Hunt ADR Travel Arbitration Scheme 2024: A Complete Guide

Описание: This video from Hunt ADR Limited provides a comprehensive overview of our Travel Arbitration scheme for 2024, designed to help you understand the process for resolving disputes with travel companies.

What is Arbitration?
Learn how arbitration offers a cost-effective, faster, and less formal alternative to court, based on written documentation.

What is Travel Arbitration?
Discover Hunt ADR's independent service specifically for resolving disputes between consumers and travel companies (including ABTA members, Love Holidays, and On the Beach). An arbitrator makes a binding decision (an "award").

Key Information:

Who runs it? Hunt ADR, specialists in mediation and arbitration services.
ABTA's Role: ABTA, the UK's largest travel association, uses Hunt ADR for its arbitration scheme. (Note: Not all users of the scheme are ABTA members.)
Independence: Hunt ADR is an independent and impartial service.
Case Advice: Hunt ADR offers procedural guidance only, not advice on the strength of your case.
Cost: A non-refundable £150 registration fee applies for claims up to £25,000.

How to Apply:

ABTA Members: First, complain to the member, then go through ABTA's dispute resolution. ABTA will provide a reference number if arbitration is needed.
Non-ABTA Members: Contact the travel company directly for their specific rules and application process.
Applications can be made online via a portal or by post.
The deadline to apply is 18 months from the return date (or intended return date) of your holiday.

The Arbitration Process:

Arbitrators: They are neutral, independent professionals (many are members of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators) who make legally binding decisions based on evidence. They are selected via a "cab rank" system based on availability.
The Award: This is the arbitrator's legally binding written decision, explaining the outcome. Efforts are made to ensure awards are clear and understandable.
Flight Delays: The scheme can deal with flight delays if they are part of a package holiday complaint, but not for standalone flight delay claims (which are handled by other CAA-approved providers).
Outcomes (Win/Lose):
If you win: The travel company pays within 21 days (unless an appeal is lodged within 28 days).
If you lose or get less than a previous offer: You'll pay an additional amount to the travel company, equal to your registration fee (£150). You also bear your own costs like photocopying.
Timeline: Expect an outcome within 8-12 weeks from application receipt, which is faster than court.
Legal Representation: Not required, but you can have it at your own expense (costs are not reclaimable even if you win).
Appeals: Options are limited; you can appeal to the High Court within 28 days or request an appeal under the scheme's procedure within 28 days. These deadlines are strict. Appeals generally require evidence of a serious error in law or arbitrator misconduct.
Confidentiality/Media: The process is confidential. Breaching this could lead to legal remedies. Discussing the case with the media before completion could prejudice the process.
Policy on Abusive Users: Hunt ADR will not tolerate abusive behaviour towards staff and reserves the right to refuse applications from abusive individuals.
Complaints: A specific procedure exists for service complaints about Hunt ADR (not for disagreeing with an award, which requires an appeal).
Extensions for Holidays: Specific extensions to deadlines are provided for bank holidays (Easter, May, August) and the Christmas/New Year period.

Important: Before applying, make sure to read the scheme rules and guidance notes, and complete all prior complaint processes with the travel company and ABTA (if applicable).

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