Big Bank Blinks; Is This the End for Mandatory Consumer Arbitration?

One of the country’s major banks has blinked after announcements by two well-known groups that they would no longer participate in mandatory arbitration in which consumers are required to participate…

Jul 24, 2009 9:52 PM CDT

Logistical Issues for Banks After AAA Pulls Out of Consumer Arbitration

A second company is getting out of the business of arbitrating consumer credit disputes.

The American Arbitration Association announced Tuesday that it will stop participating in consumer debt disputes with…

Jul 22, 2009 12:43 PM CDT

Non-Muslims Turn to Shariah Courts in UK to Resolve Civil Disputes

Shariah courts in the United Kingdom aren’t just being used by Muslims. A small but growing number of non-Muslims also are turning to the religious tribunals to resolve commercial disputes…

Jul 21, 2009 5:22 PM CDT

An AG’s Quick Victory: Arbitration Forum Exits Credit Dispute Business

Facing a showdown with the Minnesota attorney general, the National Arbitration Forum has agreed to stop arbitrating consumer credit disputes.

NAF is the nation’s largest company arbitrating past-due credit card…

Jul 20, 2009 11:36 AM CDT

Minn. AG Sues Credit Card Arbitration Company, Claims Hidden Industry Ties

The Minnesota attorney general is claiming in a lawsuit that an arbitration firm widely used in consumer credit disputes has hidden its “extensive ties” to the debt collection industry.

The…

Jul 15, 2009 12:07 PM CDT

‘Stealth Coop’ Can Smooth Neighbors’ Ruffled Feathers Over Backyard Chickens

Although some neighbors are squawking about a potential farm nuisance in an urban area, backyard chickens are a growing trend in cities throughout the country. Among those now struggling with…

Jun 15, 2009 8:53 PM CDT

Lawyer’s Therapy Dog Manages to Calm Most-Stressed Negotiators

Annie the Australian shepherd is a certified pet therapy dog and something of a business asset to her master, Oklahoma lawyer Joseph Paulk.

Paulk is president and founder of Dispute…

May 27, 2009 6:25 PM CDT

In-Chambers Shoving Match Alleged Between Two Texas Judges

An alleged in-chambers shoving match between two Texas judges in front of a Dallas County sheriff’s deputy is now being investigated by the Texas Rangers.

But accounts of the incidents…

May 7, 2009 7:23 PM CDT

High Court Rules Against Terror Victim’s Brother in Immunity Case

A man who claims Iran participated in the assassination of his brother cannot attach an American court judgment as compensation for the death, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled.

The…

Apr 21, 2009 3:47 PM CDT

Company Won’t Reinstate In-House Lawyer; How Much Will That Add to $1.6M Award?

In an unusual decision that could be persuasive in other courts, a Wisconsin appellate panel has recognized the power of an arbitration panel to order reinstatement of an in-house lawyer…

Apr 15, 2009 9:10 PM CDT

Arbitrators Can Award Legal Fees Despite Dutch-Treat ADR Pact, 2nd Circuit Says

The arbitration agreement between two insurance companies called for each to bear its own costs to resolve a dispute. But that didn’t prevent the arbitration panel from awarding sanctions, the…

Apr 14, 2009 10:30 PM CDT

Giants Must Pay $1M Bonus to Burress Even Though He Shot Himself

After accidentally shooting himself in the leg in a Manhattan nightclub last year, Plaxico Burress was suspended for four games by the New York Giants and fined an additional amount…

Apr 6, 2009 6:38 PM CDT

Arbitrator Rules EEOC’s Comp Time Policy Violated Labor Law

An arbitrator has ruled the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is violating federal labor law by seeking to avoid paying workers for overtime.

Arbitrator Steven Wolf ruled the agency pressured employees…

Mar 31, 2009 12:45 PM CDT

Obama Says Medical Malpractice Reform Is ‘On the Table’

The Obama administration is considering medical malpractice reform as part of an overhaul of the health care system.

Past efforts to cap pain and suffering damages in medical malpractice suits…

Mar 18, 2009 6:50 PM CDT

Consumers Won More than Half of Arbitrations Studied

Arbitration of consumer disputes is not the business friendly forum that some critics charge, according to the results of a new study by Northwestern law school.

The study of 301…

Mar 12, 2009 6:09 PM CDT