Opinion ID: 2310164
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Denial of Motion to Present Testimonial Evidence

Text: An application to vacate an arbitration award shall be made by motion and shall be heard in the manner ... provided by law or rule of court for the making and hearing of motions. 14 M.R.S.A. § 5942. The court has the discretion to receive evidence on motions by affidavit, deposition, or oral testimony. M.R.Civ.P. 43(e). [3] We review the court's decision not to hear testimony only for abuse of discretion. Smith v. Kennard, 496 A.2d 660, 663 (Me.1985); see Higgins v. Higgins, 370 A.2d 670, 674 (Me.1977). Concord contends that the court abused its discretion in denying it a testimonial hearing because doing so effectively deprived it of its statutory right of review. That contention is unpersuasive. Through affidavits, memoranda of law, and oral argument in support of its motion for a testimonial hearing, Concord had an adequate opportunity to proffer evidence that would have demonstrated the need for a testimonial hearing. A party is not entitled to a testimonial hearing on a motion to vacate or to confirm an arbitration award in the absence of a showing that such a hearing will disclose relevant facts not otherwise before the court in affidavit form. Although Concord may have desired to call as witnesses the participants in the arbitration proceeding, it made no proffer as to how that evidence would differ from the affidavits the court considered. In its memorandum submitted to the Superior Court in support of the motion for a testimonial hearing, it specifically referred only to the testimony of its attorney and Gloria Donovan, both of whom submitted detailed affidavits. Because Concord failed to demonstrate the need for a testimonial hearing, the court's denial of Concord's motion was not an abuse of discretion.