Can I approach arbitration if my contract doesn't specifically mention it?

Yes, even without a pre-existing arbitration clause in your original contract, you and the other party can still mutually agree, after the dispute has arisen, to refer the matter to arbitration instead of going to court — this requires both parties' voluntary consent at that point, documented through a separate arbitration agreement covering the specific dispute.

If the other party isn't willing to agree to arbitration once a dispute has already arisen, you generally cannot force them into it without a pre-existing binding arbitration clause — in that situation, your dispute would proceed through the regular civil court process instead.

For future contracts, it's worth considering including an arbitration clause upfront if you generally prefer that dispute resolution method, since securing agreement to arbitrate becomes considerably harder once parties are already in an active, adversarial dispute. A lawyer can help you assess whether pursuing arbitration by mutual agreement is realistic in your current situation, or whether court litigation is the more practical path forward.