Arbitration agreements require that persons who signed them resolve any disputes by binding arbitration, rather than in court before a judge and/or jury. What is binding arbitration? Binding arbitration involves the submission of a dispute to a neutral party who hears the case and makes a decision.
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.
The pure “costs follow the event” rule (the loser pays all costs and fees). The pro rata “costs follow the event” rule (the loser pays costs and fees in proportion with the outcome). The parties share costs and fees equally, or share costs equally with fees borne by each side.
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.
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.
Unlike litigation, arbitration must be specifically chosen by parties as a dispute resolution mechanism. This choice can be set out in a separate arbitration agreement once a dispute has arisen or, more commonly, incorporated into the underlying commercial agreement by the inclusion of an arbitration clause.
Arbitration agreements require that persons who signed them resolve any disputes by binding arbitration, rather than in court before a judge and/or jury. What is binding arbitration? Binding arbitration involves the submission of a dispute to a neutral party who hears the case and makes a decision.
Without a valid arbitration agreement, no arbitration can take place or award can be rendered. In other words, a valid arbitration agreement is the cornerstone of any arbitration proceedings. Townsend, J.M., Drafting Arbitration Clauses: Avoiding the 7 Deadly Sins, Dispute Resolution Journal, 2003, p. 1.
Choosing to Arbitrate So, when faced with disputes, parties can in almost all instances, agree to submit their disputes to arbitration, even when an arbitration clause was not included in the underlying contract, if any. Existing litigation can be moved to arbitration by the agreement of the parties.
Under English law, a non-party to a contract incorporating an arbitration agreement cannot compel a party to arbitrate disputes relating to the contract.