Validity of Arbitration Agreements Under Section 171.001 of the TAA, written agreements to arbitrate are generally valid and enforceable in Texas. This section ensures that, barring any specific legal exceptions, parties bound by a written agreement to arbitrate must settle their disputes outside of court.
Arbitration is often less costly than litigation due to streamlined procedures and fewer formalities. Litigation expenses can escalate quickly with court fees, attorney fees, and lengthy proceedings.
However, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that an employer can simply notify at-will employees of the details of an arbitration program it is adopting, and the employees can be bound to that arbitration program by continuing their employment, even if they never sign anything.
To give you an idea of the process that arbitration typically involves, the American Arbitration Association describes artibtration as having five main steps: Filing and initiation. Arbitrator selection. Preliminary hearing. Information exchange and preparation. Hearings. Post hearing submissions. Award.
The Scope of the Clause. This section of the clause is critical; it sets the boundaries for which disputes the tribunal is authorised to determine. Choice of Rules. The Number of Arbitrators. Appointing Authority. Choice of Venue. The language of the proceedings. Finality. Exclusion of the right of appeal.
Arbitration is a dispute resolution mechanism agreed on by parties, which involves the appointment of one or more ar- bitrators to preside over and to make a final decision on a dispute between two or more parties – instead of approaching a court of law to resolve the dispute.
There are typically seven stages of the arbitration process: Claimant Files a Claim. Respondent Submits Answer. Parties Select Arbitrators. Parties Attend Initial Prehearing Conference. Parties Exchange Discovery. Parties Attend Hearings. Arbitrators Deliberate and Render Award.
Under Section 171.001 of the TAA, written agreements to arbitrate are generally valid and enforceable in Texas.
To file the parties' request for arbitration, mail or fax DWC Form-044 to: Chief Clerk of Proceedings, Hearings. Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation. Hearings, Mail Code HRG. PO Box 12050. Austin, TX 78711-2050. or. 512-804-4011 (fax number)
The Scope of the Clause. This section of the clause is critical; it sets the boundaries for which disputes the tribunal is authorised to determine. Choice of Rules. The Number of Arbitrators. Appointing Authority. Choice of Venue. The language of the proceedings. Finality. Exclusion of the right of appeal.