Dighe v. Dutt CA2/2 ( 2014 )

Filed 10/29/14 Dighe v. Dutt CA2/2
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION TWO
AJIT N. DIGHE, B248363
Plaintiff and Respondent, (Los Angeles County
Super. Ct. No. SS022624)
v.
BIRENDRA DUTT et al.,
Defendants and Appellants.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Cesar C.
Sarmiento, Judge. Affirmed.
Cole Pedroza, Kenneth R. Pedroza and Cassidy C. Davenport for Defendants and
Appellants.
The Ball Law firm and Byron T. Ball for Plaintiff and Respondent.
Birendra Dutt (Dutt) and Uplander Properties, LLC (collectively appellants)
appeal from a judgment confirming an arbitration award. The arbitration award, entered
in favor of Ajit N. Dighe (respondent), requires appellants to pay respondent a total of
$524,069.86. Appellants contend that the trial court erred in determining that the
arbitrator did not exceed his powers in granting respondent this award based on a theory
of implied-in-fact contract, when no such theory was asserted in the complaint and
respondent never sought to amend his complaint to assert such a theory. Appellants also
contend that the trial court erred in declining to vacate the award on the grounds of
misconduct and fraud.
We find no error and affirm the judgment.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
In 2005, appellants retained respondent to provide architectural services for three
projects. The first was the design of a custom home to be built at 6892 Arizona Avenue,
Los Angeles, California. An “Abbreviated Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner
and Architect” (standard form agreement) was prepared for the project on March 3, 2005,
but was only signed by respondent.
The second project was for a remodel and expansion of an office building located
at 5800 Uplander Way, Culver City, California. On January 3, 2005, a standard form
agreement was created for this project. The document was signed by both appellants and
respondent.
The third project was a remodel of Dutt’s residence at 6890 Arizona Avenue,
Los Angeles, California. Two separate standard form agreements were created for this
project. The first, dated March 21, 2005, was not signed by either party. The second,
dated December 2, 2009, was signed by respondent but not appellants.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On April 23, 2010, respondent filed a complaint against appellants for breach of
contract and quantum meruit. In the complaint, respondent alleged that “Notwithstanding
the extensive professional services provided to [appellants] by [respondent], [appellants]
2
have failed and refused, and continue to fail and refuse, to compensate [respondent] for
such work.”
On January 24, 2012, the parties stipulated to binding arbitration.
On March 16 and May 9, 2012, a binding arbitration hearing took place before the
Hon. Enrique Romero, Judge of the Superior Court (Ret.). On June 23, 2012, the
arbitrator issued a detailed written interim arbitration award. The arbitrator found that the
evidence showed that “the written agreement for the office renovation, as modified, was
intended to be a ‘master agreement’ for the properties.” In addition, “the parties entered
into an implied-in-fact contract based on the ‘acts and conduct of the parties and all of the
surrounding circumstances involved . . . .’ See Del E. Webb Corp. v. Structural Materials
Co. (1981) 123 Cal. App. 3d 593, 611.” “[Respondent] complied fully with all that was
required of him under the three contracts and he presented quite [a bit] of evidence
establishing that he put in hundreds of hours on behalf of [appellants] . . . [t]his was
established not only by and through the testimony of [respondent] himself but that of
other witnesses.” The arbitrator further found that respondent’s work was “‘high
quality,’” and that his “billing was reasonable.” The evidence showed damages for the
three properties in the amount of $504,881.
On July 31, 2012, the arbitrator entered a final binding arbitration award in the
amount of $504,881 plus costs of $19,188.86 for a total award of $524,069.86 in favor of
respondent.
Respondent filed a petition to confirm the arbitration award on August 22, 2012.
On September 4, 2012, appellants filed an opposition to the petition to confirm the
arbitration award. On the same date, appellants filed a petition to vacate the arbitration
award.
On November 8, 2012, the trial court issued a tentative ruling granting
respondent’s petition to confirm the arbitration award. The court noted that while
appellants presented three grounds for vacating the award, the argument for each was
essentially the same. In sum, they contended that “the arbitrator acted improperly in
awarding [respondent] an award premised on an implied-in-fact contract theory, when
3
none was asserted in the subject complaint and [respondent] never moved to amend and
add such a theory.”
The court noted that judicial review of arbitration awards is very limited. Errors
of law are not grounds for challenging an award (citing Moncharsh v. Heily & Blase
(1992) 3 Cal. 4th 1, 11 (Moncharsh)), and a trial court may not examine the validity of the
arbitrator’s reasoning. In sum, the court simply may not substitute its judgment for that
of the arbitrator (citing Morris v. Zuckerman (1968) 69 Cal. 2d 686, 691).
The court further explained that where the lawsuit has been stayed pending
arbitration, an award may encompass any issues submitted by the parties, whether or not
pleaded in the complaint. “In such cases, the arbitrator does not ‘exceed his powers’ in
going beyond issues raised in the lawsuit pleadings” (citing Hall v. Superior Court (1993)
18 Cal. App. 4th 427, 435-436 (Hall)).
The trial court concluded that appellants failed to show that the arbitrator engaged
in fraud, undue influence, misconduct, or acted in excess of his powers. Respondent’s
petition to confirm the award was granted. Appellants’ petition to vacate was denied.
On February 25, 2013, the trial court entered a final judgment confirming the
arbitration award.
On April 23, 2013, appellants filed their notice of appeal from the judgment.
DISCUSSION
I. Applicable law and standards of review
The Legislature has expressed its strong support for private arbitration and the
finality of arbitral awards. (Moncharsh, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 32.) Thus, the scope of
judicial review of arbitration awards is extremely narrow. (Ahdout v. Hekmatjah (2013)
213 Cal. App. 4th 21, 33.) Generally, “‘[t]he merits of the controversy between the parties
are not subject to judicial review.’ [Citations.]” (Moncharsh, at p. 11.) “More
specifically, courts will not review the validity of the arbitrator’s reasoning. [Citations.]”
(Ibid.) “[I]t is the general rule that, with narrow exceptions, an arbitrator’s decision
cannot be reviewed for errors of fact or law.” (Ibid.)
4
However, Code of Civil Procedure section 1286.2 (section 1286.2) provides
limited exceptions to this general rule. Under section 1286.2, a court shall vacate an
arbitration award if “[t]he arbitrators exceeded their powers and the award cannot be
corrected without affecting the merits of the decision upon the controversy submitted.”
(§ 1286.2, subd. (a)(4).) A court must also vacate an award where it was procured by
fraud or where the rights of the party were substantially prejudiced by the misconduct of
the arbitrator. (§ 1286.2, subds. (a)(1) & (a)(3).)
On appeal from a trial court’s order granting or denying a request to vacate an
arbitration award, our review is de novo. (SWAB Financial, LLC v. E*Trade Securities,
LLC (2007) 150 Cal. App. 4th 1181, 1196.) However, we apply the substantial evidence
test to the trial court’s ruling to the extent it rests upon a determination of disputed factual
issues. (Ibid.)
When determining whether an arbitrator has exceeded his or her powers, we must
“display substantial deference towards the arbitrator’s determination of his or her
contractual authority. [Citations.]” (Jones v. Humanscale Corp. (2005) 130 Cal. App. 4th
401, 408.) “All reasonable inferences must be drawn in support of the award.
[Citation.]” (Ibid.)
II. The award did not exceed the arbitrator’s powers
Contractual arbitration allows the parties to an arbitration agreement to define the
powers of the arbitrator. (Century City Medical Plaza v. Sperling, Isaacs & Eisenberg
(2001) 86 Cal. App. 4th 865, 875.) “‘“The powers of an arbitrator derive from, and are
limited by, the agreement to arbitrate. [Citations.]”’” (Hotels Nevada, LLC v. L.A.
Pacific Center, Inc. (2012) 203 Cal. App. 4th 336, 351.) Thus, we begin our discussion of
the arbitrator’s powers by reviewing the relevant arbitration agreement, which provides
that:
“Claims, disputes or other matters in question between the parties to
this Agreement arising out of or relating to this Agreement or breach
thereof shall be subject to and decided by arbitration . . . unless the parties
mutually agree otherwise.”
5
We note that the language of the arbitration agreement is broad, covering disputes
not only arising out of the contract in question but disputes “relating to” the agreement.
Under the plain language of the contract, it is within the power of the arbitrator to
determine issues relating to an implied-in-fact contract arising out of or relating to the
architect/client relationship created by this written contract between the parties.
In spite of the broad language of the arbitration agreement, appellants argue that
the existence of an implied contract was not an issue submitted to the arbitrator for
resolution, nor was it within the scope of his powers. Appellants cite Moncharsh, supra,
3 Cal.4th at page 28 as authority for their position that an arbitrator only has power to
resolve the merits of the controversy submitted to him. However, Moncharsh does not
support appellants’ position that the arbitrator exceeded his power in this case.
In Moncharsh, the dispute concerned a division of attorney fees between an
attorney and his former law firm. The arbitrator ruled in the law firm’s favor, finding that
the attorney had an obligation to split the attorney fees as set forth in the contractual
agreement between the parties. (Moncharsch, supra, 3 Cal.4th at pp. 7-8.) The attorney
appealed from the arbitrator’s decision, arguing, among other things, that the arbitrator
exceeded his authority.
The Moncharsh court began with a general discussion of arbitral finality, setting
forth the general rule that “with narrow exceptions, an arbitrator’s decision cannot be
reviewed for errors of fact or law.” (Moncharsh, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 11.) As to the
attorney’s claim that the arbitrator exceeded his powers, the high court disagreed,
explaining: “It is well settled that ‘arbitrators do not exceed their powers merely because
they assign an erroneous reason for their decision.’ [Citations.]” (Id. at p. 28.) Thus, to
the extent that Moncharsh was arguing that the arbitrator exceeded his powers “merely
because the arbitrator reached an erroneous decision,” the court rejected his argument.
(Ibid.)
The Moncharsh court further explained: “[I]t is within the ‘powers’ of the
arbitrator to resolve the entire ‘merits’ of the ‘controversy submitted’ by the parties.
[Citation.] Obviously, the ‘merits’ include all the contested issues of law and fact
6
submitted to the arbitrator for decision.” (Moncharsh, supra, 3 Cal.4th at p. 28.) Where,
as here, the arbitration agreement covers all disputes “arising out of” the contract, issues
regarding the payment of fees do not fall beyond the scope of the agreement. (Ibid.)
“Under these circumstances, the arbitrator was within his ‘powers’ in resolving the
questions of law presented to him.” (Ibid.)
Contrary to appellants’ argument, the Moncharsh case supports a finding that the
arbitrator acted within his powers when he made a finding that an implied contract
existed between the parties based on the acts and conduct of the parties. The architect/
client relationship between the parties arose out of the master agreement for the
properties. Thus, it was within the arbitrator’s powers to decide controversies related to
that relationship -- including the controversy over whether respondent provided
architectural services for which appellants owed him money.
Appellants also cite Cobler v. Stanley, Barber, Southard, Brown & Associates
(1990) 217 Cal. App. 3d 518 (Cobler), which involved a dispute between a professional
career consulting agency and a former client of the agency. In an appeal from an
arbitration award in favor of the former client, the agency argued that the arbitrator acted
in excess of his jurisdiction in awarding tort damages for emotional distress in excess of
the contract damages pled in the arbitration demands. The Court of Appeal agreed, and
reversed the trial court’s judgment in part with directions to vacate the portion of the
award for emotional distress. (Id. at pp. 532-534.)
The Cobler court noted that the arbitration agreement at issue there was narrow in
scope, certainly more narrow than the one before us in this matter. The Cobler
arbitration agreement provided: “‘Should there be a dispute arising from this Agreement,
it is mutually agreed that it shall be promptly settled through binding arbitration in
accordance with the rules of the [AAA].’” (Cobler, supra, 217 Cal.App.3d at p. 530.)
The court explained:
“This type of arbitration clause is generally considered to be more
limited in scope than would be, for example, a clause agreeing to arbitrate
‘“any controversy . . . arising out of or relating to this agreement,”’ which
7
might thus cover misconduct arising out of the agreement as well as
contractual issues. [Citation.]”
(Cobler, supra, 217 Cal.App.3d at p. 530.)
The court went on to conclude that because that particular arbitration agreement
was very limited, the only basis for tort damages would have been in any tort issues
properly submitted to the arbitrator. (Cobler, supra, 217 Cal.App.3d at p. 531.) The
pleadings raised only contract issues, therefore there was no basis for an award of
emotional distress damages.
The matter before us is distinguishable. First, the arbitration agreement at issue
here contains broader language than was found in the arbitration agreement at issue in
Cobler. Here, the agreement covers “Claims, disputes or other matters in question
between the parties to this Agreement arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
breach thereof.” Thus, the scope of the arbitrator’s power was very broad: he could
handle disputes arising out of the agreement or simply relating to the agreement in some
way.
In addition, unlike the situation in Cobler, here the complaint specifically sought
money owed for professional services. The complaint provided that: “[Respondent]
seeks to recover monies owed to him by [appellants] in connection with professional
architectural and engineering design services . . . .” This claim for money owed was not
limited to the written contracts between the parties. Respondent also sought fees on a
theory of quantum meruit. He argued that his “time, effort, work, investment and
expense . . . had and has independent value, value which [appellants] have exploited and
capitalized upon for themselves.” In addition, respondent argued that “[i]t is unfair and
inequitable to allow [appellants] to benefit from [respondent’s] work, time, effort,
investment and expense without compensation to him.” Respondent sought not only
contractual damages but “damages in the amount of the fair and just value of [his] work,
time, effort, investment and expense” and “[f]or such other and further relief as the court
deems just, appropriate and proper.” Therefore, not only did the arbitrator possess broad
8
powers to arbitrate claims relating to the contracts, respondent also framed his claims
expansively enough to encompass the theory of an implied-in-fact contract.
Hall is instructive. In Hall, sellers of real property sued two individuals as brokers
and agents for the seller’s property. Although the complaint did not allege a partnership
between the two individuals, it alleged that each acted as agent for the other. (Hall,
supra, 18 Cal.App.4th at p. 430.) Ultimately the arbitrator ruled in the sellers’ favor,
finding that the two individuals were partners who were required to share the liabilities.
(Id. at p. 432.) One of the individual defendants sought to vacate the arbitrator’s award,
arguing that the arbitrator exceeded his jurisdiction by determining the partnership issue,
which the pleadings did not raise.
The trial court vacated the award, but the Court of Appeal reversed. The Court of
Appeal rejected the notion that “a civil complaint filed before invocation of an arbitration
clause limits the scope of private arbitration.” (Hall, supra, 18 Cal.App.4th at p. 435.)
Instead, an arbitrator derives his power solely from the arbitration agreement. (Id. at p.
436.) It is for the arbitrator to decide what issues are actually necessary to the ultimate
decision. (Ibid.) Thus, the complaint in this matter cannot serve to restrict the scope of
the arbitrator’s power. Instead, the scope of the arbitrator’s power must be determined
from the broadly worded arbitration agreement.
In addition, contrary to appellants’ arguments, the award was rationally related to
the contracts at issue. (Jordan v. Department of Motor Vehicles (2002) 100 Cal. App. 4th
431, 443 [an arbitrator exceeds his powers when he fashions a remedy that is not
rationally related to the contract].) The contracts -- both written and implied -- provided
that appellants would compensate respondent for architectural services. The arbitrator’s
award listed the damages in specific categories: schematic design/design development of
the office building; design/construction of the custom home; and remodeling. Amounts
previously paid were taken into consideration. In view of the arbitrator’s careful
reasoning, we reject appellants’ position that the award was not rationally related to the
contracts.
9
In sum, appellants have failed to show that the arbitrator acted in excess of his
powers in issuing the award.
III. The arbitrator did not commit misconduct
A court may vacate an arbitration award if it finds that “[t]he rights of the party
were substantially prejudiced by misconduct of a neutral arbitrator.” (§ 1286.2, subd.
(a)(3).) Appellants argue that the arbitrator committed misconduct by allowing
respondent to assert the implied-in-fact contract theory after the completion of the
evidence. Appellants complain that the only mention of an implied-in-fact contract
theory was in respondents’ posthearing brief. Before that, appellants argue, there was not
the slightest hint that respondent sought damages on an implied-in-fact contract.
Appellants cite no authority suggesting that the arbitrator’s act of considering a
theory of implied-in-fact contract may be categorized as misconduct under section
1286.2, subdivision (a)(3). Appellants cite Engalla v. Permanente Medical Group, Inc.
(1997) 15 Cal. 4th 951, which involved a health plan’s fraudulent conduct in making
misrepresentations regarding the expeditiousness of its arbitration system and engaging in
dilatory conduct to postpone arbitration until after the patient’s death. The case does not
support appellants’ theory of misconduct in this matter. Numerous other cases cited by
appellants do not involve arbitration at all. (Garamendi v. Golden Eagle Ins. Co. (2004)
116 Cal. App. 4th 694, 706; Burtnett v. King (1949) 33 Cal. 2d 805; Rainer v. Community
Memorial Hosp. (1971) 18 Cal. App. 3d 240; Duchrow v. Forrest (2013) 215 Cal. App. 4th
1359; City of Stanton v. Cox (1989) 207 Cal. App. 3d 1557; Tri-Delta Engineering, Inc. v.
Insurance Co. of North America (1978) 80 Cal. App. 3d 752.) Nor do these cases support
appellants’ theory of misconduct.
The arbitrator did not commit misconduct by considering a theory of recovery not
specifically spelled out in the complaint. As set forth above, the complaint cannot limit
the scope of arbitration. (Hall, supra, 18 Cal.App.4th at p. 435.) Furthermore, even if
respondent’s claims against appellants were limited to those set forth in the complaint,
appellants had ample notice that respondent was seeking compensation for his
10
professional services, and that such claims were not confined to the three written
contracts.
Consideration of the theory of implied-in-fact contract was well within the
arbitrator’s powers, and we do not second guess that decision by the arbitrator, regardless
of the timing. (Moncharsh, supra, 3 Cal.4th at pp. 11-12 [we do not review an arbitration
award for legal or factual error].)1
IV. Appellants have failed to show fraud
A court may vacate an arbitration award if “[t]he award was procured by
corruption, fraud or other undue means.” (§ 1286.2, subd. (a)(1).) Appellants argue that
by raising the implied-in-fact contract theory for the first time in his postarbitration brief,
respondent deprived appellants of an opportunity to present evidence to the arbitrator on
that issue.
Appellants rely heavily on Pacific Crown Distributors v. Brotherhood of
Teamsters (1986) 183 Cal. App. 3d 1138 (Pacific). Pacific involved an arbitration
concerning an employee dismissal. Prior to the arbitration, both appellant and respondent
stipulated that the only issue being submitted to the arbitrator was whether or not the
discharge of the employee was in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement,
and if not, the appropriate remedy. (Id. at p. 1142.) One particular provision of the
collective bargaining agreement, section 9.2(1), provided that an employee would be
allowed to remain on the job without loss of pay until the employee’s discharge was
sustained under the grievance procedure. (Ibid.) At the time of the arbitration at issue, it
was not clear whether section 9.2(1) was in effect. However, the parties made an
agreement whereby section 9.2(1) would be reinserted into the collective bargaining
agreement, but would not be applied in the termination arbitration hearing at issue. (Id. at
p. 1142, fn. 1.)
1 Because we have found that appellants have failed to show misconduct on the part
of the arbitrator, we need not address their claims of substantial prejudice. (§ 1286.2,
subd. (a)(3).)
11
In spite of the parties’ express agreement that section 9.2(1) would not be raised in
the arbitration hearing, one of the parties raised the issue in its posthearing brief, arguing
that the provision was violated because the employee was not permitted to remain on the
job until the grievance procedure was finished. (Pacific, supra, 183 Cal.App.3d at pp.
1142-1143.) The arbitrator agreed, finding that (1) the discharge was in accordance with
the collective bargaining agreement, but (2) the employee was entitled to back pay for the
period commencing with the date of his termination and concluding with the date of the
decision. (Ibid.)
The trial court vacated the award of back pay, and the Court of Appeal affirmed,
finding that the arbitrator exceeded her power by going beyond the scope of the issue
submitted to her. The court noted that a party cannot be required to arbitrate an issue that
it has not agreed would be subject to arbitration. (Pacific, supra, 183 Cal.App.3d at p.
1143.) The court emphasized that it saw “no evidence that the arbitrator felt section
9.2(1) was necessary for the disposition of the issue submitted.” (Id. at p. 1145.)
While the Pacific court agreed that the appellant’s actions could be described as
fraud under section 1286.2, subdivision (a), the court emphasized that this was because
appellant knew of the prior agreement not to raise that provision during the arbitration:
“Because the appellant knew of the February 4, 1983 agreement [not
to raise section 9.2(1) in the arbitration proceeding], and did not raise the
section 92.(1) issue at the appropriate time (if, indeed, it could have been
raised at all), we find the trial court could construe such conduct as being
within the scope of Code of Civil Procedure section 1286.2, subdivision
(a).”
(Pacific, supra, 183 Cal.App.3d at p. 1149.)
The present matter is distinguishable from the situation in Pacific. As set forth
above, the arbitrator had broad power to consider all “[c]laims, disputes or other matters
in question between the parties to this Agreement arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or breach thereof.” This power was not limited by the pleadings -- nor was it
limited by any express agreement of the parties. In contrast to Pacific, the parties had no
written agreement not to raise the theory of implied-in-fact contract. Thus, Pacific does
12
not support a finding of fraud in this case. Under the circumstances, the trial court did
not err in determining that respondent’s conduct did not amount to fraud.
DISPOSITION
The judgment is affirmed.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS.
____________________________, J.
CHAVEZ
We concur:
__________________________, P. J.
BOREN
__________________________, J.
HOFFSTADT
13