Fees charged by arbitrators where the parties settle during the hearing day may vary.

4. Travel Time

It is recommended that travel time not be charged unless travel to the hearing involves significant time. Arbitrators should follow the practice of most professionals to charge for travel time at a reduced rate.

5. File Fee

When a hearing is cancelled outside the time period for which a cancellation fee is charged, it is the practice of some established arbitrators to charge a fee for time spent in the administration of the file, including correspondence, faxes, telephone calls, issuing subpoenas, making and cancelling hearing and travel arrangements as well as discussions with parties, counsel and nominees. It is recommended that where such fees are charged they not exceed 10% of the arbitrator's block fee for a single day of hearing and award, and that they be charged as part of the arbitrator's fee for service and not as a disbursement.

The Association suggests that no file fee be charged where a hearing proceeds and a fee for services rendered is charged or where a cancellation fee is charged, as the time expended on the file is generally considered to be a component of the block fee or the cancellation fee, as the case may be.

6. Disbursements

It is recommended that the normal cost of administering an arbitrator's office, including overhead such as secretarial salaries, rent, equipment and other expenses not be factored into an arbitrator's account as a disbursement, under the heading of "administrative costs" or otherwise. It is generally recognized that the fixed overhead incurred by an arbitrator is a factor included in his or her block fee for service, and is not charged under any other head of service or expense.

Disbursements are charges which relate directly to the file, such as the costs of travel, hearing room rentals, meals and accommodation as well as telephone calls, courier costs, faxes, photocopying and postage. Charges for disbursements must be limited to those costs which are actual and reasonable in the circumstances.

7. Fees Mediation/Arbitration

a) The schedule of fees filed by the arbitrator with the Office of Arbitration should contain a statement as to whether the arbitrator is willing to be bound by the fees mediation/arbitration service of the Ontario Labour-Management Arbitrators' Association, in the event of any unresolved complaint with respect to an account rendered.

b) The Administrator of the fees mediation/arbitration system of the Association shall issue a written report, annually, to all members of the Association, containing a brief outline of the complaints received during the fiscal year, and their disposition, whether through settlement or arbitration. The sole purpose of the report is to promote general understanding and consistency in the practices of the Association's members. Consequently, the report shall not name or directly or indirectly identify the parties or the arbitrator involved in any complaint.

c) Members of the Association should make all reasonable efforts to make the parties and their representatives aware of the fees guidelines of the Association, as well as the fees mediation/arbitration service administered by it.