Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

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Written from an arbitrator's perspective, the following article suggests various ways in which advocates and presenters, appearing before arbitrators at arbitral hearings, can improve their presentational skills and thus increase their chances of winning cases for their clients.

The purpose of this paper is to present an arbitrator’s perspective of what goes on at hearings, to assist those who appear as advocates and presenters for the parties, and to suggest ways in which they can improve their advocacy skills.

The following points represent some matters of advocacy, which while they may appear to be self-evident, can, if they are ignored, have an adverse effect on an advocate’s presentation. I expect that many will regard a lot of my “ways” as not being applicable to them. I would only ask that you hear me with an open mind and remember the words of Chuck Barris, the host of the long-canceled “Gong Show”: “Denial is not just a river in Egypt.”