Opinion ID: 2510273
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: proceedings on the application to compel arbitration

Text: ¶ 15 In Oklahoma state courts, the OUAA determines how proceedings on an application to compel arbitration shall be conducted so long as the OUAA does not frustrate the purposes underlying the FAA. See Volt, 489 U.S. at 476, 109 S.Ct. 1248 (There is no federal policy favoring arbitration under a certain set of procedural rules....); Southland Corp. v. Keating, 465 U.S. 1, n. 10, 104 S.Ct. 852, 79 L.Ed.2d 1 (1984); Jack B. Anglin Co., Inc. v. Tipps, 842 S.W.2d 266, 268 (Tex.1992). When there is a written agreement to submit a controversy to arbitration and one party denies the existence of the agreement, the court shall proceed summarily in deciding the issue. 15 O.S.2001, § 803; see 9 U.S.C. § 4 (If the making of arbitration agreement is at issue, the court shall proceed summarily to the trial thereof.); Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 171.021 (West 2005) (If the existence of an agreement to arbitrate is at issue, the court shall summarily determine that issue.). ¶ 16 Section 815 of the OUAA provides that an application to compel arbitration shall be heard in the manner ... for making and hearing of motions in actions. Proceedings on motions are addressed in rule 4 of the Rules for District Courts of Oklahoma, 12 O.S.Supp.2002, ch. 2, app. (ORDC). Under rule 4 of the ORDC, the party seeking to compel arbitration must present a statement of the law and facts showing an enforceable agreement to arbitrate the issues presented by the petition. Id. at rule 4(c). The application to compel arbitration must be supported by affidavits, pleadings, stipulations, and other evidentiary materials which are verified by a person having knowledge of their accuracy. Id. Alternatively, counsel may submit a verified statement of what the proof will show and then present the proof at the hearing. Id. The moving party must also submit a concise brief including a list of authorities on which it relies. See id. Within fifteen days after the application is served, a party opposing the application to compel arbitration must file a brief or list of authorities and, if appropriate, verify the facts supporting its position. Id. ¶ 17 Either party may request a hearing. The decision to grant a hearing will be in the discretion of the district court. See id. at rule 4(d). However, if the existence of an agreement to arbitrate is controverted, then the better procedure is for the district court to conduct an evidentiary hearing before entering an order. In making its decision, the district court should be mindful of the FAA's and the OUAA's policies favoring arbitration; ambiguity falls on the side of the existence of an agreement to arbitrate. Moses H. Cone Memorial Hosp. v. Mercury Constr. Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 24-25, 103 S.Ct. 927, 74 L.Ed.2d 765 (1983); Wilkinson v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 1997 OK 20, ¶ 8, 933 P.2d 878, 879; Shaffer v. Jeffery, 1996 OK 47 at ¶ 23, 915 P.2d at 917.