Carpet Industry Arbitration Service
The Carpet Institute of Australia administers the Carpet Industry Arbitration Service. The Service aims to provide prompt, fair and low cost resolution to carpet disputes that may involve retailers, manufacturers and consumers.
- If the dispute can be settled without the need to go to Arbitration, all parties are likely to be more satisfied with the outcome. Arbitration will probably involve winners and losers. If you cannot see the dispute being resolved through direct negotiation, then Arbitration is probably the best means to settle the dispute.
- Arbitration requires the consent and support of all parties. It is your decision to use an Arbitrator to settle the dispute. You should feel free to contact the Service to discuss any concerns you may have.
- If you agree to use Arbitration you must be committed to accepting the Arbitrator's decision. An Arbitrators Award is legally binding on all parties. It can only be appealed against to a Court of Appeal, which usually means the Supreme Court in your State. This can be an expensive process. While the Arbitration process may appear relatively informal, it is a judicial process carrying the full weight of the law.
- If you have commenced proceedings in any of the Small Claims Courts, you cannot use Arbitration to settle the dispute. Likewise, if you contract between one another to solve the dispute through Arbitration, you cannot subsequently use the Small Claims Court or similar jurisdictions.
For further information contact the Service on (03) 9804 5559 or 1800 188 822.
Please note that where terms in the Standard form of Agreement to Arbitrate differ from provisions in this note the Agreement takes precedence.