When two parties agree to arbitrate, the obvious hope of the prevailing party is that the losing party will voluntarily comply with the arbitrator’s decision. This article is directed towards the situation in which the losing party refuses to so comply, and the prevailing party must petition the appropriate court system to “enforce” the arbitrator’s award.
Until confirmation, modification, or correction by a court of competent jurisdiction, an arbitration award is unenforceable under the law. The process for enforcing an arbitration award in Louisiana depends on whether the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) or the Louisiana Binding Arbitration Law (“BAL”) applies.[1]
CONFIRMING ARBITRATION AWARDS
Whichever law applies, a party wishing to confirm an arbitration award must file a proceeding requesting confirmation of the award in a court of competent jurisdiction within one year of the award’s issuance.[2] While this one-year period is mandatory under the BAL, the federal courts of appeals are split on whether the same period is mandatory under the FAA. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which is the appellate court of federal jurisdiction over Louisiana, has implied that the one year limitations period is mandatory.[3]
In federal court, the FAA requires a party to begin the process of confirming an arbitration award by filing (and serving) either a petition or motion to confirm in the appropriate federal district court.[4] Unlike the BAL, however, the FAA does not create independent subject matter jurisdiction, so the applicant must show that the federal district court has original subject matter jurisdiction over the dispute.[5] The federal court has personal jurisdiction over the necessary parties once a party serves notice of the confirmation application on all parties.[6]
In both federal and state court, the confirmation of an arbitration award is a summary proceeding.[7] The appropriate court will confirm the arbitration award (by granting the applicant’s motion) if no party challenges the enforcement of the award, and the court finds no grounds for vacating, modifying, or correcting the award.[8] The court enters judgment on the award, which has the same force and effect as an ordinary judgment.[9]
VACATING, MODIFYING, OR CORRECTING AN ARBITRATION AWARD
Both the FAA and the BAL permit a party to challenge or request vacation, modification, or correction of an arbitration award.[10] A notice of a motion to vacate, modify, or correct an arbitration award must be served upon the adverse party within three months after the award is issued.[11] The grounds upon which an arbitration award can be changed or overturned are narrow and well-defined. Practically, this makes it very rare and difficult to alter an arbitration award.
Because arbitration is favored, both federal and state courts presume that an arbitration award is valid. Under the FAA and BAL, a court has authority to vacate an award only upon the following grounds:
- where the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or undue means;
- where there was evident partiality or corruption in the arbitrators, or either of them;
- where the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in refusing to postpone the hearing, upon sufficient cause shown, or in refusing to hear evidence pertinent and material to the controversy; or of any other misbehavior by which the rights of any party have been prejudiced; or
- where the arbitrators exceeded their powers, or so imperfectly executed them that a mutual, final, and definite award upon the subject matter submitted was not made.[12]
The FAA and BAL also limit a court’s authority to modify or correct an arbitration award. An award can be modified or corrected only:
- Where there was an evident material miscalculation of figures or an evident material mistake in the description of any person, thing, or property referred to in the award.
- Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to them, unless it is a matter not affecting the merits of the decision upon the matter submitted.
- Where the award is imperfect in matter of form not affecting the merits of the controversy.[13]
If one of these two grounds apply, the courts will modify or correct arbitration awards “so as to effect the intent thereof and promote justice between the parties.”[14]
AWARDS AND ORDERS SUBJECT TO APPEAL
Both the FAA and the BAL permit the appeal of certain arbitration orders, including any order confirming, modifying, correcting, or vacating an award.[15] Under the BAL, a party appeals from an arbitration order or judgment entered on an award in the same manner as a party appeals from an ordinary order or judgment.[16] The federal courts and Louisiana appellate courts review a trial court’s confirmation of an arbitration award de novo.[17]
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[1] Chapter 1 of the FAA governs domestic arbitrations and applies to maritime disputes and contracts “involving commerce.” 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16. The BAL governs arbitration in Louisiana, unless preempted by the FAA. La. R.S. §§ 9:4201-9:4271.
[2] 9 U.S.C. § 9; La. R.S. 9:4209.
[3] Bernstein Seawell & Kove v. Bosarge, 813 F.2d 726, 731 (5th Cir. 1987) (noting the complaint to enforce the arbitration award was filed within one year “As required by 9 U.S.C. § 9”).
[4] If the arbitration agreement does not specify the particular court, the party applying for confirmation of the award may file in any court in the district where the award was issued. 9 U.S.C. § 9.
[5] Vaden v. Discover Bank, 556 U.S. 49 (2009).
[6] 9 U.S.C. § 9.
[7] Id.; La. R.S. § 9:4209; see also Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital v. Mercury Construction Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 22-23 (1983).
[8] 9 U.S.C. §§ 10-11; La. R.S. §§ 9:4205 and 9:4209.
[9] 9 U.S.C. § 13; La. R.S. § 9:4214.
[10] 9 U.S.C. § 11; La. R.S. § 9:4211.
[11] 9 U.S.C. § 12; La. R.S. § 9:4213.
[12] 9 U.S.C. § 10; La. R.S. § 9:4210.
[13] 9 U.S.C. § 11; La. R.S. § 9:4211.
[14] Id.; Gilbert v. Robert Angel Builder, Inc., 45,184 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/14/10); 24 So. 3d 1109, 1113.
[15] La. R.S. § 9:4215; 9 U.S.C. § 16.
[16] La. R.S. § 9:4215.
[17] NCO Portfolio Mgmt., Inc. v. Walker, 08-1011 (La. App. 3 Cir. 2/4/09); 3 So. 3d 628, 632; Sarofim v. Trust Company of the West, 440 F.3d 213 (5th Cir. 2006)