(a) The award shall be in writing and signed by the arbitrators joining in the award. The arbitrators shall deliver a copy of the award to each party personally or by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, or as provided in the agreement.
§ 9-9-10.Award to be in writing; copies furnished; time of making award; waiver
Chapter 9. Arbitration · Article 1. General Provisions · Last amended 2000 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceThe arbitrators must issue the award in writing, signed, and deliver a copy to each party, within whatever time the agreement fixes or, absent that, within 30 days after the hearing closes or a court-set time — though a party who fails to object in writing before delivery waives any complaint about lateness.
Full Text of § 9-9-10
(b) An award shall be made within the time fixed therefor by the agreement or, if not so fixed, within 30 days following the close of the hearing or within such time as the court orders. The parties may extend in writing the time either before or after its expiration. A party waives the objection that an award was not made within the time required unless he notifies in writing the arbitrators of his objection prior to the delivery of the award to him.
Plain-English Summary
This section sets the paperwork and timing rules for the arbitrators’ decision. Subsection (a) requires the award itself to be in writing and signed by the arbitrators joining in it, and requires the arbitrators to get a copy to every party — delivered in person, by registered or certified mail, by statutory overnight delivery with a return receipt, or by whatever method the parties’ agreement specifies.
Subsection (b) supplies a deadline when the parties have not set one themselves. If the arbitration agreement fixes a time for the award, that controls; otherwise the arbitrators have 30 days after the hearing closes, or whatever different period the court orders. The parties remain free to extend that deadline in writing, and they can do so even after it has already expired.
The lateness objection deserves attention because it is easy to miss. A party who thinks the award came in after the deadline does not get to raise that as a defense later for free — the objection has to be made in writing to the arbitrators before the award is delivered. Stay quiet until after delivery, and the objection is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the arbitration award have to be in writing?
Yes. It must be in writing and signed by the arbitrators who join in it.
How long do arbitrators have to issue an award if the agreement does not set a deadline?
30 days following the close of the hearing, or such other time as the court orders.
Can the parties extend the deadline for the arbitrators to make an award?
Yes, in writing, either before or after the original deadline expires.
What happens if a party wants to object that the award was not made in time?
The party must notify the arbitrators of the objection in writing before the award is delivered, or the objection is waived.
How is the award delivered to the parties?
Personally, by registered or certified mail, by statutory overnight delivery with a return receipt requested, or as the agreement otherwise provides.
Amendment History
Code 1933, § 7-311, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 2270, § 1; Code 1981, § 9-9-90; Code 1981, § 9-9-10, as redesignated by Ga. L. 1988, p. 903, § 1; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589, § 3.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, published by the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Georgia Code Revision Commission / LexisNexis. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
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