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In a significant development for the legal community in Ohio, the Ohio Arbitration Center announced today that it will be resuming in-person hearings starting from March 1, 2026. This decision comes after a prolonged period of conducting virtual hearings due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.The Ohio Arbitration Center, located in Columbus, is a leading provider of alternative dispute resolution services in the state. Established in 2000, the center offers various arbitration and mediation services to help parties resolve their disputes in a timely and cost-effective manner.The decision to resume in-person hearings comes as a welcome relief for many attorneys, clients, and arbitrators who have had to navigate the challenges of conducting hearings virtually over the past two years. While virtual hearings were initially seen as a temporary solution to ensure the continuity of arbitration proceedings during the pandemic, many in the legal community have voiced concerns about the limitations and drawbacks of conducting hearings remotely.The Ohio Arbitration Center has stated that all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the hearings. This includes implementing strict health and safety protocols, such as mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and enhanced cleaning procedures.Despite the return to in-person hearings, the Ohio Arbitration Center will continue to offer virtual hearings as an option for parties who prefer or require it. This flexibility reflects the center's commitment to providing efficient and accessible dispute resolution services to all clients.The resumption of in-person hearings at the Ohio Arbitration Center is seen as a positive step towards returning to normalcy in the legal community. With the continued rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and improved public health conditions, many are hopeful that the center's decision will set a precedent for other arbitration institutions to follow suit.