Without a valid arbitration agreement, no arbitration can take place or award can be rendered. In other words, a valid arbitration agreement is the cornerstone of any arbitration proceedings. Townsend, J.M., Drafting Arbitration Clauses: Avoiding the 7 Deadly Sins, Dispute Resolution Journal, 2003, p. 1.
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.
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.
See 9 U.S.C. § 1. In Concepcion, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that class action waivers in arbitration agreements are enforceable.
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.
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.
"A dispute having arisen between the parties concerning , the parties hereby agree that the dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules. The number of arbitrators shall be one/three. The seat, or legal place, of arbitration shall be City and/or Country.
"A dispute having arisen between the parties concerning , the parties hereby agree that the dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules. The number of arbitrators shall be one/three. The seat, or legal place, of arbitration shall be City and/or Country.
“Any dispute arising out of or incidental or in connection with this Contract / Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, operation, termination, validity or breach thereof, shall be referred to and finally resolved by Arbitration administered by 'Hyderabad Arbitration Centre' (HAC), in ance with ...
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.