How to organize and prepare your contractor dispute for arbitration
This playbook helps independent contractors move from informal dispute to formal arbitration — covering what to prepare, how to organize your evidence, and how to present your case clearly. The case-building tools are included with Pro+.
Your arbitration path — Pro+
Four steps from dispute to filing
Build your timeline
Create a dated, chronological record of every key event — deliveries, communications, disputes, and company responses.
Unlock Timeline BuilderOrganize your evidence
Gather and label your exhibits — pay records, photos, POD data, emails, and contract language — into a numbered index.
Unlock Evidence ToolsSend your final demand
Before filing, send a formal demand letter. This creates a paper trail and satisfies most pre-arbitration requirements.
Unlock Demand LetterPrepare your filing
Assemble your statement of facts, exhibit index, damages summary, and arbitration demand into a submission-ready packet.
Build My CaseMain goal
Build a clear, organized, evidence-backed submission that a neutral arbitrator can evaluate fairly — without relying on an attorney.
Best first move
Read your arbitration clause carefully. Know the provider, the timeline, and any pre-arbitration requirements before you file anything.
Do not do this
Do not file without completing required pre-arbitration steps or before gathering your evidence — a weak or incomplete filing is difficult to recover from.
Step-by-step process
1. Confirm arbitration is the right path
Review your contractor agreement for the arbitration clause. Identify the arbitration provider specified, the filing timeline, any demand thresholds, and whether pre-arbitration steps are required.
2. Complete required pre-arbitration steps
Most agreements require you to submit a written dispute before filing. Make sure you have done this and have documentation showing you attempted resolution in good faith.
3. Draft your statement of facts
Write a clear, chronological summary of the dispute — what happened, when, what you did, what the company did, and what outcome you are seeking. Keep it factual and specific.
4. Build your exhibit index
Label every document you intend to use as evidence. Include pay records, contracts, emails, photos, POD records, and any company communications. Number them sequentially.
5. Create your dispute timeline
Map every key event with dates — delivery dates, payment dates, when the dispute arose, when you notified them, and how they responded. A clear timeline is one of your strongest tools.
6. Prepare your damages summary
Quantify exactly what you are claiming — the amount deducted, withheld, or lost, broken down by date and pay period. Be specific. Vague damages are hard to award.
7. Submit your filing
Follow the arbitration provider's filing instructions exactly. Pay any required filing fee (some can be waived), submit your demand, and confirm the company received service.
Exhibit checklist
Label and organize these before filing.
- Contractor agreement with arbitration clause highlighted
- Written dispute(s) you previously submitted
- Company responses or non-responses to your dispute
- Pay statements showing amounts deducted or withheld
- Delivery records (POD, photos, GPS, timestamps)
- All relevant emails, texts, and app messages
- Any damage reports, SOP violation notices, or claim letters
- Your timeline of events (dated)
- Your damages summary (itemized)
Recommended tools for your packet
Arbitration packet builder
Case BuilderA guided framework for assembling your statement of facts, exhibit index, timeline, and damages summary.
Use This Guide →Timeline builder
Case BuilderBuild a clear, dated record of your dispute from start to finish — one of the most useful tools in arbitration.
Use This Guide →Demand letter
Dispute KitSend a strong final demand before filing — this also serves as evidence of good-faith resolution attempts.
Use This to Respond →ClaimGuard Pro+
Build a case-ready arbitration packet
Timeline builder, exhibit index, packet builder, and escalation tools — all included with Case Builder for $99 one-time.