(a) Prior to inclusion on a list of proposed associate arbitrators, the arbitration administrator shall make an appropriate initial screening for bias and shall require associate arbitrator candidates for a particular case to complete a current personal disclosure statement under oath. In addition to other relevant information, the statement shall disclose any personal acquaintance with any of the parties or their counsel and the nature of such acquaintance. If the statement reveals facts which suggest the possibility of partiality, the arbitration administrator shall communicate those facts to the parties.
§ 7555.Screening for bias; communication with arbitrator candidates
Article 75-A. Health Care Arbitration · Last amended 1986 · Last verified July 21, 2026
In one sentenceCPLR 7555 requires the arbitration administrator to screen candidate associate arbitrators for bias through a sworn disclosure statement and bars any party from communicating directly with an arbitrator candidate once a demand for arbitration is filed.
Full Text of CPLR 7555
(b) No party shall communicate with an associate arbitrator candidate, directly or indirectly, except through the arbitration administrator, at any time after the filing of the demand for arbitration. Any candidate who is aware of such communication shall immediately notify the arbitration administrator.
Plain-English Summary
Before a candidate's name ever reaches a party's list, CPLR 7555 has the arbitration administrator run an initial screen for bias. Each candidate must complete a current personal disclosure statement under oath, covering any personal acquaintance with the parties or their counsel and describing the nature of that acquaintance. If the statement turns up facts suggesting the candidate might not be impartial, the administrator has to pass those facts along to the parties before selection goes forward.
The second half of the section locks down communication. Once a demand for arbitration has been filed, no party may contact an associate arbitrator candidate directly or indirectly except through the arbitration administrator. Any candidate who becomes aware that this rule has been broken must notify the administrator immediately. Together, the disclosure requirement and the communication ban are meant to keep the selection process free of the kind of behind-the-scenes influence that could taint a panel before it even convenes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What disclosure must an arbitrator candidate make under CPLR 7555?
A current personal disclosure statement under oath, covering any personal acquaintance with the parties or their counsel and its nature, along with other relevant information.
Can a party contact an arbitrator candidate directly?
No. Once a demand for arbitration is filed, all communication with a candidate must go through the arbitration administrator, not directly or indirectly with the party.
What happens if the disclosure statement reveals a possible bias?
The arbitration administrator must communicate those facts to the parties before the candidate is placed on the list for selection.
What must a candidate do if they learn a party tried to contact them directly?
Immediately notify the arbitration administrator of the improper communication.
When does the ban on contacting arbitrator candidates start?
It starts at the filing of the demand for arbitration and continues from that point forward, covering both direct and indirect communication with a candidate.
Amendment History
Add, L 1986, ch 266, § 5, eff July 8, 1986.
Source & verification. Provision text, History, and Advisory
Committee Notes are reproduced verbatim from the Consolidated Laws of New York.
Last verified July 21, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: arbitrator bias screening New Yorkex parte communication with arbitratorarbitrator disclosure statement HMOconflict of interest health care arbitration