Arkansas Uniform Arbitration Act

Table of Contents

Arkansas Uniform Arbitration Act
Chapter 108. Arbitration and Award
§ 16-108-201. Agreement to arbitrate--Application
§ 16-108-202. Proceedings to compel or stay arbitration
§ 16-108-203. Appointment of arbitrators by court
§ 16-108-204. Majority action by arbitrators
§ 16-108-205. Hearing
§ 16-108-206. Representation by attorney
§ 16-108-207. Witnesses, subpoenas, depositions
§ 16-108-208. Award
§ 16-108-209. Change of award by arbitrators
§ 16-108-210. Fees and expenses of arbitration
§ 16-108-211. Confirmation of an award
§ 16-108-212. Vacating an award
§ 16-108-213. Modification or correction of award
§ 16-108-214. Judgment or decree on award
§ 16-108-215. Judgment roll; docketing
§ 16-108-216. Applications to court
§ 16-108-217. Court--Jurisdiction
§ 16-108-218. Venue
§ 16-108-219. Appeals
§ 16-108-220. Not retroactive
§ 16-108-221. Uniformity of interpretation
§ 16-108-222. Constitutionality
§ 16-108-223. Short title
§ 16-108-224. Repeal

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Arkansas Uniform Arbitration Act

Title 16. Practice, Procedure, and Courts
Subtitle 7. Particular Proceedings and Remedies (Chapters 105 to 126)

Chapter 108. Arbitration and Award
§ 16-108-201. Agreement to arbitrate--Application
(a) A written agreement to submit any existing controversy to arbitration arising between the
parties bound by the terms of the writing is valid, enforceable, and irrevocable, save upon such grounds as exist for the revocation of any contract.
(b)(1) A written provision to submit to arbitration any controversy thereafter arising between the parties bound by the terms of the writing is valid, enforceable, and irrevocable, save upon such grounds as exist for the revocation of any contract.
(2) This subsection shall have no application to personal injury or tort matters, employer-employee disputes, nor to any insured or beneficiary under any insurance policy or annuity contract.

§ 16-108-202. Proceedings to compel or stay arbitration
(a) On application of a party showing an agreement described in § 16-108- 201 and the opposing party's refusal to arbitrate, the court shall order the parties to proceed with arbitration, but if the opposing party denies the existence of the agreement to arbitrate, the court shall proceed summarily to the determination of the issue so raised and shall order arbitration if found for the moving party; otherwise, the application shall be denied.
(b) On application, the court may stay an arbitration proceeding commenced or threatened on a showing that there is no agreement to arbitrate. Such an issue, when in substantial and bona fide dispute, shall be forthwith and summarily tried and the stay ordered if found for the moving party. If found for the opposing party, the court shall order the parties to proceed to arbitration.
(c) If an issue referable to arbitration under the alleged agreement is involved in an action or proceeding pending in a court having jurisdiction to hear applications under subdivision (a) of this section, the application shall be made therein. Otherwise, and subject to § 16-108-218, the application may be made in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(d) Any action or proceeding involving an issue subject to arbitration shall be stayed if an order for arbitration or an application therefor has been made under this section, or, if the issue is severable, the stay may be with respect thereto only. When the application is made in the action or proceeding, the order for arbitration shall include the stay.
(e) An order for arbitration shall not be refused on the ground that the claim in issue lacks merit or bona fides or because any fault or grounds for the claim sought to be arbitrated have not been shown.

§ 16-108-203. Appointment of arbitrators by court
If the arbitration agreement provides a method of appointment of arbitrators, this method shall be followed. In the absence thereof, or if the agreed method fails or for any reason cannot be followed, or when an arbitrator appointed fails or is unable to act and his successor has not been duly appointed, the court on application of a party shall appoint one (1) or more arbitrators. An arbitrator so appointed has all the powers of one specifically named in the agreement.

§ 16-108-204. Majority action by arbitrators
The powers of the arbitrators may be exercised by a majority unless otherwise provided by the agreement or by this subchapter.

§ 16-108-205. Hearing
Unless otherwise provided by the agreement:
(1) The arbitrators shall appoint a time and place for the hearing and cause notification to the parties to be served personally or by registered mail not less than five (5) days before the hearing. Appearance at the hearing waives notice. The arbitrators may adjourn the hearing from time to time as necessary and, on request of a party and for good cause, or upon their own motion, may postpone the hearing to a time not later than the date fixed by the agreement for making the award unless the parties consent to a later date. The arbitrators may hear and determine the controversy upon the evidence produced notwithstanding the failure of a party duly notified to appear. The court on application may direct the arbitrators to proceed promptly with the hearing and determination of the controversy;
(2) The parties are entitled to be heard, to present evidence material to the controversy, and to cross-examine witnesses appearing at the hearing;
(3) The hearing shall be conducted by all the arbitrators, but a majority may determine any question and render a final award. If, during the course of the hearing, an arbitrator for any reason ceases to act, the remaining arbitrator or arbitrators appointed to act as neutrals may continue with the hearing and determination of the controversy.

§ 16-108-206. Representation by attorney
A party has the right to be represented by an attorney at any proceeding or hearing under this subchapter. A waiver thereof prior to the proceeding or hearing is ineffective.

§ 16-108-207. Witnesses, subpoenas, depositions
(a) The arbitrators may issue or cause to be issued subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of books, records, documents, and other evidence, and shall have the power to administer oaths. Subpoenas so issued shall be served, and upon application to the court by a party or the arbitrators, enforced, in the manner provided by law for the service and enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action.
(b) On application of a party and for use as evidence, the arbitrators may permit a deposition to be taken, in the manner and upon the terms designated by the arbitrators, of a witness who cannot be subpoenaed or is unable to attend the hearing.
(c) All provisions of law compelling a person under subpoena to testify are applicable.
(d) Fees for attendance as a witness shall be the same as for a witness in the circuit court.

§ 16-108-208. Award
(a) The award shall be in writing and signed by the arbitrators joining in the award. The arbitrators shall deliver a copy to each party personally or by registered mail, or as provided in the agreement.
(b) An award shall be made within the time fixed therefor by the agreement or, if not so fixed, within such time as the court orders on application of a party. The parties may extend the time in writing either before or after the expiration thereof. A party waives the objection that an award was not made within the time required unless he or she notifies the arbitrators of his or her objection prior to the delivery of the award to him or her.

§ 16-108-209. Change of award by arbitrators
On application of a party or, if an application to the court is pending under §§ 16-108-211 -- 16-108-213, on submission to the arbitrators by the court under such conditions as the court may order, the arbitrators may modify or correct the award upon the grounds stated in § 16-108-213(a)(1) and (3) or for the purpose of clarifying the award. The application shall be made within twenty (20) days after delivery of the award to the applicant. Written notice thereof shall be given forthwith to the opposing party, stating that he or she must serve his objections thereto, if any, within ten (10) days from the notice. The award so modified or corrected is subject to the provisions of §§ 16-108-211 -- 16-108-213.

§ 16-108-210. Fees and expenses of arbitration
Unless otherwise provided in the agreement to arbitrate, the arbitrators' expenses and fees, together with other expenses incurred in the conduct of the arbitration, not including counsel fees, shall be paid as provided in the award.

§ 16-108-211. Confirmation of an award
Upon application of a party, the court shall confirm an award, unless within the time limits hereinafter imposed grounds are urged for vacating, modifying, or correcting the award, in which case the court shall proceed as provided in §§ 16-108-212 and 16-108-213.

§ 16-108-212. Vacating an award
(a) Upon application of a party, the court shall vacate an award in which:
(1) The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means;
(2) There was evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral or corruption in any of the arbitrators or misconduct prejudicing the rights of any party;
(3) The arbitrators exceeded their powers;
(4) The arbitrators refused to postpone the hearing upon sufficient cause being shown therefor or refused to hear evidence material to the controversy or otherwise so conducted the hearing, contrary to the provisions of § 16-108- 205, as to prejudice substantially the rights of a party; or
(5)(A) There was no arbitration agreement and the issue was not adversely determined in proceedings under § 16-108-202 and the party did not participate in the arbitration hearing without raising the objection;
(B) But the fact that the relief was such that it could not or would not be granted by a court is not ground for vacating or refusing to confirm the award.
(b) An application under this section shall be made within ninety (90) days after delivery of a copy of the award to the applicant, except that, if predicated upon corruption, fraud, or other undue means, it shall be made within ninety (90) days after such grounds are known or should have been known.
(c) In vacating the award on grounds other than those stated in subdivision (a)(5) of this section, the court may order a rehearing before new arbitrators chosen as provided in the agreement, or in the absence thereof, by the court in accordance with § 16-108-203, or, if the award is vacated on grounds set forth in subdivisions (a)(3) and (4) of this section, the court may order a rehearing before the arbitrators who made the award or their successors appointed in accordance with § 16-108-203. The time within which the agreement requires the award to be made is applicable to the rehearing and commences from the date of the order.
(d) If the application to vacate is denied and no motion to modify or correct the award is pending, the court shall confirm the award.

§ 16-108-213. Modification or correction of award
(a) Upon application made within ninety (90) days after delivery of a copy of the award to the applicant, the court shall modify or correct the award where:
(1) There was an evident miscalculation of figures or an evident mistake in the description of any person, thing, or property referred to in the award;
(2) The arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to them and the award may be corrected without affecting the merits of the decision upon the issues submitted; or
(3) The award is imperfect in a matter of form not affecting the merits of the controversy.
(b) If the application is granted, the court shall modify and correct the award so as to effect its intent and shall confirm the award as so modified and corrected. Otherwise, the court shall confirm the award as made.
(c) An application to modify or correct an award may be joined in the alternative with an application to vacate the award.

§ 16-108-214. Judgment or decree on award
Upon the granting of an order confirming, modifying, or correcting an award, a judgment or decree shall be entered in conformity therewith and be enforced as any other judgment or decree. 

Costs of the application and of the proceedings subsequent thereto, and disbursements, may be awarded by the court.

§ 16-108-215. Judgment roll; docketing
(a) On entry of judgment or decree, the clerk shall prepare the judgment roll consisting, to the extent filed, of the following:
(1) The agreement and each written extension of the time within which to make the award;
(2) The award;
(3) A copy of the order confirming, modifying, or correcting the award; and
(4) A copy of the judgment or decree.
(b) The judgment or decree may be docketed as if rendered in an action.

§ 16-108-216. Applications to court
Except as otherwise provided, an application to the court under this subchapter shall be by motion and shall be heard in the manner and upon the notice provided by law or rule of court for the making and hearing of motions. Unless the parties have agreed otherwise, notice of an initial application for an order shall be served in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons in an action.

§ 16-108-217. Court--Jurisdiction
The term "court" means any circuit court of this state. The making of an agreement described in § 16-108-201 providing for arbitration in this state confers jurisdiction on the court to enforce the agreement under this subchapter and to enter judgment on an award thereunder.

§ 16-108-218. Venue
An initial application shall be made to the circuit court of the county in which the agreement provides the arbitration hearing shall be held or, if the hearing has been held, in the county in which it was held. Otherwise, the application shall be made in the county where the adverse party resides or has a place of business or, if he or she has no residence or place of business in this state, to the court of any county. All subsequent applications shall be made to the court hearing the initial application unless the court otherwise directs.

§ 16-108-219. Appeals
(a) An appeal may be taken from:
(1) An order denying an application to compel arbitration made under § 16- 108-202;
(2) An order granting an application to stay arbitration made under § 16- 108-202(b);
(3) An order confirming or denying confirmation of an award;
(4) An order modifying or correcting an award;
(5) An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing; or
(6) A judgment or decree entered pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter.
(b) The appeal shall be taken in the manner and to the same extent as from orders or judgments in a civil action.

§ 16-108-220. Not retroactive
This subchapter applies only to agreements made subsequent to its taking effect.

§ 16-108-221. Uniformity of interpretation
This subchapter shall be so construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it.

§ 16-108-222. Constitutionality
If any provision of this subchapter, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the subchapter which can be given without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this subchapter are severable.

§ 16-108-223. Short title
This subchapter may be cited as the "Uniform Arbitration Act."

§ 16-108-224. Repeal
All acts or parts of acts which are inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter are hereby repealed.

Current through 2006 First Extraordinary Session of the 85th General Assembly, including
changes made by the Arkansas code Revision Commission as a result of the 2006 First
Extraordinary Session.
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