Opinion ID: 2644785
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶7 Judicial review of an arbitration award is strictly limited by statute in Montana. Colstrip Energy L.P. v. N.W. Corp., 2011 MT 99, ¶ 17, 360 Mont. 298, 253 P.3d 870 (internal citations omitted). When a matter has been submitted to binding arbitration, 3 courts are not permitted to review the merits of the controversy, but may only confirm, vacate, modify, or correct an arbitration award pursuant to §§ 27-5-311, -312, and -313, MCA. Colstrip Energy, ¶ 17 (internal citations omitted). We review a trial court’s decision to confirm an arbitration award to determine if the court abused its discretion. The test for an abuse of discretion is whether the trial court acted arbitrarily, without employment of conscientious judgment, or exceeded the bounds of reason resulting in substantial injustice. Colstrip Energy, ¶ 18 (internal citations omitted). We can only review whether the District Court abused its discretion in confirming the arbitration award; we cannot review the merits of the controversy. Colstrip Energy, ¶ 19 (internal citations omitted).