Opinion ID: 1438862
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Contractual Waiver of Immunity

Text: In the matter now before us, unlike C & L Enterprises's contract, three of the parties' contracts contain an explicit immunity waiver stating the Oglala Sioux Tribe grants a limited waiver of its immunity for any and all disputes arising from this Contract. See supra. The words are unambiguous. And, as in C & L Enterprises, the parties agreed to arbitrate any contractual disputes, absent federal jurisdiction. The first three contracts specifically provide: [T]he award rendered by the arbitrator shall be final, and judgment may be entered upon it in accordance with the applicable law in any court having jurisdiction thereof. See supra. As the Supreme Court discussed in C & L Enterprises, the arbitration agreement alone is enough to waive immunity. We find that, in the three contracts containing an explicit waiver of immunity and an agreement to arbitrate, the Tribe has waived sovereign immunity with respect to a suit brought to enforce an arbitral award. We consider the effect of C & L Enterprises's choice of law provision separately, below.