Under California law, an employer can require its employees to agree to arbitration as a term of employment. However, if the agreement has too many unfair or biased conditions, courts may refuse to enforce the arbitration agreement or chop off the unfair terms.
The arbitrator will explain the process. Each side may present an uninterrupted opening statement setting forth its position as to the facts and the law. After opening statements, the parties present their evidence and witnesses. The arbitrator swears in the witnesses and makes rulings on the admissibility of evidence.
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.
But two unspoken reasons are also driving the trend toward arbitration. First is the fact that arbitration results tend to favor employers over employees. There are lots of institutional reasons for this bias, starting with the fact that the corporation is responsible for actually paying the fees for the arbitrator.
Resolving disputes through arbitration, rather than litigation, benefits consumers, employees, and businesses–the only ones that do not benefit from arbitration are plaintiffs' lawyers.
In most cases, the party that started the arbitration initially by filing a claim will present their case first and the opposing party will then have an opportunity to present their defense, but the arbitrator will ultimately decide the order.
Arguments should flow easily from the relevant facts and applicable law. Avoid exaggerating the strengths of your case as well as disparaging the opposing side. Remember that professionalism and credibility are critical to persuasiveness.
California law permits employers not to hire you if you refuse to sign an arbitration agreement. An arbitration agreement is where you waive your right to sue in the event of a dispute.
To further complicate matters, new laws set to take effect in 2025 will reshape arbitration in California. SB 365 will allow cases to proceed through the trial process even where a party appeals an order denying a petition to compel arbitration.
In some instances, you may be able to sue if you signed a valid arbitration agreement. While courts generally favor arbitration agreements, they will allow you to file a lawsuit if either you didn't understand your rights or your claims fall outside the arbitration provision's scope.