Arbitration clause
In contract law, an arbitration clause is a clause in a contract that requires the parties to resolve their disputes through an arbitration process. Although such a clause may or may not specify that arbitration occur within a specific jurisdiction, it always binds the parties to a type of resolution outside the courts, and is therefore considered a kind of forum selection clause.
Contract law |
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Formation |
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Defences |
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Interpretation |
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Dispute resolution |
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Rights of third parties |
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Breach of contract |
Remedies |
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Quasi-contractual obligations |
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Duties of parties |
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Related areas of law |
By jurisdiction |
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Other law areas |
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Arbitration clauses are frequently paired with class action waivers, which prevent contracting parties to file class action lawsuits against each other. In the United States, arbitration clauses also often include a provision which requires parties to waive their rights to a jury trial. All three provisions have attained significant amounts of support and controversy, with proponents arguing that arbitration is as fair as courts and a more informal, speedier way to resolve disputes, while opponents of arbitration condemning the clauses for limited appeal options and allowing large corporations to effectively silence claims through "private justice".