Validity of Arbitration Agreements Under Section 171.001 of the TAA, written agreements to arbitrate are generally valid and enforceable in Texas. This section ensures that, barring any specific legal exceptions, parties bound by a written agreement to arbitrate must settle their disputes outside of court.
How do I choose arbitration? All parties must agree to arbitration and complete and sign DWC Form-044, Election to Engage in Arbitration. There is a deadline. The completed form must be filed with DWC by the 20th day after the benefit review conference.
A claimant will typically start arbitration by sending a document known as a “request for arbitration” or a “notice to arbitrate” to its opponent.
On average, Texas arbitration takes 4–8 months from initiation to resolution. By comparison, litigation in state or federal courts may take years. Understanding arbitration's timeline can help you make informed decisions and shape your expectations from filing to resolution.
However, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that an employer can simply notify at-will employees of the details of an arbitration program it is adopting, and the employees can be bound to that arbitration program by continuing their employment, even if they never sign anything.
A Texas court that has jurisdiction over the parties and the dispute may enforce an arbitration agreement and render judgment on the award (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.
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.
At arbitration, the arbitrator will listen as the parties offer evidence about the issues. Witnesses will answer questions under oath, and each party will explain its side of the case. After the arbitration, the arbitrator will review the evidence and make a decision (enter an award) on each issue.
Arbitration agreements are generally enforceable in all 50 states; particularly in commercial settings between sophisticated parties. However, courts in many states are hostile to “fine print” arbitration agreements, particularly between employers and employees.