Month: May 2017

Arbitration, Federal Arbitration Act: SCOTUS Rules in Kindred Nursing Centers Case That Kentucky’s “Clear-Statement Rule” Violates The FAA By Singling Out Arbitration For Disfavored Treatment

The Decision Was Not A Surprise.     Kindred Nursing Centers L.P v. Clark, No. 16-32 (US S.Ct.  5/15/17) (Kagan, J.) holds that Kentucky's "clear-statement rule" violates the Federal Arbitration Act by singling out arbitration agreements for disfavored treatment.  Kentucky's "clear-statement rule" provides that, because the Kentucky constitution declares rights of access to the courts and […]

Arbitration: Employment, Public Policy, Standard Of Review: Court Of Appeal Rejects Contentions That Arbitrator Exceeded Powers By Issuing Award In Violation Of California Public Policy

  The King vs. Medieval Knights . . .      Plaintiff Scott Ehredt, a performer in medieval style games at Medieval Knights, sued claiming that Medieval Knights had misappropriated his likeness in advertising images, notwithstanding a release that he had provided.  The matter was arbitrated, and after receiving an adverse award, Mr. Ehredt appealed. Ehredt […]

Arbitration/Administrative: Ruling of Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Is Annulled Because Rescission Issue Remained “Factually Open And Unresolved”

Arbitrator And Appeals Board Did Not Address Whether Rescission Was A Meritorious Defense To Employee's Claim.     Southern Insurance Company rescinded an insurance policy based on violation of a representation that covered employer's employees did not travel out of state, after an employee injured out of state made a workers' comp claim. The matter […]

Mediation/Settlement Agreement: Court Enforces “Short Form” Settlement Agreement Over Objections Of Petitioner

The Neighbor Feud Had Gone On Since 2002.        Wandering Elk, Dakota Indian, smokes peacepipe. c1903. Frank Bennett Fiske, photographer.  Library of Congress.      The Court of Appeals' reliance on the wisdom of a Croatian proverb offered a strong clue in the first sentence that the Court would enforce peace among feuding […]