As a general rule, only strong evidence of duress or fraud are sufficient to invalidate an arbitration clause.
Businesses that are party to an arbitration agreement governed by Nevada law should understand that a little-known Nevada statute renders these agreements unenforceable if a contract lacks so-called “specific authorization” indicating that a person affirmatively assented to the arbitration provision itself.
These agreements typically mean that arbitration is the first recourse in resolving a dispute, but certain circumstances, such as procedural irregularities in the arbitration process or an arbitrator's conflict of interest, can still lead to court interventions.
Yes. The Federal Arbitration Act, or FAA, was passed in 1925 in response to a variety of court decisions that held arbitration agreements unenforceable. This law provides that arbitration agreements are generally valid and enforceable.
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.
The request for exemption must be filed within 21 days after the filing of an answer by the first answering defendant, and the party requesting the exemption must certify that his or her case is included in one of the categories of exempt cases listed in NAR 5(b). The parties may file a joint request for exemption.
Arbitration clauses are frequently paired with class action waivers, which prevent contracting parties to file class action lawsuits against each other. In the United States, arbitration clauses also often include a provision which requires parties to waive their rights to a jury trial.
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.
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.
A party is deceived, intimidated, or coerced during the execution of the arbitration agreement and requests a declaration that such arbitration agreement is invalid; and. The arbitration agreement violates prohibitions specified by the law.