788.10 Annotation
An arbitrator exceeded his authority by directing that the grievant be transferred when the contract reserved transfer authority to the city and chief of police. Milwaukee v. Milwaukee Police Association
97 Wis. 2d 15,
292 N.W.2d 841 (1980).
788.10 Annotation
Although a contract gave management the right to determine job description classifications, the arbitrator did not exceed his authority by overruling management's determination that an employee with 8 years of job experience was not qualified for promotion to a job requiring 2 years of college "or its equivalent as determined by management." Oshkosh v. Union Local 796-A,
99 Wis. 2d 95,
299 N.W.2d 210 (1980).
788.10 Annotation
The burden of proving "evident partiality" of an arbitrator was not met when the apparently biased remarks of the arbitrator represented merely an initial impression, not a final conclusion. Diversified Management Services v. Slotten,
119 Wis. 2d 441,
351 N.W.2d 176 (Ct. App. 1984).
788.10 Annotation
An award was vacated for "evident partiality" because the arbitrator failed to disclose past employment with the entity supplying a party's counsel. Spooner Dist. v. N. W. Educators,
136 Wis. 2d 263,
401 N.W.2d 578 (1987).
788.10 Annotation
A party cannot complain to the courts that an arbitrator acted outside the scope of his authority if an objection was not raised before the arbitrator. DePue v. Mastermold, Inc.
161 Wis. 2d 697,
468 N.W.2d 750 (Ct. App. 1991).
788.10 Annotation
A party disputing the existence of an agreement to arbitrate may choose not to participate in arbitration and may challenge the existence of the agreement by motion to vacate the award under sub. (10) (d). Scholl v. Lundberg,
178 Wis. 2d 259,
504 N.W.2d 115 (Ct. App. 1993).
788.10 Annotation
If arbitrators had a reasonable basis for not following case law, the arbitrators' decision will not be interfered with by the court. Lukowski v. Dankert,
184 Wis. 2d 142,
515 N.W.2d 883 (1994).
788.10 Annotation
"Evident partiality" under sub. (1) (b) exists only when a reasonable person knowing previously undisclosed information would have such doubts about the arbitrator's impartiality that the person would have taken action on the information. DeBaker v. Shah,
194 Wis. 2d 104,
533 N.W.2d 464 (1995).
788.10 Annotation
This section does not prevent the vacation of an arbitration award on the basis of a manifest disregard of the law. Employers Insurance of Wausau v. Lloyd's London,
202 Wis. 2d 673,
552 N.W.2d 420 (Ct. App. 1996),
95-2930.
788.10 Annotation
An arbitrator's award that relied on oral testimony with no formal record, rather than the wording of the prevailing party's proposal, was not final and definite as required by sub. (1) (d). LaCrosse Professional Police Association v. City of LaCrosse,
212 Wis. 2d 90,
568 N.W.2d 20 (Ct. App. 1997),
96-2741.
788.10 Annotation
That an arbitrator made a mistake by erroneously rejecting a valid legal defense does not provide grounds for vacating an award unless the arbitrator deliberately disregarded the law. Flexible Manufacturing Systems v. Super Products Corp.
86 F.3d 96 (1996).
788.10 Annotation
Courts may vacate an arbitration award that was procured by fraud, but should be hesitant to do so in order to protect the finality of arbitration decisions. To merit vacation of the award, the plaintiff must demonstrate: 1) clear and convincing evidence of fraud, 2) that the fraud materially relates to an issue involved in the arbitration, and 3) that due diligence would not have prompted the discovery of the fraud during or prior to the arbitration. Steichen v. Hensler, 2005 WI App 117,
283 Wis. 2d 755,
701 N.W.2d 1,
03-2990 788.10 Annotation
Evident partiality under sub. (1) (b) cannot be avoided simply by a full disclosure and a declaration of impartiality. The circuit court must vacate an arbitration award under sub. (1) (b) due to evident partiality if, based on evidence that is clear, plain, and apparent, a reasonable person would have serious doubts about the impartiality of the arbitrator. An ongoing attorney-client relationship between an insurer and its named arbitrator is of such a substantial nature that a reasonable person would have serious doubts about the partiality of the arbitrator. Therefore, as a matter of law, the arbitrator was evidently partial and the arbitration award must be vacated. Borst v. Allstate Insurance Company, 2006 WI 70,
291 Wis. 2d 361,
717 N.W.2d 42,
04-2004.
788.10 Annotation
A presumption of impartiality among all arbitrators, whether named by the parties or not, is adopted. This presumption may be rebutted, and an arbitrator may act as a non-neutral when the parties contract for non-neutral arbitrators or the arbitration rules otherwise provide for non-neutral arbitrators. Borst v. Allstate Insurance Company, 2006 WI 70,
291 Wis. 2d 361,
717 N.W.2d 42,
04-2004.
788.10 Annotation
Sub. (1) (d) requires a court to vacate an arbitrator's award when the arbitrator exceeds his or her powers. Arbitration awards must be vacated when they conflict with governing law, as set forth in the constitution, a statute, or case law interpreting the constitution or a statute. Racine County v. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, 2008 WI 70,
310 Wis. 2d 508,
751 N.W.2d 312,
06-0964.
788.10 Annotation
Courts will vacate an award when arbitrators exceeded their powers through perverse misconstruction, positive misconduct, a manifest disregard of the law, or when the award is illegal or in violation of strong public policy. When there is no contractual language that would allow for the arbitrator's construction, there is no reasonable foundation for the award. In such a case, the arbitrator perversely misconstrues the contract and exceeds the authority granted by the collective bargaining agreement. Baldwin-Woodville Area School Dist. v. West Central Education Association, 2009 WI 51,
317 Wis. 2d 691,
766 N.W.2d 591,
08-0519.
788.10 Annotation
Borst Clarifies Arbitration Procedures. Frankel. Wis. Law. Dec. 2006.
788.11
788.11
Modification of award. 788.11(1)
(1) In either of the following cases the court in and for the county wherein the award was made must make an order modifying or correcting the award upon the application of any party to the arbitration:
788.11(1)(a)
(a) Where there was an evident material miscalculation of figures or an evident material mistake in the description of any person, thing or property referred to in the award;
788.11(1)(b)
(b) Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted to them unless it is a matter not affecting the merits of the decision upon the matters submitted;
788.11(1)(c)
(c) Where the award is imperfect in matter of form not affecting the merits of the controversy.
788.11(2)
(2) The order must modify and correct the award, so as to effect the intent thereof and promote justice between the parties.
788.11 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64; Stats. 1979 s. 788.11.
788.11 Annotation
The intent of the parties controls a determination under sub. (1) (b) whether a matter was submitted to the arbitrator. Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters Local 215 v. Milwaukee,
78 Wis. 2d 1,
253 N.W.2d 481 (1977).
788.11 Annotation
A court had no jurisdiction to vacate or modify an award if grounds under s. 788.10 or 788.11 did not exist. Milwaukee Police Association v. Milwaukee,
92 Wis. 2d 175,
285 N.W.2d 133 (1979).
788.12
788.12
Judgment. Upon the granting of an order confirming, modifying or correcting an award, judgment may be entered in conformity therewith in the court wherein the order was granted.
788.12 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64; Stats. 1979 s. 788.12.
788.12 Annotation
There is no statutory authority for awarding costs to a party in an arbitration proceeding. Finkenbinder v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Co.
215 Wis. 2d 145,
572 N.W.2d 501 (Ct. App. 1997),
97-0357.
788.13
788.13
Notice of motion to change award. Notice of a motion to vacate, modify or correct an award must be served upon the adverse party or attorney within 3 months after the award is filed or delivered, as prescribed by law for service of notice of a motion in an action. For the purposes of the motion any judge who might make an order to stay the proceedings in an action brought in the same court may make an order, to be served with the notice of motion, staying the proceedings of the adverse party to enforce the award.
788.13 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64;
1979 c. 176; Stats. 1979 s. 788.13.
788.13 Annotation
The time limit under s. 788.13 does not apply when the prevailing party moves to confirm under s. 788.09 and an adverse party wishes to raise objections under ss. 788.10 and 788.11. Milwaukee Police Association v. Milwaukee,
92 Wis. 2d 145,
285 N.W.2d 119 (1979).
788.13 Annotation
Under federal labor law, this section governs challenges to arbitration decisions. Teamsters Local No. 579 v. B&M Transit, Inc.
882 F. 2d 274 (1989).
788.14
788.14
Papers filed with motion regarding award; entry of judgment, effect of judgment. 788.14(1)
(1) Any party to a proceeding for an order confirming, modifying or correcting an award shall, at the time the order is filed with the clerk of circuit court for the entry of judgment thereon, also file the following papers with the clerk of circuit court:
788.14(1)(a)
(a) The agreement, the selection or appointment, if any, of an additional arbitrator or umpire, and each written extension of the time, if any, within which to make the award;
788.14(1)(c)
(c) Each notice, affidavit or other paper used upon an application to confirm, modify or correct the award, and a copy of each order of the court upon such an application.
788.14(2)
(2) The judgment shall be entered in the judgment and lien docket as if it was rendered in an action.
788.14(3)
(3) The judgment so entered shall have the same force and effect, in all respects, as, and be subject to all the provisions of law relating to, a judgment in an action; and it may be enforced as if it had been rendered in an action in the court in which it is entered.
788.14 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64; Stats. 1979 s. 788.14;
1995 a. 224.
788.15
788.15
Appeal from order or judgment. An appeal may be taken from an order confirming, modifying, correcting or vacating an award, or from a judgment entered upon an award, as from an order or judgment in an action.
788.15 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64; Stats. 1979 s. 788.15.
788.17
788.17
Title of act. This chapter may be referred to as "The Wisconsin Arbitration Act".
788.17 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64; Stats. 1979 s. 788.17.
788.18
788.18
Not retroactive. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to contracts made prior to June 19, 1931.
788.18 History
History: 1979 c. 32 s.
64; Stats. 1979 s. 788.18.
