Opinion ID: 1760353
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Arbitrability of the Remmels' claims against McDowell

Text: For their second point on appeal, the Remmels argue that they reserved the right to appeal the arbitrability of their claims against McDowell. Specifically, the Remmels contend that [j]ust as the rules on construction apply to the SPA, the same should be applied to the consent order of July 22, 2004. In response, Regions asserts that the Remmels misstate the consent order by arguing that it reserved a right for them to appeal the arbitrability of their claims against McDowell. With the aforementioned case law in mind, we turn to the consent order, dated July 7, 2004, which provides in pertinent part: The Plaintiffs and Defendant Allen J. McDowell have agreed that all claims against McDowell and McDowell's counterclaim against Plaintiffs are to be referred to arbitration. These parties have further agreed that the arbitration of these claims will be consolidated with the arbitration proceeding involving the Plaintiffs and Regions Financial Corporation, with Plaintiffs reserving any and all rights to appeal the decision of the Court compelling arbitration of their claims against Regions Financial Corporation. (Emphasis added.) Here, the clear language of the circuit court's order reveals that the Remmels reserved the right to appeal the decision of claims against Regions. Any claims against McDowell are not expressly mentioned in the order. Thus, by the language of the order, the Remmels waived an objection to arbitrate against McDowell. For these reasons, we decline to reach this issue.