Opinion ID: 1225794
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Arbitration Under RCW 7.04

Text: Washington has established its policy for arbitration in RCW 7.04, our code of arbitration. Price v. Farmers Ins. Co., 133 Wash.2d 490, 495, 946 P.2d 388 (1997); Northern State Constr. Co. v. Banchero, 63 Wash.2d 245, 249, 386 P.2d 625 (1963). Washington law generally favors the use of alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration where the parties agree by contract to submit their disputes to an arbitrator. Boyd v. Davis, 127 Wash.2d 256, 262, 897 P.2d 1239 (1995) (noting encouraging parties voluntarily to submit their disputes to arbitration is an increasingly important objective in our ever more litigious society). See, e.g., Perez v. Mid-Century Ins. Co., 85 Wash.App. 760, 765, 934 P.2d 731 (1997) (recognizing a strong public policy in Washington state favoring arbitration of disputes); Clearwater v. Skyline Constr. Co., 67 Wash.App. 305, 314, 835 P.2d 257 (1992), review denied, 121 Wash.2d 1005, 848 P.2d 1263 (1993) (same). See also Munsey v. Walla Walla College, 80 Wash.App. 92, 94-95, 906 P.2d 988 (1995) (recognizing the strong public policy favoring arbitration of disputes and noting arbitration cases court congestion, provides an expeditious method of resolving disputes and is generally less expensive than litigation); accord King County v. Boeing Co., 18 Wash. App. 595, 602-03, 570 P.2d 713 (1977) (and cases cited therein). See also Barnett v. Hicks, 119 Wash.2d 151, 160, 829 P.2d 1087 (1992) (noting the object of arbitration is to avoid the formalities, delay, expense and vexation of ordinary litigation). The parties' rights with regard to arbitration are controlled by their contract and the provisions of RCW 7.04. Price, 133 Wash.2d at 495-96, 946 P.2d 388. Washington courts have given substantial finality to arbitrator decisions rendered in accordance with the parties' contract and RCW 7.04. The shorthand description for this policy of finality is that judicial review of an arbitration award is limited to the face of the award. Boyd, 127 Wash.2d at 263, 897 P.2d 1239. In the absence of an error of law on the face of the award, the arbitrator's award will not be vacated or modified. Id; see also Lindon Commodities, Inc. v. Bambino Bean Co., 57 Wash.App. 813, 816, 790 P.2d 228 (1990) (applying the above cited rule and reversing the trial court confirmation of an arbitration award, and remanding the matter for a new arbitration hearing, where an error of law appeared on the face of the award). Phrased a different way, judicial review of an arbitration award in the context of a proceeding under RCW 7.04.150 to confirm an arbitrator's award is exceedingly limited. A court may confirm, vacate, modify, or correct an arbitrator's award in accordance with the applicable provisions in RCW 7.04. Barnett, 119 Wash.2d at 156, 829 P.2d 1087; Expert Drywall, Inc. v. Ellis-Don Constr., Inc., 86 Wash.App. 884, 888, 939 P.2d 1258 (1997), Groves v. Progressive Cas., 50 Wash.App. 133, 135, 747 P.2d 498 (1987), review denied, 110 Wash.2d 1016 (1988). Judicial review of an arbitration award, therefore, does not include a review of the merits of the case. Barnett, 119 Wash.2d at 157, 829 P.2d 1087; Westmark Properties, Inc. v. McGuire, 53 Wash.App. 400, 402, 766 P.2d 1146 (1989). Ordinarily, the evidence before the arbitrator will not be considered by the court. Id.; Lindon, 57 Wash.App. at 816, 790 P.2d 228.