Circuit and method for resource arbitration

A circuit and corresponding method perform resource arbitration. The circuit comprises a pending arbiter (PA) that outputs a PA selection for accessing a resource. The PA is selection based on PA input. The PA input represents respective pending-state of requesters of the resource. The circuit further comprises a valid arbiter (VA) that outputs a VA selection for accessing the resource. The VA selection is based on VA input. The VA input represents respective valid-state of the requesters. The circuit performs a validity check on the PA selection output. The circuit outputs a final selection for accessing the resource by selecting, based on the validity check performed, the PA selection output or VA selection output. The circuit addresses arbitration fairness issues that may result when multiple requesters are arbitrating to be selected for access to a shared resource and such requesters require a credit (token) to be eligible for arbitration.