Opinion ID: 153017
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Scope of the Arbitrator's Powers

Text: Section 1286.2(a)(4) of the CAA provides for vacatur if [t]he arbitrators exceeded their powers and the award cannot be corrected without affecting the merits of the decision upon the controversy submitted. California courts have found that an arbitrator exceeds his powers when he (1) acts without subject matter jurisdiction, (2) decides an issue that was not submitted to arbitration, (3) arbitrarily remakes the contract, (4) upholds an illegal contract, (5) issues an award that violates a well-defined public policy, (6) issues an award that violates a statutory right, (7) fashions a remedy that is not rationally related to the contract, or (8) selects a remedy not authorized by law. See Jordan v. Cal. Dep't of Motor Vehicles, 100 Cal.App.4th 431, 443, 123 Cal.Rptr.2d 122 (2002) (citing cases) (internal citations omitted). In other words, an arbitrator exceeds his powers when he acts in a manner not authorized by the contract or by law. Id. The enumerated statutory grounds in the CAA are the exclusive grounds for judicial review of arbitration awards. See Cable Connection, Inc. v. DIRECTV, Inc., 44 Cal.4th 1334, 1343, 82 Cal.Rptr.3d 229, 190 P.3d 586 (2008) ([I]n the absence of some limiting clause in the arbitration agreement, the merits of the award, either on questions of fact or of law, may not be reviewed except as provided in the statute. (internal quotation marks omitted)). Rosenfeld disagrees with the arbitrator's interpretation of California law, but he has not demonstrated that the arbitrator exceeded his powers.