SUPERIOR COURT OF SPOKANE COUNTY LOCAL COURT RULES

Transcription

1 SUPERIOR COURT OF SPOKANE COUNTY LOCAL COURT RULES II. Local Mandatory Arbitration Rules (LMAR) 1. Scope and Purpose of Rules LMAR 1.1 Application of Rules-Purpose and Definitions LMAR 1.2 Matters Subject to Arbitration LMAR 1.3 (Deleted) 2. Transfer to Arbitration and Assignment of Arbitrator LMAR 2.1 Transfer to Arbitration LMAR 2.3 Assignment to Arbitrator 3. Arbitrators LMAR 3.1 Qualifications LMAR 3.2 Authority of Arbitrators 4. Procedures After Assignment LMAR 4.2 Discovery 5. Hearing LMAR 5.1 Notice of Hearing-Time and Place-Continuance LMAR 5.2 Prehearing Statement of Proof-Documents Filed With Court LMAR 5.3 (Deleted) 6. Award LMAR 6.1 Form and Content of Award LMAR 6.2 Filing of Award LMAR 6.3 Judgment on Award 7. Trial De Novo LMAR 7.1 Request for Trial De Novo LMAR 7.2 (Deleted) LMAR 7.3 (Deleted) 8. General Provisions LMAR 8.1 Stipulations-Effect on Relief Granted LMAR 8.3 [Deleted] LMAR 8.4 Title and Citation LMAR 8.5 Compensation of Arbitrator LMAR 8.6 Administration

2 LMAR 1.1 APPLICATION OF RULES-PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS The purpose of mandatory arbitration of civil actions under RCW 7.06 as implemented by the Mandatory Arbitration Rules is to provide a simplified and economical procedure for obtaining the prompt and equitable resolution of disputes involving claims of $100,000 or less. The Mandatory Arbitration Rules as supplemented by these local rules are not designed to address every question which may arise during the arbitration process, and the rules give considerable discretion to the arbitrator. The arbitrator should not hesitate to be informal and expeditious, consistent with the purpose of the statute and rules. LMAR 1.2 MATTERS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION By implementation of these rules the Superior Court of Washington for Spokane County authorizes mandatory arbitration under RCW , and approves such arbitrations in civil actions in which no party asserts a claim in excess of $100,000 exclusive of interest and costs under RCW as amended. [DELETED] LMAR 1.3

3 LMAR 2.1 TRANSFER TO ARBITRATION (a) Statement of Arbitrability. The party filing a statement of arbitrability shall do so no later than the date set forth in the Case Schedule Order using such form(s) as approved by the Court. A conformed copy shall be provided to the court administrator. If any party objects to the matter being submitted for mandatory arbitration, said objection shall be filed within 5 days of receipt of the Statement of Arbitrability and shall be noted for hearing pursuant to LCR 40(b) before the assigned judge, or if unassigned, to the presiding judge. The party objecting to the statement of arbitrability shall provide a copy of such to the court administrator. (b) By Stipulation. After the answer has been filed, the parties may stipulate to mandatory arbitration using a Stipulation for Arbitration form approved by the court. Stipulated cases will be placed on the arbitration calendar regardless of the nature of the case or amount in controversy (see LMAR 8.1). (c) Limitations. For cases where a Case Schedule Order has been entered pursuant to LAR 0.4.1, no case may be assigned to mandatory arbitration after the deadline for filing for arbitration, unless consent is obtained from the assigned judge. LMAR 2.3 ASSIGNMENT TO ARBITRATOR (a) Generally, Stipulations. When a case is set for arbitration, a list of not less than five proposed arbitrators will be furnished to the parties. A master list of arbitrators will be made available on request. The parties are encouraged to stipulate to an arbitrator using Stipulation to Arbitrator (form LMAR ). In the absence of a stipulation, the arbitrator will be chosen from among the five proposed arbitrators in the manner defined by this rule. (b) Response by Parties. Each party may, within ten days after a list of proposed arbitrators has been furnished to the parties, nominate one or two arbitrators and strike two arbitrators from the list. If both parties respond, an arbitrator nominated by both parties will be appointed. If no arbitrator has been nominated by both parties, the court administrator, or their designee, will appoint an arbitrator from among those not stricken by either party.

4 (c) Response by Only One Party. If only one party responds within ten days, the court administrator, or their designee, will appoint an arbitrator nominated by that party. (d) No Response. If neither party responds within ten days, the court administrator, or their designee, will appoint one of the five proposed arbitrators. (e) Additional Arbitrators for Additional Parties. If there are more than two adverse parties, all represented by different counsel, two additional proposed arbitrators shall be added to the list for each additional party so represented with the above principles of selection to be applied. LMAR 3.1 QUALIFICATIONS (a) Arbitration Panel. There shall be a panel of arbitrators who qualify under RCW , including the minimum of three credits on the professional and ethical considerations for serving as an arbitrator. A person desiring to serve as an arbitrator shall complete an application on a form prescribed by the court. A copy of said application of a person appointed as an arbitrator will be available upon request by any party and will be mailed to a requesting party at the party's own expense. The oath of office on the form prescribed by the court must be completed and filed prior to an appointed applicant being placed on the panel. (b) Refusal, Disqualification. The appointment of an arbitrator is subject to the right of that person to refuse to serve. An arbitrator must notify the court administrator, or their designee, in writing immediately if refusing to serve or if any cause exists for the arbitrator's disqualification from the case upon any of the grounds of interest, relationship, bias or prejudice set forth in CJC 2.11 governing the disqualification of judges.

5 LMAR 3.2 AUTHORITY OF ARBITRATORS An arbitrator has the authority to: (a) Motions. Determine the time, place and procedure to present a motion before the arbitrator, excluding motions for summary award and involuntary dismissal. (b) Expenses. Require a party or attorney advising such party or both to pay the reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, caused by the failure of such party or attorney or both to obey an order of the arbitrator unless the arbitrator finds that the failure was substantially justified or that other circumstances make an award of expenses unjust. The arbitrator shall make a special award for such expenses and shall file such award with the clerk of the superior court, with proof of service on each party. The aggrieved party shall have ten days thereafter to appeal the award of such expense in accordance with the procedures described in RCW If within ten days after the award is filed no party appeals, a judgment shall be entered in a manner described generally under MAR 6.3. (c) Attorney's Fees. Award attorney's fees as authorized by these rules, by contract or by law. LMAR 4.2 DISCOVERY (a) Additional Discovery. In determining when additional discovery beyond that directly authorized by RCW and MAR 4.2 is reasonably necessary, the arbitrator shall balance the benefits of discovery against the burdens and expenses. The arbitrator shall consider the nature and complexity of the case, the amount in controversy, values at stake, the discovery that has already occurred, the burdens on the party from whom discovery is sought, and the possibility of unfair surprise which may result if discovery is restricted. Authorized discovery shall be conducted in accordance with the civil rules except that motions concerning discovery shall be determined by the arbitrator. (b) Discovery Pending. Discovery pending at the time the case is assigned to an arbitrator is stayed pending order from the arbitrator or except as the parties may stipulate or except as authorized by MAR 4.2.

6 LMAR 5.1 NOTICE OF HEARING TIME AND PLACE CONTINUANCE An arbitration hearing may be scheduled at any reasonable time and place chosen by the arbitrator. The arbitrator may grant a continuance without court order as long as the new hearing date will allow the arbitration hearing and arbitrator decision to be completed 30 days before the scheduled trial date. The parties may stipulate to a continuance only with the permission of the arbitrator. A continuance of the arbitration hearing to a date less than 30 days prior to the scheduled trial date must be approved by the assigned judge. The arbitrator shall give reasonable notice of the hearing date on a Notice of Arbitration Hearing Date form approved by the court, and any continuance on an Order of Continuance of Arbitration Hearing Date form approved by the court to the arbitration director. LMAR 5.2 PREHEARING STATEMENT OF PROOF - DOCUMENTS FILED WITH COURT (a) Generally. In addition to the requirements of MAR 5.2, each party shall also furnish the arbitrator with copies of pleadings and other documents contained in the court file which that party deems relevant. The court file shall remain with the county clerk. The arbitrator shall strictly enforce the provisions of MAR 5.2 and is encouraged to withhold permission to present evidence at the time of hearing if the parties have failed to comply with this rule. (b) [Deleted]. [DELETED] LMAR 5.3

7 LMAR 6.1 FORM AND CONTENT OF AWARD (a) Form. The award shall be prepared on an Arbitration Award approved by the court and filed with the county clerk along with proof of service on the parties. (b) Return of Exhibits. When an award is filed, the arbitrator shall return all exhibits to the parties who offered them during the hearing. LMAR 6.2 FILING OF AWARD A request by an arbitrator for an extension of time for the filing of an award shall be presented to the court administrator, or their designee, who may approve or decline with authorization from the assigned or presiding judge. The arbitrator shall give the parties notice of any extension granted. Recurring delays in the filing of awards will result in the removal of the arbitrator from the panel. LMAR 6.3 JUDGMENT ON AWARD (a) Presentation. A judgment on an award shall be presented to the ex parte department, by any party, on notice in accordance with MAR 6.3.

8 LMAR 7.1 REQUEST FOR TRIAL DE NOVO (a) Request. The Request for Trial de Novo and Sealing of Award shall be filed with the county clerk on such form as approved by the court. A copy shall be provided to the assigned judge, if any, and court administrator. (b) [Deleted] [DELETED] LMAR 7.2 [DELETED] LMAR 7.3 LMAR 8.1 STIPULATIONS EFFECT ON RELIEF GRANTED If a case not otherwise subject to mandatory arbitration is transferred to arbitration by stipulation, the arbitrator may grant any relief which could have been granted if the case were determined by a judge.

9 LMAR 8.3 [Deleted] Amended Effective 9/1/01 LMAR 8.4 TITLE AND CITATION These rules are known and cited as the Spokane County Superior Court Mandatory Arbitration Rules. LMAR is the official abbreviation. LMAR 8.5 COMPENSATION OF ARBITRATOR (a) Generally. Arbitrators shall be compensated in the same amount and manner as judges pro tempore of the superior court. Hearing time and reasonable preparation time are compensable. (b) Form. When the award is filed, the arbitrator shall submit to the court administrator a request for payment on a form prescribed by the court within 60 days of the filing of the award. The court administrator, or their designee, with the approval of the assigned or presiding judge, shall determine the amount of compensation and costs to be paid. Compensation to the arbitrator and cost reimbursement shall be pursuant to standards set and periodically revised by the court. LMAR 8.6 ADMINISTRATION (a) Generally. The court administrator, under the supervision of the superior court judges, shall supervise arbitration under these rules and perform any additional duties which may be delegated by the judges. (b) Deleted (c) Deleted