Education & Training

As a nonprofit organization, the MAA facilitates education and training regarding the use of alternative dispute resolution for maritime and related disputes. This serves our objective of resolving maritime disputes fairly and efficiently outside the courtroom.

The MAA educates the general public and the maritime community about the use of alternative dispute resolution through various publications. We facilitate professional education and training opportunities for maritime arbitrators and mediators. We also provide a forum for maritime neutrals to confer and exchange views on matters of interest.

The MAA offers certification programs leading to recognition as a “Certified Maritime Arbitrator” or “Certified Maritime Mediator”. Certification is the highest level of recognition by the MAA of the competency and experience of a neutral in handling maritime disputes. Not all qualified MAA neutrals are certified, but those who are certified have taken additional steps to have their achievements recognized by their peers.

To be MAA-certified, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

Distinguished academic background and professional credentials
Admitted to practice law in the United States
At least 20 years’ experience in maritime matters
Formal education, training and experience in arbitration or mediation
Judicial temperament, including fairness, impartiality and courtesy
Respect of the maritime bar for ethical conduct and professional ability
Passed peer review by the MAA
Continuing legal education requirements
Additional qualifications established by MAA