arbitration
Why are there no public arbitration proceedings?
<p>Despite the ubiquity of binding arbitration clauses in consumer contracts, I am unable to find a <em>single</em> example of an actual consumer arbitration proceeding (emails, exhibits, hearing, etc.).
This is in contrast to litigation, where millions of dockets are available via PACER.</p>
<p>This is surprising as the American Arbitration Association consumer rules do not impose any sort of confidentiality restrictions on the consumer.</p>
<p>What explains the lack of public arbitration proceedings?</p>

<h2>Because they are private</h2>
<p>Not private in the sense of confidential, although many are confidential (if agreed by the parties) and the arbitrator is always under a duty of confidence. Rather, private in the sense that they are conducted by private people and organisations who have no obligation to publish or publicise the results.</p>
<p>Since most people pay on the decision, most arbitrations never go near a public court and therefore never get published.</p>
