Yes. Arbitration is a matter of contract and the existence of an agreement between the parties is what accords the arbitration process its special stature. The U.S. Supreme Court has said that the purpose of the Federal Arbitration Act, (FAA), was to put agreements to arbitrate on the same footing as other contracts and susceptible to amendment or modification like any other.[1] Therefore, parties could amend the contract, (consistent with its provisions), and agree to substitute as their ADR choice the provisions of CPRC Sec. 151 et seq. The parties may also amend an arbitration clause with a Rule 11 agreement, provided the underlying contract would not prohibit modification in such fashion.[2] One thing to consider in such amendment is that an arbitration clause is… read more →
Well, the term seemed to the legislature less ethically offensive than “rent-a-judge”, which is another way to reference the concept. Actually, to serve as a special judge under Chapter 151, CPRC, the judge, (former or retired), must have; (1) served as a judge for at least 4 years in a district court, statutory county court, statutory probate court, or appellate court; (2) developed substantial experience in the judge’s area of specialty; (3) not been removed from office or resigned while under investigation for discipline or removal and (4) annually demonstrated completion in the past calendar year of at least 5 days of continuing legal education in courses approved by the state bar or the supreme court.[1] Whether that makes them “special” is a matter of… read more →
PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL: “We offer these 5 affidavits of witnesses whose testimony contained therein support all of the allegations in our complaint.” ARBITRATOR: “Any response from Defendants?” DEFENDANT’S COUNSEL: “We object, the affidavits are hearsay.” ARBITRATOR: “What is Plaintiff’s response to the objection?” PLAINTIFF’S COUNSEL: “This is an arbitration proceeding.” ARBITRATOR: “Objection overruled. The affidavits are admitted for all purposes.” Ok, maybe this is an exaggeration but not by much. The Alternative Chapter 151 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code, (CPRC Sec. 151.001 et seq.), entitled “Trial By Special Judge”, was passed in 1987 and provided a protocol for private trials of civil or family matters pending in a district court, statutory probate court, or statutory county court.[1] It consists of merely 13 sections… read more →
GC: “Boss, I got bad news and worse news.” CEO: “What the hell is it?” GC: “The arbitrator issued an award against us of 20 million dollars” CEO: “What? That’s preposterous, outrageous. Damn it to hell, we will appeal all the way to the supreme court if necessary” GC: “Well, boss, about that appeal… “ Be careful what you wish for. Prompted by what some considered to be “runaway” jury verdicts, commercial transactions began to include in their standard documentation, an agreement to use arbitration to resolve any disputes that might arise. The thought was that reposing such decisions to an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators would take the emotion and uncertainty of a jury trial out of play leading to more predictable results. After… read more →
