Should you sign an arbitration agreement? If you agree to engage in a possible future arbitration voluntarily, mutually determine the ground rules of arbitration and agree to choose an impartial arbitrator together, you are likely to find arbitration to be not only inexpensive and fast but also fair.
Usually such agreements provide that you have no right to go outside the arbitration system and present your claims to the public courts. In forced arbitration situations, your job may depend on accepting such a provision: your only other choice is to not take the job.
While you technically have the choice not to sign an arbitration agreement that appears to be skewed more to your employer's benefit, the employer can simply rescind its offer of employment if you refuse to sign.
As a general rule, only strong evidence of duress or fraud are sufficient to invalidate an arbitration clause. It is worth noting that many state courts will to set aside arbitration agreements where the parties have vastly disparate bargaining power (such as between employers and employees).
Arbitration. The arbitration system in Allegheny County is compulsory non-binding arbitration with a ceiling of $50,000 on civil damage awards.
In other words, a party's right to refer a dispute to arbitration depends on the existence of an agreement (the “arbitration agreement”) between them and the other parties to the dispute that the dispute may be referred to arbitration.
Some contracts give you the right to opt out of the forced arbitration clause within a certain period of time, often 30 to 60 days, after signing the agreement by notifying the company that you wish to opt out. Check your contract for the deadline and for specific instructions for opting out.
If neither party appeals the decision, it will be binding, like an order by a judge. However, a party unhappy with the arbitrator's decision can request a new trial before a judge.
Top 10 tips for drafting arbitration agreements Introduction. Scope of the arbitration agreement. Seat of the arbitration. Governing law of the arbitration agreement. Choice of rules. Language. Number and appointment of arbitrators. Specifying arbitrator characteristics.
A claimant will typically start arbitration by sending a document known as a “request for arbitration” or a “notice to arbitrate” to its opponent.