A plurality of arbitration devices is hierarchically coupled and has a plurality of child devices and at least one parent device. Each of the plurality of arbitration devices is operable to store a previous arbitration winner. In addition, the plurality of arbitration devices is operable to generate a request-out signal based on a plurality of request-in signals, and is operable to generate a select-out signal from a select-in signal, a plurality of request-in signals and from the previous arbitration winner. The request-out signals of the plurality of child devices are coupled to request-in signals of their respective parent devices and select-in signals of the child devices are received from select-out signals of the respective parent devices. Access is granted by a select-out signal from a device of the plurality of arbitration devices that resides at the lowest level of the system.