PROCEDURE FOR ARBITRATION OF FEE DISPUTES

Three documents are needed to begin the Fee Arbitration process. These documents are:

1. Arbitration of Fee Disputes Agreement

2. Arbitration of Fee Disputes Petition

3. The Rhode Island Bar Association Rules Concerning fee Arbitrations

The Rules are enclosed for your information. Please read the rules carefully before returning the Agreement and Petition. Contact our office at 401-421-5740 or email hmcdonald@ribar.com to request copies of the Fee Disputes Agreement and Fee Disputes Petition.

The Arbitration of fee Disputes Agreement and Petition are to be filled out and returned to this office (you are the "Petitioner" and the attorney is the "Respondent"). We will then forward them to the attorney for his/her signature.

If the attorney and client agree to arbitrate (by signing and returning the Agreement), we will forward it and the Petition to a Fee Dispute Panel.

You will be sent the names and addresses of the Panel members after our office receives the completed Agreement and Petition. If the amount in dispute is more than $1,500 a three-member panel of attorneys will arbitrate. If the amount in dispute is $1,500 or less a single arbitrator will make the determination.

Please complete and sign the Agreement and Petition and return them to our office if you wish to begin the fee arbitration process.