Prepare Arbitration Exhibits That
Impress Arbitrators
AAA, JAMS, or private arbitration—organize your evidence and create professional hearing binders in minutes, not hours.
Try It Free →Preview free—pay only when you're ready to download.
Your Pre-Hearing Exchange is Due Friday...
75 documents need to be labeled and organized
Opposing counsel just added 15 more rebuttal exhibits
The arbitrator expects a complete exhibit list with descriptions
You still need to prepare a hearing binder for the panel
ExhibitPrep helps you meet your deadline with professional results.
Arbitration Is Different...
More flexible exhibit rules—but organization still matters. Arbitrators appreciate clear, professional presentation that makes your case easy to follow.
- Pre-hearing exhibit exchange deadlines are strict
- Well-organized hearing binders make arguments more persuasive
- Professional exhibits reflect the quality of your preparation
Arbitration Exhibit Labeling Convention
Most arbitration forums use a prefix-based labeling system to clearly identify each party's exhibits:
Claimant Exhibits: C-1, C-2, C-3...
The party initiating the arbitration uses "C-" prefix. ExhibitPrep's Claimant's Exhibit template automatically formats as C-1, C-2, C-3, etc.
Respondent Exhibits: R-1, R-2, R-3...
The responding party uses "R-" prefix. This prevents confusion when both sides reference "Exhibit 1" during the hearing.
This convention is standard across AAA, JAMS, FINRA, and most private arbitrations.
Arbitration Templates
Claimant's Exhibit
Pre-configured with C- prefix for standard arbitration numbering (C-1, C-2, C-3...). Optional field to add claimant name to the stamp.
Respondent's Exhibit (Arb)
Pre-configured with R- prefix (R-1, R-2, R-3...). Distinct from family law respondent template.
Joint Exhibit
For documents both parties stipulate to authenticity. Common for foundational documents like contracts.
Summary Exhibit
For summaries of voluminous documents. Clearly marked for the record.
Forum-Specific Workflows
AAA
American Arbitration Association
- • Commercial, employment, construction
- • Pre-hearing exhibit exchange requirements
- • Claimant Ex. 1, 2... / Respondent Ex. A, B...
- • Hearing binder with combined exhibits
JAMS
Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services
- • Commercial, employment, IP disputes
- • More informal but still needs organization
- • Party-designated prefixes (C-1, R-1)
- • Digital and physical binder options
Private/Ad Hoc
Custom Arbitration Proceedings
- • Follows agreed-upon rules
- • Flexible labeling schemes
- • Often mirrors court exhibit rules
- • Adaptable to arbitrator preferences
Common Arbitration Challenges—Solved
Vague Exhibit Lists
Arbitrators and opposing counsel need clear exhibit descriptions.
Solution: ExhibitPrep auto-generates exhibit lists with document names and page counts.
Inconsistent Labeling
Different label formats confuse the record and cause objections.
Solution: Global settings ensure every exhibit uses the same format (C-1, C-2, C-3...).
Exhibit Disputes
Opposing counsel claims you changed exhibits after exchange.
Solution: Timestamp your export to document when exhibits were prepared.
Pre-Hearing Preparation Workflow
Drag and drop all documents you plan to introduce at the hearing.
Pro tip: Name files in order (01-Contract.pdf, 02-Email.pdf) for easier organization.
Apply party-specific labels like "C-1" for claimant or "R-1" for respondent.
Pro tip: Use the arbitration templates for automatic C- or R- prefixes.
Create a comprehensive exhibit list for pre-hearing exchange.
Pro tip: Include brief descriptions—"C-3: Email from J. Smith re: pricing, 03/15/2023."
Download a combined PDF with table of contents for the arbitrator.
Pro tip: Export combined PDF for the panel, individual files for your witness folders.
Professional Hearing Binders
Create combined PDF binders that impress arbitrators and make your case easy to follow:
- Combined PDF with bookmarks for easy navigation
- Auto-generated table of contents
- Print-ready or digital distribution
- Professional presentation for high-stakes disputes
What Arbitration Exhibit Prep Really Costs
| Approach | Software Cost | Time | Labor Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual preparation | — | 4-6 hours | $600-900 |
| Adobe Acrobat Pro | $240/year | 2-3 hours | $300-450 |
| ExhibitPrep | $14.99 day pass | 30 minutes | $75 |
Save $500+ per arbitration—focus on strategy, not document formatting
Free Arbitration Exhibit Checklist
4-phase checklist covering AAA, JAMS, and FINRA requirements — exchange deadlines, labeling conventions, electronic submission.
Arbitration Exhibit FAQ
What's the difference between arbitration and court exhibits?
Arbitration exhibits often follow more flexible rules than court proceedings, but professional presentation still matters. Arbitrators appreciate clear organization and consistent labeling. ExhibitPrep helps you create exhibits that meet any forum's requirements.
Can I use different prefixes for claimant vs respondent exhibits?
Yes. ExhibitPrep supports customizable prefixes like "Claimant Exhibit," "Respondent Exhibit," "C-," "R-," or any format required by your arbitration forum or agreed upon by the parties.
How do I create a hearing binder with bookmarks?
Use the combined PDF feature to merge all exhibits into a single document with an auto-generated table of contents. This creates a professional hearing binder that's easy for arbitrators to navigate.
What labeling format do AAA arbitrators prefer?
AAA arbitrations typically use sequential numbering with party identification (e.g., "Claimant Exhibit 1" or "C-1"). ExhibitPrep supports all common formats and lets you customize the prefix and numbering scheme.
Can I prepare exhibits for multiple arbitrations in one day?
Yes. The $14.99 day pass gives you 24 hours of unlimited exhibit stamping, so you can prepare exhibits for multiple arbitrations in a single session.
Is this secure for confidential commercial disputes?
Yes. ExhibitPrep processes all files locally in your browser. Your confidential documents never leave your computer or get uploaded to any server, ensuring complete privacy for sensitive commercial arbitrations.
What if the arbitrator requests exhibits in a specific order?
Use drag-and-drop to reorder your documents to match the arbitrator's preferred sequence. ExhibitPrep automatically renumbers exhibits after reordering, so you can organize by witness, chronology, or topic as needed.
Can I prepare both C- and R- exhibits in one session?
Yes. If you represent both parties or need to prepare counterparty exhibits for reference, you can switch templates between documents or create separate export batches with different prefixes.
Related Resources
Arbitration Exhibit Checklist
Free 4-phase checklist for AAA, JAMS, FINRA
Arbitration Exhibit Numbering
Claimant C-prefix vs Respondent R-prefix conventions
AAA Exhibit Requirements
AAA Commercial Arbitration Rule R-22
JAMS Exhibit Requirements
JAMS Rule 22(e) exhibit exchange
FINRA Exhibit Requirements
FINRA Rule 12510 — 20-day strict deadline
Commercial Arbitration Exhibits
Large-case exhibit management guide
Your Next Arbitration, Professionally Prepared
Create exhibit packages that make your case compelling and easy to follow.
Try It Free →ExhibitPrep is a document preparation tool. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with qualified legal counsel regarding specific arbitration forum requirements.