arbiter

An arbiter is a person or entity that settles disputes or makes authoritative decisions in a conflict, serving as a neutral or independent party whose judgments are accepted by the disputing sides. The term derives from the Latin arbiter, meaning judge or umpire. In legal and commercial contexts, arbitration uses arbitrators to render binding awards outside of courts. Arbitrators may be chosen by the parties, appointed by an arbitral institution, or designated by a court, and their awards are typically enforceable under international conventions such as the New York Convention. Arbitration can offer confidentiality, specialist expertise, and potentially faster resolution than litigation.

In sports and formal competitions, an arbiter is an official who enforces rules and maintains order during play. The role and title vary by sport; some contexts use referee, umpire, or judge, but the term arbiter is used in professional or technical discussions to denote an authoritative decision-maker. In chess, for example, an arbiter enforces the rules, assesses illegal moves, and can adjudicate disputes or dismiss players in accordance with established regulations.

In computing and information technology, an arbiter is a mechanism that allocates access to a shared resource, such as a computer bus, memory, or network switch. The arbiter decides which requesting device gains access when multiple requests arrive simultaneously. Arbitration schemes include fixed priority, round-robin, and other fairness strategies. Software and hardware components may act as arbiters to coordinate processes, devices, or communications.

The term also encompasses the general idea of a neutral authority charged with resolving disagreements or defining standards. The verb form is arbitrate.