To render decisions that meet our memberships’ quality expectations, arbitrators must remain knowledgeable about AF rules, hearing procedures, and system functionality.

A common set of security practices for all companies across all industries are the principle of least privilege (PoLP) and the principle of least functionality. Keeping a lean and clean set of privileges and functionality reduces the total footprint of potential accounts and access that can be compromised (e.g., a vault that has 15 doors is 15 times more vulnerable than a vault that has one door). In the case of AF’s website access and arbitrators, this means that we will begin deactivating arbitrator functionality when arbitrators are not actively hearing cases.

Effective April 1, 2024, AF will begin notifying arbitrators who have not heard a case in 90 days that they may be deactivated. This notification will serve as a reminder to log in and hear at least one case to remain active. Arbitrators who have not heard cases in the prior six months will be deactivated and required to take the Guide for Arbitrators quiz before being reactivated. Arbitrators who have not heard cases in the prior 12 months must complete the Quality Decisions webinar and associated quiz to be reactivated. These steps are necessary to refresh and familiarize returning arbitrators with any rule changes, hearing procedures, or system functionality.