National Arbitration Forum Expands Stays to Additional Areas Affected by Hurricane Katrina; Provides Donation for Disaster Relief

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., The National Arbitration Forum (http://www.arbitration-forum.com) announced today that it has expanded the areas to which it has suspended hearings and other proceedings involving parties affected by Hurricane Katrina. Effective immediately, this suspension applies to parties who reside or do business in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and in select regions of Florida having an address with a Zip Code that begins with the following three digits: 323, 324, 325, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, and 341. This suspension is in effect until October 3, 2005.

In addition, and on a case-by-case basis, stays will be liberally granted in instances where parties have been otherwise affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The National Arbitration Forum will continually monitor developments and recovery efforts in the affected areas in order to reassess the situation and evaluate whether additional measures need to be taken. After October 3rd, the National Arbitration Forum will set forth procedures explaining how it may begin processing some cases in the affected areas.

All parties affected by Hurricane Katrina are encouraged to contact the National Arbitration Forum as soon as is reasonably convenient in order to advise of their current location and contact information. All inquires from parties or their representatives can be made by contacting the National Arbitration Forum at 800-474-2371.

Further developments can be monitored at the National Arbitration Forum website at http://www.arbitration-forum.com

Hurricane Relief Donations
The National Arbitration Forum also announced today that together with donations from its employees, arbitrators, and mediators, Managing Director Ed Anderson presented a check for $40,000 to the Salvation Army earlier this week to support its hurricane relief efforts in affected areas. The National Arbitration Forum continues to accept donations, which it will match dollar for dollar. Highlights of the presentation of the check to Major Paul Fleeman of the Salvation Army are available at the National Arbitration Forum blog at http://arbitration-forum.blogspot.com/.

About the National Arbitration Forum
The National Arbitration Forum is one of the world's leading providers of alternative dispute resolution solutions, including arbitration and mediation, representing a distinguished panel of over 1,500 attorneys and retired judges in the U.S. and in 29 countries. Founded in 1986, the National Arbitration Forum administers more than 50,000 cases annually. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the National Arbitration Forum also has offices located in New Jersey and Los Angeles. Additional information is available at the National Arbitration Forum's Web site at http://www.arbitration-forum.com