Pre-arbitration
Disputes & risk
The stage between representment and arbitration where the issuer challenges the merchant's representment with new evidence. The merchant has a final opportunity to respond before either party can escalate to arbitration. Both schemes require the issuer to file pre-arbitration within 30 (Visa) or 45 (Mastercard) days of the representment.
In practice.
Pre-arbitration is the second round of a dispute, after your representment is challenged. Each round adds fees and weeks, so the decision to continue is commercial: strong evidence and a meaningful amount justify it, anything else is usually better absorbed. Dispute partners earn their keep at this stage.
Related terms: Arbitration · Representment · Chargeback
Disputes & risk