to use, the court may appoint one. Setting this term upfront in your contract can lock in big savings before a dispute ever starts.
Want to know more about what arbitrators charge? Read Arbitrator Fees: Understanding Hourly Rates and Structures.
Most arbitration groups offer "fast track" or expedited rules for smaller claims. These rules mean shorter timelines, less discovery, and fewer hearing days. The payoff? Lower legal bills and a faster result.
Fast-track cases often wrap up in 60 to 90 days. For claims under $1 million, some finish in as few as five to six weeks, based on 2024 data. If your claim fits the rules, always ask about this option.
Pairing fast-track rules with a single arbitrator and papers-only review is one of the best paths to affordable arbitration.
Discovery is a huge cost driver. In court, broad discovery is the norm. In arbitration, it does not have to be. Parties can agree in advance to limit document requests, cap the number of depositions, or skip discovery entirely.
Focus on what matters. Before sending a request, ask yourself: "Does this directly affect the result?" If not, leave it out. The Supreme Court made clear in Stolt-Nielsen S.A. v. AnimalFeeds International Corp., 559 U.S. 662 (2010), that arbitration is based on consent. Parties can shape the rules, including how much discovery takes place.
A tight discovery plan can save thousands in legal fees. For more on surprise costs, check out Hidden Costs in Arbitration: What to Watch For.
Not every dispute needs a live hearing. In papers-only (or "desk") arbitration, the arbitrator reads written briefs, looks at the evidence, and makes a ruling. No hearing room. No travel. No court reporter.
This format works best for claims under $100,000 that turn on contract language, invoices, or clear records. If you do not need live witness testimony, this is a strong way to save money on arbitration.
An arbitrator who already knows your industry gets up to speed faster. They ask better questions. They run hearings with fewer delays. All of this means lower fees for both the arbitrator and your lawyer.
Think about it: a construction arbitrator who already knows AIA contract terms will not need hours of background reading. That time saved comes straight off your bill. For help with the selection process, see our guide on Filing an Arbitration Claim: Step-by-Step Process.
The choices above deal with structure: how many arbitrators, what kind of hearing, how much discovery. But how you manage the case day to day matters just as much.
Online platforms cut out travel, venue costs, and much of the admin work that runs up bills. A digital process handles file sharing, scheduling, and hearings through one secure system.
At Arbitration.net, the entire process runs online, from filing to final award. No courthouses. No plane tickets. No wasted time. To see how it works, visit arbitration.net or reach us at (888) 885-5060 for a walkthrough.
Every delay costs money. Postponed hearings mean more prep time, more rescheduling fees, and more months of dragging things out. AAA research confirms that delays in dispute resolution cause real financial harm, from lost deals to drawn-out stress.
At your first meeting with the arbitrator, set firm hearing dates. Stick to them. If you need multiple days, schedule them back to back. Spreading hearings over weeks or months forces your legal team to restart prep each time.
Experts are pricey. A single expert can charge $15,000 to $50,000 for prep, reports, and testimony. The urge is to hire one for every issue. But many arbitrators are skilled enough to weigh evidence without a parade of experts.
Before you hire one, ask: does this issue truly need expert testimony, or can a strong document tell the story? When you do need experts, ask about "hot tubbing." In this setup, both sides' experts testify at the same time and respond to each other. It shortens the hearing and often leads to clearer answers.
Who foots the bill is up for discussion. Many arbitration rules split fees evenly by default. But the contract between the parties can change that. Some deals put all filing fees on the party who starts the case. Others shift costs to the loser.
Knowing the rules before you file can shape your whole budget. For a full breakdown, read Who Pays for Arbitration? Fee Allocation Rules. You should also see if Free or Low-Cost Arbitration Options apply to you.
In 2024, 76% of arbitration cases closed before a final award. One in five of those settled before the parties paid any arbitrator fees at all. Early settlement saves both sides the cost of hearings, post-hearing briefs, and weeks of waiting.
This does not mean taking a bad deal. It means doing the math early. Compare what you think you will win against what the case will cost. Then decide if an early offer makes sense. Arbitration is flexible enough for settlement talks at any stage. For a deeper cost comparison, see Arbitration vs Court Costs: Which is Cheaper?.
Saving on arbitration starts with the right platform. Arbitration.net was built as a fully digital service. That means many of the cost traps listed above, like travel, venue fees, scheduling delays, and paper-heavy admin, are gone from the start. Our platform handles everything from filing to final award through a secure online system.
Whether you face a business contract dispute, a workplace claim, or a consumer issue, we pair you with arbitrators who know your area. Our process is built to save money on arbitration while keeping the result fair and legally sound.
Ready to see what affordable arbitration looks like? Visit arbitration.net or connect with our team at (888) 885-5060 to talk about your case.
The biggest single savings comes from picking one arbitrator instead of three. This alone can cut arbitrator fees by over half. Pair that with fast-track rules and limited discovery for the deepest cuts.
Yes. Online arbitration removes venue fees, travel costs, and much of the admin overhead. It also cuts scheduling delays, which lowers legal bills over time. The savings grow even more when parties are in different states or countries.
You can appear "pro se" (on your own), which removes attorney fees entirely. This carries risk, especially in large or complex cases. But for smaller claims with clear records, self-representation paired with papers-only arbitration can be a smart, low-cost path.
Arbitration is usually cheaper than court. Federal cases take an average of 24.2 months to reach trial. Arbitration takes about 11.6 months, per AAA data. That shorter timeline means fewer legal bills. The gap narrows for complex, multi-day cases, though. For a full breakdown, see Arbitration vs Court Costs: Which is Cheaper?.
Arbitration.net runs a fully digital process designed to keep costs low. Online case management, efficient scheduling, and streamlined steps all work to reduce what you spend. To learn about pricing and how we can help, give us a ring at (888) 885-5060.
This article is for educational purposes and should not be treated as legal advice. For guidance on your dispute, consult a qualified attorney or contact Arbitration.net.
