Article 26: Uniform Arbitration Act · Last amended 1987 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section requires an arbitration award to be in writing, signed by the arbitrators joining it, and delivered to each party, and it sets a thirty-day default deadline for making the award that the parties can extend and that a late-objecting party can waive.
Full Text of § 25-2609
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(a) The award shall be in writing and signed by the arbitrators joining in the award. The arbitrators shall deliver a copy to each party personally or by registered or certified mail or as provided in the agreement.
(b) An award shall be made within the time fixed therefor by the agreement or, if not so fixed, within such time as the court orders on application of a party but not more than thirty days after the hearing. The parties may extend the time in writing either before or after the expiration thereof. A party waives the objection that an award was not made within the time required unless he or she notifies the arbitrators of his or her objection prior to the delivery of the award to him or her.
Source
Laws 1987, LB 71, § 9.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-2609 sets the basic form and timing of an arbitration award. The award must be in writing and signed by the arbitrators who join in it, and the arbitrators deliver a copy to each party — personally, by registered or certified mail, or however the agreement provides.
Timing follows the agreement first: the award must be made within whatever time the agreement fixes. If the agreement is silent, the deadline is whatever time the court orders on a party’s application, but no more than thirty days after the hearing. The parties can extend that deadline in writing, whether before or after it runs out. And a party who wants to object that the award came too late has to speak up before the award is delivered — the objection is waived if the party fails to notify the arbitrators before then.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an arbitration award have to be in writing?
Yes. Section 25-2609 requires the award to be in writing and signed by the arbitrators joining in it.
How long do arbitrators have to issue their award?
Whatever time the agreement fixes. If the agreement does not set a deadline, the court sets one on application, but it cannot exceed thirty days after the hearing.
Can the parties agree to give the arbitrators more time?
Yes. The parties may extend the time for the award in writing, either before or after the original deadline expires.
What if the arbitrators miss the deadline for the award?
A party waives the objection that the award was untimely unless that party notifies the arbitrators of the objection before the award is delivered.
How is the award delivered to the parties?
Personally, by registered or certified mail, or in whatever manner the arbitration agreement provides.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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