Don't Sue, Arbitrate! by Perry Safran, Esq. and Carolyn Annis Construction projects begin with contractual agreements and too often, these days, end in courtroom disputes. In the past ten to fifteen years the number of such disputes has multiplied many times over. The arbitration system was designed to handle this increased load, and to more quickly mediate construction disagreements. This method of third-party intervention offers several advantages. It can be less formal, less expensive, and less time-consuming than the court system. For example, in some large cities it can take seven to ten years just to get into court. This extended wait can cause you to lose at the bank even if you win when you finally get to the courtroom. Arbitration, on