(a) An arbitration award shall be made in writing and shall be signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators. In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, the signatures of the majority of all members of the arbitration tribunal shall suffice, provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated.
§ 9-9-53.Arbitration award
Chapter 9. Arbitration · Article 1. General Provisions · Last amended 2012 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceSection 9-9-53 sets the formal requirements for a valid arbitration award — written and signed (by a majority in multi-arbitrator cases, noting any missing signature), reasoned unless the parties waived reasons or it is an agreed-terms award, dated and located at the seat determined under Section 9-9-42, delivered to each party, and paired with tribunal authority to award fees, expenses, and costs.
Full Text of § 9-9-53
(b) The arbitration award shall state the reasons upon which it is based, unless the parties have agreed that no reasons are to be given or the arbitration award is an arbitration award on agreed terms pursuant to Code Section 9-9-52.
(c) The arbitration award shall state its date and the place of arbitration as determined in accordance with subsection (a) of Code Section 9-9-42. The arbitration award shall be deemed to have been made at that place.
(d) After the arbitration award is made, a copy signed by the arbitrators in accordance with subsection (a) of this Code section shall be delivered to each party.
(e) The arbitrators may award reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, fees and expenses of legal counsel, to any party to the arbitration and shall allocate the costs of the arbitration among the parties as it determines appropriate.
Plain-English Summary
This section is the checklist an arbitration award has to satisfy to count as valid. It has to be in writing and signed by the arbitrator, or arbitrators. When more than one arbitrator sits on the case, signatures from a majority of the full tribunal are enough, as long as the award explains why any signature is missing.
Reasoning is the default too — the award has to explain why the tribunal decided the way it did, unless the parties agreed to skip reasons or the award only memorializes a settlement under Code Section 9-9-52. The award also has to carry a date and identify the place of arbitration fixed under Code Section 9-9-42, and the law treats the award as having been made at that place regardless of where the arbitrators signed it. Once finished, a signed copy goes to each party.
The section closes with the tribunal’s authority over money beyond the underlying dispute: arbitrators can award reasonable fees and expenses incurred, including legal counsel’s fees, and must allocate the overall costs of the arbitration among the parties in whatever way they judge appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an arbitration award have to be in writing?
Yes — the award must be made in writing and signed by the arbitrator or arbitrators.
Does every arbitrator on a multi-member tribunal have to sign the award?
No — signatures from a majority of all members of the tribunal are enough, as long as the reason for any omitted signature is stated.
Does the award have to explain the tribunal’s reasoning?
Yes, by default — unless the parties agreed that no reasons need be given, or the award is an award on agreed terms recording a settlement under Code Section 9-9-52.
Can arbitrators award attorney’s fees and allocate arbitration costs?
Yes — arbitrators may award reasonable fees and expenses incurred, including legal counsel’s fees, and shall allocate the costs of arbitration among the parties as they determine appropriate.
What information must appear on the face of the award besides the reasoning?
The award must state its date and the place of arbitration as determined under Code Section 9-9-42, and the law deems the award to have been made at that place.
Amendment History
Code 1981, § 9-9-53, enacted by Ga. L. 2012, p. 961, § 1/SB 383.
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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