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The University of Texas at Austin School of Law
  2. Course Schedule

SMNR: Arbitration

  • Semester: Spring 2010
  • Course ID: 397S
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Unique: 29170

Course Information

  • Course Type: Seminar

Registration Information

  • Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
TUE 3:30 - 5:20 pm TNH 3.140

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Paper

Description

In this seminar, we will look at Arbitration as a method for resolving commercial disputes--both domestic disputes and disputes arising out of international transactions. In international commercial contracts, arbitration clauses "not only predominate but are nowadays almost universal" and are "virtually taken for granted." (Kerr, International Arbitration v. Litigation, [1980] J. Bus. Law 164). Arbitration has also traditionally been the standard method of dispute resolution in many domestic industries such as construction and textiles In addition, decisions of the Supreme Court over the last ten years or so have given impetus and support to the use of arbitration in many other areas-- notably securities disputes, insurance, banking, and franchising and other commercial contracts disputes. States have been experimenting with arbitration as a method of handling many kinds of "consumer" disputes--notably, disputes between attorneys and clients over fees, and disputes involving automobile warranties. The growing use of arbitration in employment contracts--entrusting to arbitrators the resolution of Title VII claims for racial and sexual discrimination--has been drawing increasing attention and criticism. And of course, arbitration is used in professional baseball to settle salary disputes between players and major league teams. In this seminar, we will be looking at both the law and the practice of commercial arbitration. During the first few weeks, as background, there will be reading and discussion that will touch on the following areas: a) the law of commercial arbitration: e.g., federal and state statutes favoring arbitration, international treaties, and court review of arbitration awards; b) setting up an arbitration: e.g., choosing the arbitrators, and the various arbitration bodies like the International Chamber of Commerce and the American Arbitration Association; c) drafting arbitration clauses, and planning to provide for unforeseen events--what rules should govern the arbitration?; d) the conduct of an arbitation--how are a lawyer's skills in arbitration different from litigation skills? Thereafter, each student will write a paper on a topic suggested by the earlier classes. This could be either a research paper in traditional form, or an empirical paper focusing on actual dispute resolution practice. This will be a writing seminar. There are no prerequisites.

Instructors

Headshot of Rau, Alan S. Rau, Alan S.
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