Tag: Arbitration

The Power of Incorporation Compels You: Surety Succeeds in Compelling Contractor to Arbitrate Bond Claims Pursuant to Arbitration Clause in Subcontract

In Swinerton Builders, Inc. v. Argonaut Insurance Co., Swinerton Builders, a contractor, sued a surety on bond claims arising from defaults by its subcontractor on a series of work orders. The owner of Swinerton’s mechanical subcontractor on three projects passed away unexpectedly, and the subcontractor was unable to complete its remaining work on the projects.

Swinerton filed a complaint in August 2023 against Argonaut, the subcontractor’s surety, seeking to recover on the payment and performance bonds issued by Argonaut. The complaint also included claims for breach of the covenant of good faith and fraud. Argonaut responded by moving to dismiss based on the arbitration clause in Swinerton’s subcontract. The bonds at issue incorporated by reference the subcontract, including the arbitration provision. The federal district court converted the motion to dismiss to a motion to stay and compel arbitration based on the requirements of the Federal Arbitration Act.

To compel arbitration, the court noted that Argonaut must show that there was an agreement to arbitrate with Swinerton and that the disputes at issue fell under that agreement. Swinerton argued that it only agreed to arbitrate disputes between Swinerton and the subcontractor and that the arbitration provision did not apply to Argonaut, a non-signatory to the subcontract agreement.

The court disagreed with Swinerton and granted Argonaut’s motion. Relying on precedent holding that a surety may be bound by an arbitration provision where the bond incorporates the underlying contract containing the arbitration clause, the court ruled that the same rationale supported the surety’s motion to compel in this instance. The court also did not find persuasive Swinerton’s argument that it should not be compelled to arbitrate where the bonded subcontractor’s default was not disputed. The court determined the alleged breaches of the subcontract would have to be arbitrated.

It is not clear why Argonaut elected to pursue arbitration as opposed to litigating the bond claims. The surety may have been concerned with the bad faith and fraud claims asserted by Swinerton and concluded that arbitrating such disputes would be preferable to a jury trial on those issues. However, the court did note that the arbitrator would retain authority to determine which of Swinerton’s claims were arbitrable under the arbitration agreement, so there remains a risk that some of the claims will be referred back to the court by the arbitrator. Regardless, for parties choosing whether to arbitrate or litigate under their construction contracts, the expansive application of the arbitration provision by the court in Swinerton Builders is another factor to be considered, especially where performance is secured by third-party bonds, guarantees, and other instruments.

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© 2024 Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
For more on Contractors, visit the NLR Construction Law section

The Power of Incorporation Compels You: Surety Succeeds in Compelling Contractor to Arbitrate Bond Claims Pursuant to Arbitration Clause in Subcontract

In Swinerton Builders, Inc. v. Argonaut Insurance Co., Swinerton Builders, a contractor, sued a surety on bond claims arising from defaults by its subcontractor on a series of work orders. The owner of Swinerton’s mechanical subcontractor on three projects passed away unexpectedly, and the subcontractor was unable to complete its remaining work on the projects.

Swinerton filed a complaint in August 2023 against Argonaut, the subcontractor’s surety, seeking to recover on the payment and performance bonds issued by Argonaut. The complaint also included claims for breach of the covenant of good faith and fraud. Argonaut responded by moving to dismiss based on the arbitration clause in Swinerton’s subcontract. The bonds at issue incorporated by reference the subcontract, including the arbitration provision. The federal district court converted the motion to dismiss to a motion to stay and compel arbitration based on the requirements of the Federal Arbitration Act.

To compel arbitration, the court noted that Argonaut must show that there was an agreement to arbitrate with Swinerton and that the disputes at issue fell under that agreement. Swinerton argued that it only agreed to arbitrate disputes between Swinerton and the subcontractor and that the arbitration provision did not apply to Argonaut, a non-signatory to the subcontract agreement.

The court disagreed with Swinerton and granted Argonaut’s motion. Relying on precedent holding that a surety may be bound by an arbitration provision where the bond incorporates the underlying contract containing the arbitration clause, the court ruled that the same rationale supported the surety’s motion to compel in this instance. The court also did not find persuasive Swinerton’s argument that it should not be compelled to arbitrate where the bonded subcontractor’s default was not disputed. The court determined the alleged breaches of the subcontract would have to be arbitrated.

It is not clear why Argonaut elected to pursue arbitration as opposed to litigating the bond claims. The surety may have been concerned with the bad faith and fraud claims asserted by Swinerton and concluded that arbitrating such disputes would be preferable to a jury trial on those issues. However, the court did note that the arbitrator would retain authority to determine which of Swinerton’s claims were arbitrable under the arbitration agreement, so there remains a risk that some of the claims will be referred back to the court by the arbitrator. Regardless, for parties choosing whether to arbitrate or litigate under their construction contracts, the expansive application of the arbitration provision by the court in Swinerton Builders is another factor to be considered, especially where performance is secured by third-party bonds, guarantees, and other instruments.

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© 2024 Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
For more on Contractors, visit the NLR Construction Law section

Strategic Use of Arbitration Provisions in Nonprofits’ Contracts

In the nonprofit sector, organizations often face unique legal challenges that require efficient and cost-effective dispute resolution mechanisms. Arbitration provisions in contracts can offer nonprofits a strategic advantage by providing a streamlined process for resolving disputes. Below, we explore the benefits and strategic considerations for incorporating arbitration clauses in contracts, drawing on recent developments and case law.

Background and Legal Basis

Arbitration is increasingly favored in the business context for its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and confidentiality. Unlike traditional litigation, arbitration generally allows parties to resolve disputes more quickly and with less expense, which is particularly beneficial for nonprofits operating on limited budgets. The process is also private, protecting sensitive information related to donors and beneficiaries, avoiding potential adverse publicity and reputational harm, and has less risk of unpredictability like a “run-away” jury verdict.

The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), enacted in 1925, provides the foundational legal framework for arbitration in the United States. As a result, arbitration agreements involving interstate or foreign commerce are enforceable and binding. The FAA’s core principle is to support a national policy favoring arbitration, overcoming historical resistance in some areas.

The Uniform Arbitration Act and its revised version offer a model statute adopted by most states to ensure the enforceability of arbitration agreements, even in the face of state laws that may be hostile to arbitration.

Under these arbitration statutes, federal or state courts may be involved both before or after arbitration. First, the courts are empowered to order parties to arbitrate where an enforceable arbitration agreement exists. Second, the courts may conduct a substantially limited review of an arbitration award and may enter judgment on the award or, in some cases, vacate the award or order further arbitration proceedings.

Federal Court Jurisdiction

Most trial lawyers prefer federal courts. However, the FAA does not automatically confer federal court jurisdiction over arbitration matters. Federal court jurisdiction requires a federal question or diversity of citizenship between the parties. When one of the arbitrating parties is structured as an LLC or non-corporate entity, determining diversity can be complex because it is based on the citizenship of the individuals or corporations that ultimately own the entity, regardless of how many layers are in the ownership structure. Thus, as a practical matter, many arbitration matters are decided within state courts.

Arbitration Rules

There is no requirement that an arbitration agreement select an arbitration organization to administer the arbitration. Private arbitration, where the parties self-administer the matter, is possible but increasingly rare. Instead, there are two major arbitration organizations in the United States and many smaller ones. The two major organizations are the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS). Each organization has several sets of arbitration rules focused on the nature of the dispute. For example, there are rules for general commercial disputes, expedited cases, and larger, more complex matters. Selecting the applicable rules is an important consideration when drafting an arbitration provision.

Drafting Arbitration Clauses

When drafting arbitration clauses, clarity and precision are paramount; otherwise, you risk entering into litigation to interpret the clause. At the very least, the arbitration clause should cover the when, where, which, and how details of the arbitration process. Nonprofits should consider whether to use broad or narrow clauses. Broad clauses cover all disputes arising from or relating to the contract, while narrow clauses limit arbitration to specific issues. Sample clauses are available from the AAA and JAMS that provide templates for structuring effective arbitration agreements. These clauses should specify the rules governing arbitration, the number of arbitrators, and the location of proceedings, among other issues.

Deemed Arbitration Clauses

Courts have found other contractual clauses to be arbitration clauses and subjected them to the requirements for arbitration. For example, a real estate contract that included a procedure involving three experts to determine the actual square footage development potential of a property to be sold was deemed an arbitration clause. Thus, when the parties disagreed as to the determination by the experts, the court performed only the substantially limited review used to review arbitration awards, not a broader review that would allow reversal for mistakes or law or fact.

Conclusion

For nonprofits, arbitration provisions offer a strategic tool for managing disputes efficiently and confidentially. However, nonprofits should carefully draft effective arbitration clauses that align with their operational needs and legal obligations. Thoughtful consideration of the scope, rules, and procedural requirements will ensure that arbitration serves as a valuable mechanism for dispute resolution.

© 2024 ArentFox Schiff LLP
For more news on Arbitration Provisions, visit the NLR ADR, Arbitration, & Mediation section.

In Trio of Decisions, Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Splits on Arbitration

Three recent Supreme Court Decisions—Coinbase v. Suski, Smith v. Spizzirri, and Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries—based on consumer and employment disputes have resolved significant circuit splits over arbitration. These cases were all decided by a unanimous Court, with Justices Jackson, Sotomayor, and Roberts authoring the three opinions.

Supreme Court Considers Arbitrability Based on Conflicting Contracts

In Coinbase v. Suski (May 23, 2024), the Supreme Court held that where there is a conflict between one or more contracts between same parties regarding the arbitrability of a dispute, a court alone (and not the arbitrator) must decide which contract governs. The appeal arose from a sweepstakes dispute wherein the official rules of the sweepstakes conflicted with the defendant’s user agreement.

After the plaintiff consumers brought a class action in California federal court, the defendant sought a motion to dismiss based on an arbitration provision in the user agreement. The district court denied the defendant’s motion based on the forum selection clause in a contract detailing the sweepstakes’ rules. The Ninth Circuit affirmed, agreeing that the forum selection clause, which gave sole jurisdiction over sweepstakes-related disputes to California courts, superseded the arbitration provision in the user agreement.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court agreed with the Ninth Circuit that courts, not arbitrators, must decide the threshold question of whether a subsequent agreement supersedes an arbitration provision, dismissing concerns that the holding would invite challenges to delegation clauses that empower arbitrators to decide disputes concerning arbitrability.

Prior to the decision in Suski, there was no precedent in the First Circuit addressing the question of who resolves conflicting dispute resolution clauses. However, the Court’s decision accords with the approach of the First Circuit to related questions.

In Biller v. S-H OpCo Greenwich Bay Manor, LLC (2020), the First Circuit held that for parties to agree to have an arbitrator decide gateway questions of arbitrability, they must do by “clear and unmistakable evidence,” safeguarding a court’s jurisdiction to decide questions of arbitrability. Similarly, in McKenzie v. Brennan (2021), the First Circuit held that the court holds the decision-making power to decide whether parties intend to arbitrate a dispute when a new contract between the parties does not contain a broad arbitration clause, but an earlier contract does.

District Courts May Not Dismiss Cases Referred to Arbitration Upon a Request to Stay

In Smith v. Spizzirri (May 16, 2024), the Supreme Court interpreted 9 U.S.C. § 3 to mean that when a district court finds that a contract compels arbitration and a party has requested a stay of court proceedings pending arbitration, the court lacks jurisdiction to dismiss the suit. Instead, the Supreme Court determined that a lower court must stay the proceedings until the dispute is resolved in arbitration or the dispute is brought back before the court.

The decision arose from a California class action alleging delivery drivers had been misclassified as independent contractors and denied required wages and paid leave. While the Ninth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s discretion to dismiss the action referred to arbitration on a motion by the defendant, the Supreme Court unanimously reversed and remanded. Spizzirri may be understood as the complement to an earlier decision also involving Coinbase, Coinbase v. Bielski (June 23, 2023) (see our prior alert here), which held that a district court must stay its proceedings while an interlocutory appeal on the question of arbitrability is ongoing.

The First Circuit (as well as the Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits) had previously held that a district court has discretion to either dismiss litigation without prejudice or stay the proceedings. Dismissal following a referral to arbitration provided plaintiffs with an opportunity to appeal that final, adverse ruling, with the Supreme Court’s decision now requiring plaintiffs to wait until the arbitration has been completed.

While the First Circuit has not yet passed a decision under following Spizzirri, a recent decision by the Rhode Island District Court may indicate how post-Spizzirri questions will be decided. In De Simone v. Citizens Bank (June 17, 2024) the court directly cited to Spizzirri to conclude that the proceedings in that case must be stayed pending arbitration. At the appellate level, the Ninth Circuit (which previously, like the First Circuit, held that courts have discretion to stay or dismiss) amended its opinion in Herrera v. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (March 11, 2024; amended June, 24, 2024) to reflect the decision in Spizzirri, writing that “Spizzirri made clear that a district court does not have discretion to dismiss the action when granting a motion to compel arbitration under 9 U.S.C. § 3.”

Supreme Court Holds Workers in Any Industry May Benefit from Arbitration Exemption

In Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries Park St. LLC (May 14, 2024), the Supreme Court unanimously held that the Federal Arbitration Act’s exemption for transportation workers at 9 U.S.C. § 1, which protects workers in foreign or interstate transportation from having their employment claims referred to mandatory arbitration, may apply to workers in any industry.

In LePage Bakeries, the defendant companies argued that baked goods delivery drivers were not protected from the exemption because they were not transportation industry employees. The district court and Second Circuit agreed, compelling arbitration of the parties’ dispute. The Supreme Court reversed, noting that the Second Circuit has created a transportation-industry requirement without any basis in the text of the statute.

The decision resolves a split among the First and Second Circuits in favor of workers seeking to bring class action claims. In two 2023 cases, Canales v. CK Sales Co. and Fraga v. Premium Retail Servs., Inc., the First Circuit explicitly rejected the Second Circuit’s reading of the Federal Arbitration Act that a worker must be employed in the transportation industry to benefit from the exemption to mandatory arbitration. Instead, the First Circuit focused on the worker’s role instead of the employer’s business, a test that the Supreme Court has now embraced. The Court’s decision follows New Prime, Inc. v. Oliveira (2019) and Southwest Airlines Co. v. Saxon (2023) wherein the Court held the exemption applies to independent contractors and airplane cargo loaders.

Recent Decisions Reflect Critical Questions on Jurisdiction Over Arbitration Disputes

The Supreme Court’s trio of unanimous arbitration decisions outline three areas in which district courts retain jurisdiction over arbitration disputes. The rulings reflect the outer limits of a multi-decade trend in which the Supreme Court has consistently issued arbitration-friendly decisions, encouraging the resolution of arbitrable matters without involving the courts.

It is likely that challenges to arbitrability based on conflicting contracts and transportation work will remain flashpoints in federal court litigation for years to come, with federal courts retaining jurisdiction over disputes referred to arbitration, hearing fewer appeals of orders compelling arbitration, and resolving matters that arise during those proceedings. The decisions serve as reminders to businesses that they should work with experienced counsel to draft and regularly review dispute resolution clauses in consumer and employment contracts to ensure that, if disputes do ultimately arise, they will be resolved via the intended procedure.

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Thank you to firm summer associate Jonathan Tucker for his contribution to this post.

©2024 Pierce Atwood LLP. All rights reserved.
For more on Arbitration, visit the NLR ADR Arbitration Mediation section.

The New Cross-Cultural Playbook for Global Arbitration

Cross-cultural differences and the misunderstandings that often arise from them play a powerful role in how businesses build relationships and conduct their commercial and legal affairs. At a time of expansive growth in transnational business, trade, and investment, a lack of knowledge about local culture, values, and customs in business and legal dealings are leading to ever more complex and tense international legal disputes.

As lawyers and arbitrators, it is critical to foster a deeper understanding of how cultural and emotional factors along with behavioral tendencies impact business decisions and the practice of arbitration worldwide. Addressing these issues in the context of business-to-business (B2B) relationships, a recent report by the International Chamber of Commerce, Jus Connect, and McCann Truth Central found that a new set of principles—based on emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and cultural fluency—is required to create a cross-cultural playbook for arbitration and re-imagining dispute outcomes.

Global leaders surveyed said that arbitration is still the preferred way to resolve cross-border disputes over litigation. If a contract fails, 60% prefer arbitration to legal proceedings in a court. Overall, arbitration has increased significantly over the past decade, reaching an estimated $80 billion in 2022. Some 37,000 new cases were registered between 2018 and 2022, an increase of nearly 30% between 2013 and 2017. While this represents a mere fraction of the $121 trillion in international trade in 2022, arbitration is growing twice as fast as global trade as clients recognize the speed, efficiency, transparency, and flexibility it offers to resolve disputes compared to traditional litigation.

Cultural Miscues

In my travels as President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, I have heard countless stories about the influence of cross-cultural differences on business and legal affairs, including arbitration. And with good reason: every country has unique and often contrasting attitudes about dispute resolution and misunderstanding them can add layers of difficulty during legal proceedings for both general counsel and arbitration lawyers.

Based on extensive interviews and quantitative data, the ICC report divides cultural attitudes and approaches into four generalized categories and suggests which countries fit into each one. The Innovative Explorer, for example, including France and Saudi Arabia, seeks collaboration and co-creation, looks for emotional chemistry, and tends to stretch goals. For their part, India and Nigeria can be seen as a Strategic Balancer, eager for collaboration and co-creation, along with emotional chemistry, and ready to stretch goals.

Brazil and Mexico are among the countries regarded as a Decisive Custodians, in that they tend to value structure and contracts as part of a more direct, yet discrete approach and in addition, prefer working with senior partners. Finally, as the name indicates, the Pragmatic Realist—including the U.K. and Switzerland—takes a reasoned and practical approach, with an appreciation for clear expectations meeting agendas, and giving parties a second chance.

These attitudes are reflected in the different approaches that countries have toward contracts. Some want a clear scope, set in stone. Others put more focus on outcomes and fluidity in delivery. For instance, while Mexico and Brazil prefer structured approaches in contract agreements, India and Saudi Arabia are open to collaboration and co-creation in a scope of work. France and China prefer to stretch sometimes-unrealistic goals, but India and Nigeria, want realistic and achievable ones.

Chameleon U.S.

Digging deeper into the analysis shows that in some ways, the U.S. has a lot in common with Brazil and China when considering the role of hierarchy and discretion in a business situation. If someone in business makes a mistake, Americans prefer to promptly resolve disputes, even if a party might get offended and are also unlikely to copy their boss on an email.

These categories help explain many business decisions and actions and can guide teams to recognize and overcome cultural differences. But they don’t always tell the whole story: cultural nuances add even more complexity to cross-border business and legal dealings.

The U.S., for example, can be described as a chameleon or shapeshifter that doesn’t always neatly fit any descriptor. In my experience, U.S. business representatives will typically revise their approach depending on what the customer or counterparty needs. This flexibility is likely due to the presence of diverse and multicultural U.S. business teams compared to some other countries. As one senior arbitrator said in the report, “In the U.S., the common denominator is understanding what the customer needs.”

Small Behavior, Big Impact

Mapping the world by culture rather than geographic positioning offers valuable insights that can improve cultural fluency and ensure that geography alone does not influence expectations and approaches. The report showed how small behaviors point to larger cultural priorities. Teams from France and Saudi Arabia don’t necessarily need an agenda to attend a meeting, but those from India and Nigeria would usually prefer a detailed agenda. Acknowledging these cultural differences, however small and seemingly inconsequential, provides a framework for anticipating and resolving friction and helping teams adapt.

One of the most interesting aspects of the study is that business teams and leaders say they want lawyers involved earlier in the B2B process—and more deeply integrated into the journey—with a focus on win-win outcomes. This is consistent with the changing role of in-house counsel, particularly in the U.S., where in house counsel work more closely with business teams to develop strategy and structure the deal. Given the growing complexity of today’s global regulatory environment, business teams can no longer negotiate the deal first and then bring the terms to the in-house team to document.

While the study focused on cultural differences, it also found a commonality across cultures: a growing preference for non-legal dispute resolution. Some 77% favored an amicable, interest-based resolution—through internal or contract review, or direct negotiations between legal teams—compared to 52% favoring a rights-based resolution using arbitration or legal proceedings in a court. Only about one-third chose a so-called power-based resolution, such as a canceled contract, a report to a regulator, a post on social media, or a leak to the press.

Key Truths

Understanding the diverse world of business culture reveals several truths about B2B relationships. One is that emotion and culture have a significant impact on business—perhaps more than many realize—because the B2B journey comprises the human experience. Contrary to the commonly held perceptions that B2B interactions are largely transactional or purely functional, and free of emotions, the report found that they are emotionally charged, from initial engagement with parties and contracts to long-term partnerships.

I have experienced this firsthand when representing a multinational company in a very complex arbitration involving the calculation of damages. I needed to prepare the CEO for cross-examination. Yet his analysis was not entirely data-driven decision-making: emotions were also a big part of his thinking. When describing his approach and his meeting with his CEO counterpart, he just kept telling me, “This is so emotional.”

Another truth is that by effectively navigating cultural differences and overcoming communication barriers, we can improve business relationships. In this context, business attitudes toward particulars such as contracts and meeting styles reflect cultural priorities and offer relevant cultural cues. At first, these may appear to be minor details but unveil deeper cultural attitudes concerning hierarchy, orderliness, adaptability, and creativity.

When I was in China earlier this year, I was surprised by the number of back-channel conversations that took place to determine how many people we could bring to a meeting and the level of seniority so that the Chinese delegation would have the same. There were also discussions about attire—including whether men should wear a tie—so that nobody would feel out of place.

Cross-Cultural Playbook

With these truths in mind, a new cross-cultural playbook for global arbitration should include the following actions. First, integrate legal teams as early as possible into the process and keep them engaged via partnerships with business teams. Train teams to understand emotional intelligence and be more culturally aware so they can become more adept at relationship building and managing shifting emotions during the B2B journey. Ensure teams can interpret subtle behavioral and cultural cues to make informed decisions and improve communications. Equally important, prioritize direct negotiation channels for dispute resolution, reserving legal action for failed negotiations.

More than ever, we must emphasize the role of emotion and human interaction in business and how important it is in building trust: the report noted that half of all B2B disputes are likely caused by the breakdown of human interaction rather than solely by contractual issues. With heightened sensitivity to cultural differences, we can better understand the complexities of the B2B journey, minimize business and legal disputes, and successfully apply these truths to resolving conflicts through arbitration.

© Copyright 2024 ICC International Court of Arbitration®
For more on Global Arbitration,  visit the NLR ADR Arbitration Mediation section

Supreme Court Says When It Comes to Deciding Arbitration Clauses: “I Am the Law”

On May 23, the Supreme Court issued a decision holding that when parties have two conflicting contracts – one that sends disputes to arbitration and one that sends disputes to the courts – a court, not an arbitrator, must decide which contract controls. This decision is important as arbitration provisions continue to rise in popularity and situations like the one the Supreme Court encountered are not uncommon.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Coinbase Inc., v. Suski, et. al., stems from a dispute regarding two separate contracts between Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform, and respondents, users of Coinbase. The first contract concerned the Coinbase user agreement, which included an arbitration agreement with a delegation clause. The delegation clause provided that “[a]ll such matters shall be decided by an arbitrator and not by a court or judge.” The second contract concerned the official rules of a sweepstakes Coinbase offered, where respondents entered for a chance to win Dogecoin. The official rules contained a forum selection clause, which provided: “[t]he California courts (state and federal) shall have sole jurisdiction of any controversies regarding the [sweepstakes] promotion and the laws of California shall govern the promotion.” Thus, the arbitration agreement’s delegation clause, which sent all disputes to arbitration, and the official rules’ forum selection clause, which sent all disputes to California courts, provided for different procedural vehicles for disputes.

Respondents brought suit against Coinbase in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California for claims under the Coinbase user agreement and the official rules. Coinbase moved to compel arbitration based on the Coinbase user agreement, and the District Court denied the motion, reasoning that deciding which contract governed was a question for the court. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the District Court’s ruling. The Supreme Court then granted certiorari, and was tasked to decide, when two such contracts exist, who should decide the arbitrability of a contract-related dispute between the parties – an arbitrator or the court?

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, writing for the Supreme Court, began the Court’s analysis by noting that the Supreme Court has “previously addressed three layers of arbitration disputes: (1) merits, (2) arbitrability, and (3) who decides arbitrability. This case involves a fourth: What happens if parties have multiple agreements that conflict as to the third-order question of who decides arbitrability?”. Justice Jackson wrote that “[b]asic legal principles establish the answer. Arbitration is a matter of contract and consent, and we have long held that disputes are subject to arbitration if, and only if, the parties actually agreed to arbitrate those disputes. Here… a court needs to decide what the parties have agreed to.” So, if there is a contract at dispute without an arbitration clause, even if there is another contract that requires arbitration, the matter will need to be decided by a court.

Coinbase argued that the user agreement’s delegation provision should have been isolated and severed from the contract and the Ninth Circuit should have considered only arguments specific to that provision. The Supreme Court, however, rejected this argument, reasoning that if a party challenges the validity of the precise agreement to arbitrate at issue, the federal court must consider the challenge before ordering compliance with that arbitration agreement. The Supreme Court also declined to heed Coinbase’s warning that its ruling would “invite chaos by facilitating challenges to delegation clauses.” To this argument, the Supreme Court replied that such chaos will not follow because disputes with one contract that mandates arbitration will go to arbitration absent a successful challenge, and situations with two contracts – one sending the dispute to arbitration and one sending the dispute to the courts – will be handled by a court.

This is an important decision in the dispute resolution space because it makes clear that even though a company may have an arbitration provision in one contract, that arbitration provision will not necessarily carry the day if there are subsequent contracts that provide for different results. As companies continue to increasingly use arbitration provisions in their contracts, they must be careful to be consistent in any future contracts or agreements.

Copyright ©2024 Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Diving Into SECURE 2.0: Changes for Small Employer Retirement Plans

International arbitration provides a binding, neutral, and consensual process for resolving contractual disputes between parties, often resulting in resolutions that are quicker, cheaper, more private, and more controllable than litigation in a court of law. Accordingly, arbitration for the resolution of international disputes between contracting parties from different legal jurisdictions has emerged as a fundamental method for resolving complex disputes in an ever-increasingly interconnected world. Multinational companies should make sure they stay up to date on the fundamentals of international arbitration, and it all starts with ensuring any arbitration clause included in an international agreement is drafted in a way that is enforceable and provides contracting parties a clear path toward the resolution of their dispute.

Why Should You Care about What Your Arbitration Clause Says?

An arbitration clause is the starting point for determining the parties’ intent in resolving their dispute outside a court of law. It is an independent agreement within the broader contract, likely enforceable even if the remainder of the contract is procured by fraud, and sits at the apex of what a court or arbitrator will look for to determine the parties’ intent with respect to how a dispute between contracting parties should be resolved.

A clear arbitration clause results in a meaningful, enforceable outcome, minimizes the intervention of U.S. or foreign judiciaries in what should be a private dispute resolution process, grants the third-party administrator and/or the arbitrator the powers necessary to resolve the dispute, and is conducted in accordance with procedures that help guarantee a fair, efficient proceeding.

In contrast, if an arbitration clause is ambiguous, there may be a finding that there is no dispute resolution agreement to enforce. This can result in challenges to the arbitration clause’s enforceability and potential litigation in unfavorable and less-than-ideal judicial systems. Of course, such ambiguity and challenges will create higher costs, longer windows of time to resolve disputes, greater risks that your claims in the dispute will be vulnerable to collateral attacks, and other unintended and unexpected consequences.

What Are the Hallmarks of a Clear Arbitration Clause?

For purposes of clarity, you should ensure your contract’s arbitration clause identifies:

  • Applicable Law. Which country’s (or state’s) law applies?
  • Forum and Rules. There are any number of arbitral forums, each with its own nuances in terms of procedure. Knowing the business and potential disputes that could arise will assist in selecting a good fit in terms of applicable rules.
  • Seat of Arbitration. The seat of the arbitration is more than just the place where the final hearing will take place. It provides a significant backbone to the proceeding and is as important as the selection of the forum and applicable rules.
  • Number of Arbitrators. The more arbitrators, the larger the cost, but a three-member tribunal has its place in certain disputes.
  • Language. Selecting the language (or languages) of the arbitration can greatly affect the cost of the proceeding.

Why Does Selecting the Seat of Arbitration Matter?

More than just the physical place where the arbitration will take place, the seat of arbitration is a legal construct that determines the lex arbitri — the procedural law of the arbitration.

Where the contract between the parties or the rules selected by the parties do not provide for certain procedures, the procedural laws of the seat of arbitration will be applied. Among the important aspects of a proceeding that the seat of the arbitration determines is:

  • Which courts will have supervisory jurisdiction over the arbitration;
  • Definitions and form of an agreement to arbitrate;
  • The arbitrability of the dispute;
  • The constitution of the arbitral tribunal and any grounds for challenge;
  • The equality of treatment of the parties;
  • The freedom to agree on detailed rules of procedure;
  • Interim measures of protection and court assistance;
  • Default proceedings;
  • The validity of the arbitration award; and
  • The finality of the arbitration award, including which courts will hear challenges to the award.

If not clearly identified by the parties, the seat of arbitration — and the procedural laws of that seat — will be selected by the arbitral tribunal.

What Do the Rules You Picked Say About Interim Measures?

A major consideration in selecting the applicable arbitral rules is the availability of interim measures. These are measures of relief, which can include injunctive relief, obtained prior to the commencement of, or during, an arbitral proceeding.

One of the most interesting forms of interim measures is an award of security. An interim award of security in arbitration is a payment of an amount of monies (usually tied to damages) pre-hearing for the conservation of, and enforcement of, a judgment so as to not render a judgment in the future a Pyrrhic victory. These securities prevent the dissipation of assets before it is too late to reach those assets. As such, it is an extremely powerful tool, and determining whether the rules you select, and/or the seat of the arbitration, allows for such an interim award should be a key consideration in drafting your arbitration clause.

What Are the Abilities and Liabilities of Third Parties?

Depending on the circumstances, jurisdiction chosen, governing law, and seat of the arbitration, a third party (a non-signatory to the agreement) can compel arbitration and be compelled to arbitration, the latter being the rarer occurrence. Knowing if there is potential exposure to such parties, which can include directors, officers, employees, beneficiaries, and others, should be assessed prior to entering into an arbitration agreement.

On What Basis Are Arbitral Awards Enforceable?

Arbitral awards, because of the adherence by more than 160 countries to the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards (“New York Convention”), are the most enforceable award anywhere in the world. Under the New York Convention:

  • A written agreement to arbitrate, including as contained in a contractual arbitration clause, is generally enforceable.
  • Subject to very narrow exceptions, an arbitral award may be recognized and enforced as a final judgment in each contracting country.

In contrast, no treaty requires that the judgments of a country’s court system be recognized; these enforcement decisions are made on an ad hoc basis according to principles of comity and public policy. The Hague Judgments Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments, a treaty similar to the New York Convention, may become the relevant applicable framework in the future but is still in its infancy.

How Can Legal Counsel Help My Multinational Company Address International Arbitration Issues?

The best way to ensure a reliable and enforceable arbitration agreement is a careful examination of the structure and purpose of the contract as well as the company’s unique business profile based on how and where it does business.

Adequate legal counsel should provide clients with practical guidance in drafting and enforcing international arbitration agreements. Services provided should include:

  • Counseling: Counseling companies to understand how international arbitration clauses apply to their multinational operations, how they may benefit from such clauses, and/or how such clauses may not be in their best interest.
  • Drafting: Working with clients to ensure enforceable and clearly understood arbitration clauses are prepared for the specific contractual relationship, considering the myriad factors that go into preparing such a clause.
  • Risk Assessments: Working with companies to conduct risk assessments in the event of contract disputes with arbitration clauses.
  • Arbitration: Arbitrating before tribunals to secure interim securities and/or enforceable arbitral awards in the event of a contract dispute anywhere in the world.

© 2023 Foley & Lardner LLP

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No More Surprise Medical Bills: Providers Score More Victories in First Year of No Surprises Act Arbitrations, But Claims Backlog Otherwise Complicates Implementation

In the year following the implementation of the arbitration process established under the federal No Surprises Act (NSA), more than 330,000 disputes have been submitted for resolution. This figure far outpaces the predictions of the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury (the Departments), and complicates the implementation of the NSA.

*This is the eighth article in a series analyzing the No Surprises Act and its implementation. To view the entire series, click here.

As background, Congress passed the NSA in 2020, effective in 2022, to curb so-called “surprise” medical bills — balance bills received by patients in situations where they have no control over who is involved in their care. Frequently, patients incur these bills when they obtain emergency care from out-of-network facilities or non-emergency services at in-network facilities where at least one member of the care team is out-of-network. In these situations, the NSA forbids out-of-network providers from balance billing the patients to collect the difference between billed charges and what the patient’s health insurance actually paid. Instead, to protect patients and ensure that reasonable payments are made to providers, the NSA establishes an alternative dispute resolution process, allowing eligible parties to submit disputed claims to independent dispute resolution entities (IDREs) to determine appropriate out-of-network payment rates.

Dispute resolution was intended to be streamlined and efficient, but IDREs have been inundated with submissions in the year since the NSA became effective. The volume of claims has created a significant backlog, hindering providers’ ability to obtain timely and appropriate reimbursement for the services they rendered. In an effort to promote transparency, the Departments recently issued a “status update” on the arbitration process. The report revealed several key findings regarding the volume, eligibility, and outcomes of claims submitted under the NSA to date.

Key Findings of the Status Update Report

First, the report provided insight into the overall numbers of claims that have been filed since the NSA became effective. Since the federal claims submission portal first went live in April 2022, disputing parties have initiated more than 330,000 arbitration submissions. This figure is nearly 14 times greater than the Departments’ initial estimates. The sheer volume of claims has drastically slowed the adjudication of claims submitted under the NSA.

Second, the report states that IDREs have rendered determinations in favor of one party or the other in only a small fraction of cases, with approximately 42,000 disputes decided as of March 31, 2023. Of these, initiating parties (typically health care providers) have prevailed approximately 71% of the time.

Third, to date, IDREs have closed more cases than they have decided. Overall, more than 100,000 claims,  – more than four times the amount anticipated by the Departments, have been closed. There are various reasons for this. Some claims were closed following successful negotiations between the parties. Others were closed due to one or both parties failing to submit the required fees mandated under the NSA. A large number — nearly 40,000 — were closed for eligibility reasons. Non-initiating parties have challenged the eligibility of more than a third of claims submitted for arbitration, balking at approximately 120,000 disputes. Non-initiating parties frequently object that claims are not eligible for arbitration under the NSA for multiple reasons, including lack of timely negotiation or arbitration submission, or because the disputed claims involve insurance programs outside the scope of the NSA.

In addition to the objections lodged by non-initiating parties, the IDREs have an independent duty to confirm that all claims submitted for arbitration are eligible under the NSA. These determinations require IDREs to engage in what can be a complex and time-consuming analysis of each claim, frequently requiring the submission of additional information from the parties. The report finds that these eligibility determinations represent the primary cause for the delays in processing arbitration submissions.

Finally, in an effort to help resolve delays, the status update includes that the Departments have begun to require initiating parties to submit additional information to assist IDREs in evaluating the eligibility of claims. The Departments have also modified the arbitration portal to require the input of additional information to enable non-initiating parties to identify disputed claims. These are among the “ongoing technical and operational improvements” the report states the Departments have been making over the last year.

Looking Ahead: Additional Legislation and Ongoing Court Challenges

The report highlights a series of problems that have hampered the implementation of the NSA, including larger-than-expected dispute volume, complex eligibility determinations, and technical issues. Collectively, these problems have left many parties awaiting arbitration awards and payment.

Meanwhile, the legal challenges to the Departments’ implementing regulations under the NSA continue, and HHS Secretary Xavier Bacerra recently testified before Congress regarding the implementation of the NSA. These developments have fueled speculation that Congress may step in and pass additional legislation to streamline the arbitration process. While these events play out, providers should continue to submit timely open negotiation notices and IDR initiation forms to preserve their rights under the NSA.

A copy of CMS’s report can be found here.

© 2023 ArentFox Schiff LLP

For more Healthcare Legal News, click here to visit the National Law Review.

Mediation vs. Arbitration Provisions in a Contract

All provisions of a contract are relevant, no matter how innocuous they appear to be and no matter how many times you are told that they are “just boilerplate.” Mediation and arbitration provisions often are deemed to fall in the “boilerplate” category, but the impact of these provisions cannot be understated.

Taking a step back, in the event of a dispute between contract counterparties, the underlying contract often provides an avenue for resolution of such dispute, which may require that the parties pursue such matter in court, through arbitration or by other means, including mediation. While most parties are familiar with the concept of litigation, the differences between mediation and arbitration are less well-known. Among the many relevant factors distinguishing between mediation and arbitration, the following three factors should be considered:

  1. Mediation in the United States is non-binding, meaning that a party is not obligated to follow the determination of a mediator. Arbitration, on the other hand, may be binding.

  2. From a timing standpoint, the mediation process is more expeditious, often being completed anywhere from one to three months after the process is initiated, depending upon the complexity of the issues and the parties’ agreements. Arbitration proceedings often last as long as a lawsuit with a formal discovery process and other formalities that commonly would be part of a lawsuit.

  3. From a cost perspective, mediation is more economical, largely due to the speed of the process and less legal formalities. This generally bodes well for the parties if they agree to abide by the determination of the mediator or view such decision as indicative of how an arbitrator or judge ultimately would rule on a matter. But since mediation is non-binding, parties may view this process as an unnecessary delay and waste of resources.

© 2023 Chuhak & Tecson P.C.

For more Business of Law legal news, click here to visit the National Law Review

Non-Negotiable Arbitration Agreements May Be Required as a Condition of Employment

On February 15, 2023, the Ninth Circuit struck down AB 51, a California statute that imposed criminal and civil penalties against employers who required employees to enter into an arbitration agreement as a condition of employment, finding the statute to be an “unacceptable obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full purposes and objectives” of the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”).  Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. v. Bonta, et al., No. 20-15291 (9th Cir. 2023).

As discussed in our prior post and articles (link here), in August 2022 the Ninth Circuit withdrew its prior decision, which had upheld portions of AB 51, following the United States Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision in Viking River Cruises v. Moriana.

AB 51, embodied in California Labor Code §432.6 effective January 1, 2020, prohibited an employer from entering into a non-negotiable agreement that required the employee to waive “any right, forum, or procedure” for a violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act or the California Labor Code, including “the right to file and pursue a civil action.”  Further, AB 51 imposed harsh penalties for employers who violated the statute, including a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months’ imprisonment, as well as the potential for civil litigation by the State of California or by private individuals.  In an effort to avoid Supreme Court decisions striking down state laws that improperly targeted arbitration agreements, the California legislature also created the confusing outcome that potentially criminalized the formation of non-negotiable arbitration agreements, but permitted their enforcement once executed.

Noting that arbitration agreements by their very nature require parties to waive their rights to bring disputes in court, and crediting the plaintiffs’ evidence that the possible imposition of civil and criminal penalties deterred employers from attempting to enter into non-negotiable agreements with employees, the court affirmed the district court’s preliminary injunction in favor of several trade associations and business groups who sought to block the implementation of the statute.  Relying on principles of preemption and judicial precedent striking down similar state laws or judge-made rules that singled out executed arbitration agreements, the Court found AB 51 improperly “burden[s]” the formation of arbitration agreements in violation of the FAA.

Having written the previous 2-1 decision upholding AB 51, Judge Lucero now found himself dissenting.  Arguing that the majority “misconstrue[d] the jurisprudence” of the Supreme Court, the dissent claimed that arbitration was permissible only if consensual and that AB 51 only applied to conduct occurring prior to the formation of the contract and thus was not an obstacle to the objectives of the FAA.

Employers may require their California employees to sign non-negotiable arbitration agreements to obtain or maintain their employment.  Arbitration agreements may still be unenforceable however if they are procedurally and substantively unconscionable, if the agreement lacks mutual consent because a party was forced to sign by threats or physical coercion or “upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract.”  Thus, employers should review their agreements to ensure they are in compliance with other California requirements, that the terms are not unfair or one-sided, and, the agreement presented is not unfair, surprising or oppressive.

Article By Sheryl L. Skibbe of Vedder Price

For more arbitration legal news, click here to visit the National Law Review.

© 2023 Vedder Price