Opinion ID: 1504729
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Mandatory arbitration requirement

Text: Ms. Lancaster contends in her second point for reversal that the mandatory arbitration requirement adopted by the Conway Board of Realtors does not apply to disputants who were members of the same realty firm and, further, that the chancery court's finding that, by her appearance, she had waived her right to refuse arbitration was error. This argument is premised on the assumption that Ms. Lancaster and Ms. West were members of the same realty firm at the time the cause of action arose. As discussed above, however, Ms. Lancaster was no longer associated with Classic Realty at the time the sale in question was consummated. Article 14 of the Code of Ethics approved by the Professional Standards Committee and the Board of Directors of the National Association of Realtors and adopted by the Conway Board of Realtors provides that: In the event of a controversy between REALTORS associated with different firms, arising out of their relationship as REALTORS, the REALTORS shall submit the dispute to arbitration in accordance with the regulations of their Board or Boards rather than litigate the matter. As the parties were associated with different firms at the time the cause of action arose, the mandatory arbitration agreement was applicable.