Cases Eligible for Arbitration

Limitations on Claim Amounts

All civil actions, except confession of judgement on promissory notes, are subject to mandatory arbitration if each claim is exclusively for money damages in an amount exceeding $10,000, but not exceeding $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.

Possible Reasons for Eligibility to the Mandatory Arbitration Program

Cases are assigned to the arbitration calendar in 3 ways:

  1. At the time of filing a complaint if the complaint is within the dollar amounts listed above
  2. If a jury demand is made in a small claims action
  3. If a case is transferred from another division (Chancery, Law Magistrate, Law) after it has been determined that the amounts in controversy are within the jurisdictional limits of the arbitration program

Qualifications in Local Rule 7-1.02(B)

Qualifications for the arbitrators are outlined in Local Court Rule 7-102(B):

All attorneys licensed in Illinois who reside in, maintain offices in, or practice in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, shall be eligible for appointment as arbitrators by filing the appropriate form with the Arbitration Administrator. Panel members must certify that they have engaged in the active practice of law for a minimum of two years within the five years immediately preceding the filing of the application. Eligible arbitration panel members shall be certified by attending The Arbitration Seminar prior to active service on an arbitration panel.