DEVELOPED BY

AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION

AND

Arbitration is the voluntary submission of a dispute to one or more impartial persons for a final and binding determination. It is private and informal, designed for quick, practical, and inexpensive settlements. At the same time, arbitration is an orderly proceeding, governed by the rules of procedure and standards of conduct. This is so especially where proceedings are administered by an impartial agency dedicated exclusively to arbitration. Such an agency is the American Arbitration Association (AAA).

This "Plan for Voluntary Arbitration of Freight Loss and Damage Claim Disputes Between Claimants and Carriers" is the result of a cooperative effort between representatives of shippers, National Small Shipments Traffic Conference, Inc., and the American Arbitration Association. This Plan enables claimants and carriers to economically, fairly and promptly settle claim disputes by arbitration.

This "Plan" is available for the resolution of loss and damage claim disputes between claimants and motor carriers, railroads, air carriers, water carriers, forwarders, brokers, shippers agents, consolidators and their insurers or agents involving interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce and shall include both regulated and exempt transportation.

Copies of arbitration awards shall be kept on file by AAA and NASSTRAC to develop research and statistical data. Both organizations shall protect the confidentiality of the parties involved in said awards.