The plaintiff and intervenor-defendant entered into a contract wherein they agreed to arbitrate claims arising out of the contract. Following a dispute, the plaintiff asserted that the intervenor-defendant had waived its right to arbitration. To determine whether arbitration was waived, the district court considered: “(1) the time elapsed from when litigation was commenced until the request for arbitration; (2) the amount of limitation to date, including motion practice and discovery; and (3) proof of prejudice.” The court concluded that, in light of the strong presumption in favor of arbitration, and despite the 14-month delay in applying for a stay, the plaintiff “failed to show that it has suffered prejudice as a result of the delay, or will suffer prejudice by proceeding to arbitration.” The case was stayed pending the conclusion of arbitration pursuant to the terms of the parties’ contract.
United States ex rel. Preferred Masonry Restoration, Inc. v. Int’l Fidelity Ins. Co., No. 7:17-cv-01358 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 30, 2019).