2. Section 9(a) includes both the means of bringing the notice to the attention of the other parties and the contents of the notice of a claim. Both the means of giving the notice and the content of the notice are subject to the parties' agreement under Sections 4(b)(2) and 9(a) so long as any restrictions on the means or content are reasonable. Not only does this approach comport with the concept of party autonomy in arbitration but it also recognizes that many parties utilize arbitration organizations that require greater or lesser specificity of notice and service.

3. The introductory language to Section 9(a) concerns the means of informing other parties of the arbitration proceeding. Many arbitration organizations allow parties to initiate arbitration through the use of regular mail and do not require registered mail or service as in a civil action. See, e.g., American Arb. Ass'n, National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes, R. 4(b)(i)(2); Center for Public Resources, Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes, R. 2.1; National Arb. Forum Code of Pro. R. 6(B); National Ass'n of Securities Dealers Code of Arb. Procedure, Part I, sec. 25(a); New York Stock Exchange Arb. Rules, R. 612(b). This more informal means of giving notice without evidence of receipt would be allowed under Section 9 because Section 4(b)(2) allows the parties to agree to the means of giving notice so long as there are no unreasonable restrictions.

Likewise, parties, particularly in light of the increase in electronic commerce, may decide to arbitrate disputes arising between them and to provide notice of the initiation or other proceedings of the arbitration process through electronic means. See, e.g., National Arb. Forum Code of Pro. R. 6(B).

However, if the parties do not provide for a reasonable means of notice, then Section 9(a) requires that they utilize either certified or registered mail, with a return-receipt request and that such receipt is obtained, or the same type of service as authorized as in a civil action. The term "obtained" is intended to mean that the receipt was returned regardless of whether the recipient signed it.

4. Section 9(a) explicitly requires that notice of initiation of an arbitration proceeding be given to all parties to the arbitration agreement and not just to the party against whom a person files an arbitration claim. For instance, in a construction contract with a single arbitration agreement between multiple contractors and subcontractors, if one contractor