1. Limited Legal Remedies: Arbitration may not offer the same range of legal remedies as a court case. Some legal claims that are available in courts might not be available in arbitration.
2. Finality: Arbitration decisions are usually binding and have limited opportunities for appeal. Even if a decision contains errors of law or fact, they might be difficult to challenge.
3. Cost: While arbitration can be cost-effective compared to lengthy court litigation, it can still involve substantial costs, including arbitrator fees, administrative fees, and legal representation.
4. Lack of Transparency: Arbitration proceedings are often private, which means there's limited public scrutiny. This can lead to concerns about accountability and transparency, especially in cases involving public interest.
5. Inconsistent Precedent: Unlike court decisions, arbitration awards do not establish legal precedent. This can lead to uncertainty in interpreting similar disputes in the future.
6. Limited Discovery: Discovery processes (the exchange of evidence) might be more restricted in arbitration, potentially affecting the ability to fully present and prove a case.
7. Difficulty in Compelling Third Parties: In arbitration, it might be challenging to involve third parties who are not signatories to the arbitration agreement, which can be a limitation in complex disputes.
8. Lack of Legal Safeguards: The formalities and legal protections available in court litigation might be limited in arbitration, potentially disadvantaging one party.