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.
If you are in a contract containing an arbitration clause naming the AAA Rules, you may still be able to bring your dispute in small claims court instead of arbitration, as long as the claim falls within the jurisdiction requirements of the small claims 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.
A court may refuse to enforce an arbitration agreement if the agreement fails to satisfy California's conscionability standards. (Civ. Code, § 1670.5; Armendariz, 24 Cal. 4th at 114.)
So long as a defendant can show a valid agreement to arbitrate and a valid class action waiver, then a putative class action plaintiff will be unable to proceed on a class basis.
For instance, if an arbitration agreement is signed as part of the initial employment contract, your employment can be valid consideration – You give up your rights to potential legal action in exchange for a job. However, what constitutes valid consideration in the employment context varies from state to state.
Last year we reported on the California Supreme Court's decision that class action waivers in employment contracts are enforceable in California notwithstanding unconscionability or State public policy to the contrary when the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) applies.
Generally Arbitration Agreements Are Enforceable When faced with the question of whether or not to enforce an agreement to arbitrate, American courts routinely uphold the vast majority of arbitration clauses.
Traditionally, to prove waiver of the right to arbitrate, a party must prove that (1) the waiving party had knowledge of an existing right to compel arbitration; (2) acted inconsistently with that existing rights; and (3) there was prejudice to the party opposing arbitration.
Either Party to a contract in which there is an Arbitration clause can either himself or through an authorised agent may invoke Arbitration so as to refer the dispute to arbitration, as per provisions of the arbitration clause.