The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in an unpublished opinion involving a non-insurance matter, affirmed the denial of a motion to vacate an arbitration award, which contended that the arbitrators had exhibited evident partiality or corruption. However, the Court could not evaluate this claim on its merits because there was no transcript of the arbitration proceeding available. Henry v. Standard Automation & Control, 2006 WL 2233390, Case No. 04-16588 (9th Cir. August 24, 2006). Unless whatever is the subject of post-hearing motions is completely encompassed within written submissions to a panel, which will be an atypical occurrence, it is likely that there will be an inadequate record for judicial review if the arbitration hearing is not transcribed. Electing not to have a court reporter attend an arbitration hearing therefore will severely limit a party's post-hearing options, making an arbitration award effectively not subject to even the limited “judicial review” provided for in the Federal Arbitration Act.
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