Argued and submitted May 21, 1998. Sanford R. Landress argued the cause for appellant. P.C. Roger Anunsen argued the cause and filed the brief for respondents. Before Riggs, Presiding Judge, and Landau and Wollheim, Judges. Plaintiff is a California corporation qualified to sell agricultural chemicals and supplies in Oregon.
Defendants are commercial farmers.
By February 1997, despite plaintiff's demands, defendants' bill remained unpaid and plaintiff initiated an action in Multnomah County to recover the monies due it. In April 1997, the parties suspended litigation efforts and agreed to submit their dispute to mediation. In preparation, each exchanged documents and deposed the other's principal witnesses. Mediation, however, failed to resolve the parties' differences. Plaintiff subsequently commenced an arbitration action with the American Arbitration Association and filed a motion with the trial court to stay the litigation.