Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution utilized in certain civil cases in Winnebago County and Boone County to expedite resolution and avoid trial. Arbitration is a mandatory process in which the parties and their attorneys appear before a panel of three trained attorneys and present their evidence and arguments. The cases sent to arbitration will fall within a set range of moderate monetary damages. The hope is that the parties will come to a mutually satisfying agreement outside of court.