Court Opinion

ID: 8507425
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-23 08:07:38.365235+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:50:56.979699
License: Public Domain

Tart J.
I see no evidence of fraud or misconduct. The matter was simple, and I can not perceive why these arbitrators might not have formed a correct judgment without any more hearing than it appears was had. But it is said the objections taken to it are good as against a statutory award. It can not be made a rule of court. Still another objection might perhaps be urged against it as a statutory submission, namely, that the three arbitrators are not named in the submission. It was so held in the Wesleyan Female Seminary v. Blair, 1 Dis. 375.
It seems, however, to the court that these objections do not necessarily avoid the award as a common law award. The statute does not take away the common law light of parties to arbitrate their controversies.
There is no evidence of any fraud or unfair advantage in this case, appearing on the face of the proceedings, or by the affidavits of the arbitrators and parties. The arbitrators went upon the ground with the plaintiff’s petition in this case as their guide, and the plats of the parties, the defendant agreeing that the petition should be taken as true in its statement of facts, and made up their estimate of damages. This seems to have been done in accordance with the bond of submission, though not within the statute, which authorizes the making of an award a judgment of the court. This award will bind the parties, because they have agreed tobe bound by the opinion of these arbitrators, and not because they have had a trial under the statute, which is to be substituted for the judgment of the court. It is to be enforced, like any contract, by action.
The setting aside of awards is, to some extent, discretionary, and, in a case of doubt, it is probably better to leave the parties to their action, rather than to set aside the awards on motion. 1 Dis. 381; Watson on Arbitration and Award, 266; 2 Dowl. & Ry. 222; 13 M. & W. 364.
I prefer to leave the parties to their action upon, or against this award.
Motion overruled,