Rule 13 Restrictions on Communications

**Talking to the Arbitrator**

If you're involved in an arbitration case, you and your lawyer cannot talk to the arbitrator alone about the actual issues in the case. Any conversation about the merits of the case has to happen with all sides present, or you need to give the other parties fair warning before it happens. This keeps things fair so no one gets to secretly influence the arbitrator.

You also cannot tell the arbitrator about any settlement offers or demands before the final decision is made. If one side offered to settle for a certain amount, or asked for a certain amount to settle, that information has to stay private. The only way this can be shared with the arbitrator early is if every party agrees to it.

These rules exist to keep the process honest. The arbitrator is supposed to make a decision based on the facts and arguments presented openly, not based on private conversations or knowledge of settlement talks that could unfairly sway their judgment.