Simple Justice - How Litigants Fare in the Pittsburgh Court Arbitration Program

• NCJ Number: 95422
• Author(s): J W Adler; D R Hensler; C E Nelson; G J Rest
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 174 pages
• Corporate Author: Rand Corporation
• Sale Source: Rand Corporation
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Rand Publications Series

Annotation

The Pittsburgh arbitration program achieves efficiency through centralized administration of the arbitration process and a flexible, pragmatic approach to arbitrator appointment and assignment to cases.

Abstract

The main ingredients of the Pittsburgh approach to arbitration are plaintiff determination of case eligibility, centralized hearing process, minimal requirements for arbitrator appointment, and a shared commitment to delivering 'rough justice' efficiency. The pattern of arbitration awards suggests that arbitrators believe the plaintiffs have at least some factual and legal basis for their claims in the majority of cases. Data on cases filed between 1979 and 1982 indicate that plaintiffs won some compensation in 80 percent of the cases. They won the amount claimed or more 45 percent of the time and less than the amount claimed about 35 percent of the time. Arbitrators returned defense verdicts (zero awards to the plaintiff) about 20 percent of the time. The amount won by the plaintiff relative to the amount claimed varied by type of case, pattern of attorney representation, and number of parties involved. Across the entire sample, the amount won averaged 65 percent of the amount claimed. Both defendants and plaintiffs who appealed improved their position about 25 percent of the time. The majority of litigants seemed quite satisfied with the program, and more than 80 percent found their hearings 'fair.' Court arbitration speedily disposes of civil suits and delivers final outcomes acceptable to most users. Twenty-four tables, three appendixes, and 17 references are included.