Revised Construction Industry Arbitration Rules Adopted By American Arbitration Association

The American Arbitration Association ("AAA") issued revised Construction Industry Arbitration Rules which took effect July 1, 2015. There are significant changes in the new rules which are intended to make the arbitration process more efficient and cost-effective. The changes include several completely new rules which provide expanded authority to the arbitrator to control the course of the arbitration. For example, the new rules provide:

• Express authority for the arbitrator to hear and rule on dispositive motions;
• An early preliminary management hearing to establish pre-hearing procedures and timelines.
• Greater control over the discovery process by arbitrators, including criteria for exchange of ESI;