Drafting the “perfect” arbitration agreement Clear and precise language. Clarity and brevity are key to avoiding an unenforceable arbitration clause and the costs and delays that follow. Scope. Seat of arbitration. Governing law. Arbitral Rules. Language. Arbitrators. Other common issues.
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.
Even if you have opted out of an arbitration agreement, you can often change your mind at a later date, and decide you want to arbitrate. But, if you have signed an arbitration clause, you generally may not change your mind and decide later that you want to avoid 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.
However, if a plaintiff unwittingly entered into an arbitration agreement due to coercion or deception, or if the terms of the arbitration agreement undermine the plaintiff's ability to vindicate their rights, courts can and sometimes do step in and invalidate the contract.
If the arbitration agreement is claimed to be invalid based on reasons such as error, fraud, or threat, the validity of the arbitration agreement will be governed by the law chosen by the parties, and in the absence of a choice of law, the law of the place of arbitration applied.
The Court held that the remedy of arbitration is the creature of a contract and the same cannot be utilised in absence of a written agreement between the parties as provided under Section 7 of the A&C Act.
If the contract doesn't provide a way to opt out of the arbitration agreement, then tell the other party you don't want to agree to the arbitration clause. Ask them if they will allow you to sign the contract without the arbitration clause.
Example 1. Arbitration. All claims and disputes arising under or relating to this Agreement are to be settled by binding arbitration in the state of insert state in which parties agree to arbitrate or another location mutually agreeable to the parties.