A federal district court has dismissed a motion to vacate an arbitration decision denying a party’s request to unilaterally withdraw a claim that was subject to a pending arbitration. Finding the arbitration decision was not final, and did not fall within any exception to the finality requirement, the court held it lacked jurisdiction to consider the motion to vacate it. The court also rejected application of the collateral order doctrine which, if applicable, would justify the court’s jurisdiction to hear the motion. That doctrine is reserved for only a few substantial interests, such as defenses of presidential immunity and double jeopardy. No such substantial interest was shown by the argument that consideration of the order could avoid unnecessary legal expenses. Bailey Shipping Ltd. v. American Bureau of Shipping, et al., Case No. 12-CV-5959 (USDC S.D.N.Y. Mar. 28, 2014).
This post written by Renee Schimkat.
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