Maricopa County Superior Court resolving arbitration cases faster with automation

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Superior Court is using technology to resolve arbitration cases more efficiently.

The superior court partnered with the State Bar of Arizona last year to launch the new Automated Arbitrator Feed, according to a press release.

The project uses an automated process to populate the court’s system with updated attorney information from the state bar’s database to help identify eligible attorneys to appoint as arbitrators.

“We are proud that this project is able to increase the number of attorneys appointed as arbitrators,” Superior Court Civil Department Administrator Luke Emerson said in the release. “This will significantly reduce the caseloads of those attorneys who have been appointed in the past.

“This project is improving the justice system in Maricopa County by increasing access to justice for litigants because cases are now being processed more expeditiously. The information from the new feed is also more accurate.”

The number of attorneys that have been appointed as arbitrators rose from 3,000 to 9,000 since the feed’s launch, according to the release.

The project has already been lauded nationally, winning a 2022 National Association of Counties Achievement Award.

“The Civil Department is honored that the Automated Arbitrator Feed project received a NACo Achievement Award,” Emerson said.

Disputes valued under $50,000 lead to compulsory arbitration under Arizona court rules.

The court then appoints an arbitrator to review the case and determine a fair solution. An appeal would send the case back to the assigned judge for a new trial.

Follow @KTAR923