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Opening The Door To Justice: Amending The Federal Arbitration Act To Remedy The Unjust Use Of Predispute Arbitration Agreements., John D. Wood

John D. Wood, Esq.

This paper assesses the Arbitration Fairness Act’s proposed amendments to the Federal Arbitration Act, as well as the possibility of contracting for heightened judicial review of arbitration awards. In brief, I support the amendments as well as the possibility of review. Section 2(b) of the AFA would prohibit the enforcement of predispute arbitration agreements that require arbitration of employment, consumer, or franchise disputes or disputes arising under any statute intended to protect civil rights. I demonstrate why the prevailing practice of summarily enforcing predispute arbitration agreements is unjust in these contexts, and why Congressional amendment, rather than State law or …