This article examines the background and application of a recent change in legislation permitting parties to arbitration proceedings to appoint any judge of the English High Court as judge-arbitrator in the case. It explores the legislative provenance of the role of judge-arbitrator and the policy reasons behind the extension of the legislative facility for appointment. It also examines (from a party perspective) the potential advantages and disadvantages that attach to appointment of a judge-arbitrator, references cases where a judge-arbitrator has been appointed and discusses a number of issues arising out of the use of a judge-arbitrator.