When Regulations and Arbitration Awards Collide: Potential Difficulties for Arbitrators and Parties: Bangor Gas Co., LLC v. H.Q. Energy Serv. U.S. Inc.

Authors

Greg Mitchell

Abstract

Many commercial transactions are complex. The increasing presence of both arbitration and administrative regulations are part of what creates this complexity. It is thus possible that parties to a commercial transaction will find themselves in arbitration over a dispute involving regulations. This note will explore the potential difficulties parties and arbitrators face when arbitration awards and regulations collide. The difficulties for parties include grounds for vacatur that are either nonexistent or hard to meet, and potentially being forced to choose between violating a regulation or not complying with the award. Additionally, arbitrators face difficulties in fashioning awards that comply with regulations, especially because early communications with agencies are usually non-binding.

Recommended Citation

Greg Mitchell, When Regulations and Arbitration Awards Collide: Potential Difficulties for Arbitrators and Parties: Bangor Gas Co., LLC v. H.Q. Energy Serv. U.S. Inc., 2013 J. Disp. Resol. (2013)
Available at: https://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/jdr/vol2013/iss2/10