drafted arbitration clause can kill a class action in its infancy. Therefore, when evaluating a consumer class action case, you should attempt to determine whether the putative plaintiff is in a contractual relationship with the defendant business.
Unconscionability requires a showing of both a procedural and substantive defect in the document for the agreement to be rendered unenforceable by the court. Procedural unconscionability results from oppression or unfair surprise to one party caused by unequal bargaining power.
Much like the opening statement in a trial, your arbitration statement should lay out what the “evidence” – the written material – will show regarding the proper credit on the project. The Arbitration Statement is not established fact, just your assessment of the material.
Class-Action Waivers – Illinois Supreme Court found class arbitration waiver unenforceable. (Ill. 2006). Arbitration clause held to be substantively unconscionable.
However, employers that mandate arbitration often include class-action waivers in their employment contracts. This prevents workers from litigating their cases jointly, and instead requires them each to proceed with their relatively small individual claims through arbitration.
See 9 U.S.C. § 1. In Concepcion, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that class action waivers in arbitration agreements are enforceable.
Under binding arbitration, as is required here, the parties agree to accept the arbitrator's decision as final, limiting their right to seek resolution of the dispute by the court.
In some instances, you may be able to sue if you signed a valid arbitration agreement. While courts generally favor arbitration agreements, they will allow you to file a lawsuit if either you didn't understand your rights or your claims fall outside the arbitration provision's scope.
The arbitrator's final decision on the case is called the “award.” This is like a judge's or jury's decision in a court case. Once the arbitrator decides that all of the parties' evidence and arguments have been presented, the arbitrator will close the hearings. This means no more evidence or arguments will be allowed.