There is Often an Advantage in Choosing an Arbitrator who has Relevant Business and Technical Expertise, as well as an Understanding of Arbitration Practice
“[P]arties may wish to consider appointing co-arbitrators who bring to the tribunal knowledge and expertise in substantive areas material to resolving the dispute. A co-arbitrator who has such expertise brings something of real value to the table. Provided he also has a sufficient grounding in arbitration to understand his role on the tribunal and how to conduct himself, as well as familiarity with relevant legal concepts, such a co-arbitrator may well have significant influence within the tribunal".
KIRBY, J. (2009). With Arbitrators, Less Can be More: Why the Conventional Wisdom on the Benefits of having Three Arbitrators may be Overrated. Journal of International Arbitration. 26, 337 at pp. 353-54.
“I have often been grateful to a fellow arbitrator who explains an industry practice or helps me evaluate the testimony of a witness in a context in which I had no background at all”.
LOWENFELD, A., The Party-Appointed Arbitrator: Further Reflections, in NEWMAN, L. W., & HILL, R. D. (2004). The Leading Arbitrators' Guide to International Arbitration 41, at pp. 45-46. Huntington, NY, Juris Pub.