Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas v. James J. Juneau ( 2003 )

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-02-00545-CV
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Appellant
v.
James J. Juneau, Appellee
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 353RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. GN103764, HONORABLE SUZANNE COVINGTON, JUDGE PRESIDING
OPINION
This appeal arises from a suit by appellant Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (“Blue
Cross”) against appellee James J. Juneau, an arbitrator who, as a member of an arbitration panel,
rendered an award in favor of HealthCor Liquidation Trust (“HealthCor”) and against Blue Cross.
Blue Cross brought suit to vacate the award, naming HealthCor and the individual arbitrators,
including Juneau, as defendants. HealthCor removed the action to federal district court, which
severed the cause of action against HealthCor and remanded the suit against the arbitrators to the
state district court. Blue Cross nonsuited the other arbitrators and supplemented its original petition,
alleging that Juneau failed to disclose a previous relationship that Blue Cross contends affected the
arbitration process. Juneau, the only remaining defendant, filed a plea to the jurisdiction, which the
district court granted. We will affirm the district court’s order of dismissal.
BACKGROUND
Juneau and two other arbitrators associated with the American Arbitration
Association (“AAA”) were appointed to arbitrate a dispute between Blue Cross and HealthCor. In
1999 HealthCor had declared bankruptcy, and the various entities comprising HealthCor were
consolidated into the liquidation trust. HealthCor then filed an adversary proceeding in bankruptcy
court against Blue Cross, alleging that Blue Cross had failed to pay for contracted medical services
and supplies rendered to patients insured by Blue Cross. After the bankruptcy court dismissed the
case, HealthCor moved for arbitration against Blue Cross before an AAA panel, as provided by the
Blue Cross-HealthCor contract. The arbitration panel conducted a full evidentiary hearing and
unanimously awarded HealthCor damages against Blue Cross.
Blue Cross filed this suit against HealthCor and the arbitrators in district court,
seeking to vacate or modify the award. Blue Cross alleged that the award was the result of “gross
mistake” committed by the arbitration panel. HealthCor removed the case to federal district court,
where HealthCor’s claim to modify or vacate the award was severed and transferred to bankruptcy
court. The federal district court remanded Blue Cross’s claims against the individual arbitrators,
citing no federal jurisdiction. Blue Cross Blue Shield v. HealthCor Liquidation Trust, No. A-01-CA-
849-SS (W.D. Tex. Feb. 12, 2002) (final order of transfer and remand). The bankruptcy court
initially upheld the arbitration award. See Herzog v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tex., Inc. (In re
HealthCor Holdings, Inc.), No. 01-3685 (Bankr. N.D. Tex. Mar. 13, 2002) (opinion on motions for
summary judgment). However, after deposing Juneau on April 3, 2002, Blue Cross petitioned the
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bankruptcy court to alter its judgment; the court granted a hearing “solely on [Blue Cross’s]
defensive issue of possible evident partiality of the arbitrator.” Id., No. 01-3685 (Bankr. N.D. Tex.
May 10, 2002) (order on Blue Cross’s motion to alter judgment, granting new trial on issue of
arbitrator partiality); see also Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 171.088(a)(2)(A) (West Supp.
2003). Before any hearing, HealthCor and Blue Cross settled their dispute. Blue Cross then
nonsuited two arbitrators in the state-court action, leaving only Juneau. By a supplemental petition,
Blue Cross alleged that Juneau had failed to disclose a prior relationship with a HealthCor attorney
involved in the arbitration process. Blue Cross argued that, had it known of the relationship before
arbitration began, Blue Cross would have sought Juneau’s disqualification.
Blue Cross’s allegations against Juneau stem from his prior relationship with Jeffrey
Seckel, an attorney employed by HealthCor. The parties dispute the facts surrounding Blue Cross’s
discovery of the relationship. As part of Juneau’s acceptance of appointment to arbitrate, Juneau
indicated in writing, before the arbitration process began, that he had nothing to disclose that might
hinder his impartiality.1 After the arbitration panel rendered its decision and Blue Cross’s attempts
1
The “Notice of Appointment” stated:
It is most important that the parties have complete confidence in the arbitrator’s
impartiality. Therefore, please disclose any past or present relationship with the
parties or their counsel, direct or indirect, whether financial, professional, social
or of any other kind. If any relationships arise during the course of the arbitration
or if there is any change at any time in the biographical information that you have
provided to the AAA, it must also be disclosed. Any doubt should be resolved
in favor of disclosure. If you are aware of such a relationship, please describe it
below. The AAA will call the facts to the attention of the parties’ counsel.
3
to vacate the panel’s award failed, Blue Cross deposed Juneau. Juneau testified that apart from
working at the same Dallas firm as Seckel for a period during the 1980s, Juneau had no association
with Seckel. Juneau stated that while at the firm the two were associates in different sections,
located on different floors, and did not work together. Juneau testified that he could not recall
whether Seckel was in the same associate class, but that he did not have regular contact with Seckel.
This relationship, Juneau argues, was not something that required disclosure because it would not
affect his impartiality.
Juneau alleges that at the time he made the written statement indicating that he had
nothing to disclose, Seckel was not representing HealthCor, and none of the arbitrators knew of
Seckel’s participation. Juneau states that after he discovered that Seckel was involved with the case,
he made an “immediate verbal disclosure [of the relationship] . . . to counsel for all parties” during
a prearbitration teleconference. Juneau alleges that after the disclosure, Blue Cross offered no
objection to his remaining as an arbitrator. Blue Cross rejoins that Juneau breached his duty to
disclose “before he became an arbitrator for HealthCor” and that no disclosure occurred during the
teleconference. Juneau filed a plea to the jurisdiction, alleging that Blue Cross’s claims were barred
by the doctrine of “judicial immunity.” The district court agreed and dismissed Blue Cross’s claims
against Juneau for want of subject-matter jurisdiction. Blue Cross appeals.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Subject-matter jurisdiction is essential to the authority of a court to decide a case.
Rylander v. Caldwell, 23 S.W.3d 132, 135 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, no pet.) (citing Texas Ass’n
4
of Bus. v. Texas Air Control Bd., 852 S.W.2d 440, 443 (Tex. 1993)). “A plea to the jurisdiction
challenges the trial court’s authority to determine the subject matter of a specific cause of action.”
Id. (citing Texas State Employees Union/CWA Local 6184 v. Texas Workforce Comm’n, 16 S.W.3d
61, 65 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, no pet.)). In order to prevail, the party asserting the plea to the
jurisdiction must show that even if all the allegations in the plaintiff’s pleadings are taken as true,
there is an incurable jurisdictional defect apparent from the face of the pleadings, rendering it
impossible for the plaintiff’s petition to confer jurisdiction on the trial court. See id.
Because subject-matter jurisdiction presents a question of law, we review the district
court’s decision de novo. Id. In reviewing a trial court’s ruling on a plea to the jurisdiction, we do
not look at the merits of the case; rather, we “construe the pleadings in favor of the plaintiff,” look
to the pleader’s intent, and accept the pleadings’ factual allegations as true. Id. “The truth of the
plaintiff’s allegations is at issue only if the defendant pleads and proves that the allegations were
fraudulently made to confer jurisdiction on the court.” Id. Further, “a court deciding a plea to the
jurisdiction is not required to look solely to the pleadings but may consider evidence and must do
so when necessary to resolve the jurisdictional issues raised.” Bland ISD v. Blue, 34 S.W.3d 547,
555 (Tex. 2000).
DISCUSSION
By its only issue, Blue Cross argues that the district court erred in sustaining Juneau’s
plea to the jurisdiction and dismissing the case. Specifically, Blue Cross argues that if there is
arbitral immunity, an issue not yet decided by Texas courts, then this Court should adopt a functional
5
approach instead of granting arbitrators absolute immunity. Blue Cross posits that under a functional
approach, Juneau would not be immune from this cause of action. Juneau contends that the district
court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction because: (1) there existed no justiciable case or controversy
between Blue Cross and the individual arbitrators and (2) the doctrine of arbitral immunity barred
Blue Cross’s claims.
Arbitral Immunity
The district court granted Juneau’s plea to the jurisdiction based on arbitral immunity,
which is a form of immunity yet to be recognized by Texas courts. This immunity, Juneau argues,
protects arbitrators from suit for actions taken during the course and scope of an arbitration, and
therefore the district court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction to hear the case. Blue Cross argues that
although there may be immunity for arbitrators, a functional approach instead of an absolute
approach to immunity should be followed. By applying the functional approach, Blue Cross
contends that Juneau would not be immune for his failure to disclose his relationship with Seckel.
Arbitral immunity is derived from judicial immunity, which establishes that judges
are absolutely immune from personal liability for judicial acts that are not performed in clear absence
of all jurisdiction, regardless of how erroneous the act, or how evil the motive. Stump v. Sparkman,
435 U.S. 349, 355-56 (1978). Persons whose responsibilities are “functionally comparable” to those
of a judge are likewise immune from liability. Butz v. Economu, 438 U.S. 478, 510-13 (1978)
(immunity extended to executive-branch officials). In Butz, the Court identified a nonexhaustive list
of factors to determine whether an agency and its members performed “quasi-judicial” functions
entitling them to immunity:
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1. the need to assure that the individual can perform his functions without
harassment or intimidation;
2. the presence of safeguards that reduce the need for private damages actions as a
means of controlling unconstitutional conduct;
3. insulation from political influence;
4. the importance of precedence;
5. the adversary nature of the process; and
6. the correctability of error on appeal.
Id. at 512. The rationale behind the Supreme Court’s decision is that the independence necessary
for principled and fearless decision making can best be preserved by protecting these persons from
bias or intimidation caused by the fear of a lawsuit arising out of the exercise of official functions
within their jurisdiction. Id. at 508-11. The Court stated that immunity is not extended to
individuals because of their particular location in government but because of the special nature of
their responsibilities. Id. at 511.
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has stated that “[l]ike judicial and quasi-judicial
immunity, arbitral immunity is necessary to protect decisionmakers from undue influence, and the
decision-making process from attack by dissatisfied litigants.” Olson v. National Ass’n of Sec.
Dealers, 85 F.3d 381, 382 (8th Cir. 1996). In Olson, Olson sued an arbitrator and an arbitration
association for the association’s appointment of an arbitrator who had an ongoing business
relationship with Olson’s employer, and adversary. Id. The Olson court held that “[b]ecause an
arbitrator’s role is functionally equivalent to a judge’s role, [federal] courts of appeals have
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uniformly extended judicial and quasi-judicial immunity to arbitrators.”2 Id. Additionally, the court
concluded that such immunity extended to the arbitration association. Id. On appeal, Olson argued
that the arbitration association’s appointment of the arbitrator occurred before the decision-making
process began and thus was not within the scope of the arbitral process. Id. at 383. The court,
however, held that the appointment of arbitrators was a part of the arbitral process. Id.
In Corey v. New York Stock Exchange, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that
an arbitral organization, acting through its arbitrators, was immune from suit. 691 F.2d 1205 (6th
Cir. 1982); see also Tamari v. Conrad, 552 F.2d 778, 780 (7th Cir. 1977). The Corey court
recognized the existence of “certain persons whose special functions require a full exemption from
liability for acts committed within the scope of their duties,” and that the arbitrators’ duties were
functionally equivalent to those of judges. Corey, 691 F.2d at 1209. The court opined that sufficient
safeguards exist to protect the participants and the integrity of the arbitration proceedings, including:
(1) the proceedings resembled adversarial judicial proceedings with a right to counsel and discovery,
(2) the right of judicial review by a district court with the option of vacating or modifying the award,
and (3) the arbitration proceeding was a voluntary means of dispute resolution. Id. “In light of these
safeguards, the risk of a wrongful act by the arbitrators is outweighed by the need for preserving the
2
The Olson court relied on the following cases: Austern v. Chicago Bd. Options Exch., Inc.,
898 F.2d 882, 886 (2d Cir. 1990); Wasyl, Inc. v. First Boston Corp., 813 F.2d 1579, 1582 (9th Cir.
1987); Ozark Air Lines, Inc. v. National Mediation Bd., 797 F.2d 557, 563-64 (8th Cir. 1986);
Shrader v. National Ass’n of Sec. Dealers, Inc., 855 F. Supp. 122, 123-24 (E.D.N.C. 1994), aff’d per
curiam, 54 F.3d 774 (4th Cir. 1995) (unpublished table decision). Olson v. National Ass’n of Sec.
Dealers, 85 F.3d 381, 382 (8th Cir. 1996). To this list we add: New England Cleaning Servs. v.
American Arbitration Ass’n, 199 F.3d 542, 545 (1st Cir. 1999); Hawkins v. National Ass’n of Sec.
Dealers Inc., 149 F.3d 330, 332 (5th Cir. 1998).
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independence of their decision-making.” Id. at 1210. Various state courts have similarly held that
arbitrators, acting in their official capacity, possess a quasi-judicial immunity.3
In support of its argument for a “functional approach” to immunity, Blue Cross cites
Forrester v. White, 484 U.S. 219 (1988). However, we believe that the rationale supporting judicial
immunity offered by the Supreme Court in Forrester supports Juneau’s argument. In Forrester,
Judge White, an Illinois state judge who had the ancillary duty of hiring probation officers, was sued
for discrimination under the Civil Rights Acts of 1871, after terminating a probation officer’s
position. Id. at 221 (citing 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983 (West 1994)). On appeal, Judge White argued that
his actions were protected by judicial immunity, but the Supreme Court disagreed, holding that Judge
White’s employment action was not a protected judicial function. Id. at 222, 230. The Court opined
that “immunity is justified and defined by the functions it protects and serves, not by the person to
whom it attaches.” Id. at 227. The Court stated that Judge White’s decision was an “administrative”
decision and not “judicial or adjudicative.” Id. at 229. Judge White’s action in Forrester is clearly
distinguishable from Juneau’s alleged inaction. Juneau’s disclosure requirement was not an
administrative act independent of the arbitration proceeding. Rather, Juneau’s disclosure
requirement was a function of his position as an arbitrator. See Olson, 85 F.3d at 383 (failure to
3
See Feichtinger v. Conant, 893 P.2d 1266, 1267 (Alaska 1995); L & H Airco, Inc. v.
Rapistan Corp., 446 N.W.2d 372, 376 (Minn. 1989) (suit against arbitrator for failure to disclose
prior business or social contacts precluded by arbitral immunity); Garcia v. Wayne Homes, LLC,
2002 Ohio App. LEXIS 1917, at *61-63 (Ohio Ct. App. 2002); Higdon v. Construction Arbitration
Assocs., Ltd., 71 S.W.3d 131, 132 (Ky. Ct. App. 2002); Boraks v. American Arbitration Ass’n, 517
N.W.2d 771, 772 (Mich. Ct. App. 1994); see also Barr v. Tigerman, 189 Cal. Rptr. 834, 839 (Cal.
Ct. App. 1983) (arbitral immunity protects arbitrators from civil liability for actions taken in
arbitrator’s quasi-judicial capacity but not for arbitrator’s failure to comply with arbitration contract).
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disclose relationship before decision-making process began was part of arbitration administration
and protected by arbitral immunity). Applying the reasoning in Forrester, Juneau is immune from
suit because the disclosure requirement was directly related to his function as an arbitrator. As the
Supreme Court stated in Forrester, “Most judicial mistakes or wrongs are open to correction through
ordinary mechanisms of review.” Id. at 227. The civil-practice-and-remedies code provides Blue
Cross with such a review mechanism. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 171.098 (West Supp.
2003) (Texas Arbitration Act permits appeals of arbitration award in limited circumstances).
We believe that Texas public policy favors the extension of immunity to arbitrators.
Independence of judgment and freedom from the threat of lawsuits initiated by dissatisfied parties
are essential to the success of the arbitration process. Because Texas encourages arbitration and
arbitrators are essential actors in furtherance of that policy, it is appropriate that immunity be
extended to arbitrators for acts within the scope of their duties. See Prudential Sec., Inc. v. Marshall,
909 S.W.2d 896, 898 (Tex. 1995); see also New England Cleaning Servs. v. American Arbitration
Ass’n, 199 F.3d 542, 546 (1st Cir. 1999) (“[r]eluctance by the AAA or similar organization to
arrange arbitrations would impede the implementation of federal policy favoring arbitration of labor
disputes”). The extension of immunity to arbitrators pursuant to the parties’ private arbitration
agreement is especially compelling because arbitration is the means the parties selected for disposing
of controversies between them. Corey, 691 F.2d at 1211. By immunizing arbitrators and their
decisions from collateral attacks, the parties’ contractual choice for arbitration is respected, yet the
arbitrators are protected from suits by disgruntled parties. Arbitrators have no interest in the
outcome of the dispute and should not be compelled to become parties to it. Tamari, 552 F.2d at
10
781. An aggrieved party alleging a due-process violation in the conduct of the proceedings, fraud,
misconduct, a violation of public policy, or lack of jurisdiction by arbitrators may pursue remedies
against the “real” adversary through the appeal process. Corey, 691 F.2d at 1211. We agree with
the reasoning of the Minnesota Supreme Court in finding that arbitrators should be clothed with
immunity:
Failure to disclose possible conflicts of interest creates at the least an impression of
bias. An impression of bias contaminates the decision making process when
neutrality is essential and is not condoned by this court. Nevertheless, we decline to
permit a civil suit against the arbitrator for failure to disclose prior business or social
contacts because of our policy of encouraging arbitration and of protecting the
independence of the decision made. Permitting civil suit for lapse in disclosure
would chill the willingness of arbitrators to serve because of the difficulty of
remembering all contacts, however remote, with parties to the arbitration.
L & H Airco, Inc. v. Rapistan Corp., 446 N.W.2d 372, 377 (Minn. 1989).
For these reasons we hold that arbitral immunity is essential to the maintenance of
arbitration by contractual agreement as a viable alternative to the judicial process for the settlement
of controversies and apply the doctrine here. We overrule Blue Cross’s issue.
Preemption
Even if Juneau is not protected by the doctrine of arbitral immunity, Blue Cross’s
appeal still fails. In seeking a reversal of the district court’s grant of Juneau’s plea to the jurisdiction,
Blue Cross is attempting to circumvent the arbitration act and indirectly attack the panel’s award.
See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 171.088 (West Supp. 2003). In its brief, Blue Cross states
that it is not seeking to vacate or modify the arbitration award but desires “to recover . . . the
11
attorney’s fees and expenses incurred” as the result of discovering and briefing Juneau’s
“nondisclosure/misrepresentation.” However, in its original petition, Blue Cross sought to vacate
or modify the award. See id. Blue Cross’s original petition alleged that the panel’s award was
“arbitrary and capricious, unsupported by the evidence, and exhibit[ed] a manifest disregard for both
the law and facts . . . [and] appears to be the result of bias or prejudice on behalf of the arbitrators.”
In a supplemental petition, Blue Cross argued that Juneau engaged in intentional or negligent
misrepresentation and that the award should be modified or vacated. Additionally, both petitions
requested “such other relief, both legal and equitable, to which [Blue Cross] may show itself justly
entitled.”4
Arbitration is generally a contractual proceeding by which the parties to a controversy,
in order to obtain a speedy and inexpensive final disposition of the disputed matter, select arbitrators
or judges of their own choice, and by consent submit the controversy to these arbitrators for
determination. Manes v. Dallas Baptist Coll., 638 S.W.2d 143, 145 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1982, writ
ref’d n.r.e.). The parties’ contract provided for the arbitration of their dispute. Texas law favors the
arbitration of disputes. Marshall, 909 S.W.2d at 898; Brazoria County v. Knutson, 176 S.W.2d 740,
743 (Tex. 1943). An arbitration panel’s award is entitled to great deference in a court of law, lest
disappointed litigants seek to overturn every unfavorable arbitration award. Daniewicz v. Thermo
Instrument Sys., Inc., 992 S.W.2d 713, 716 (Tex. App.—Austin 1999, pet. denied). Accordingly,
every reasonable presumption will be indulged to uphold the arbitration proceeding. Id.
4
At oral argument, Blue Cross argued that such general prayer permits its suit for damages
associated with Juneau’s nondisclosure.
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Because HealthCor sought arbitration of its dispute with Blue Cross pursuant to the
arbitration clause in their contract, Blue Cross’s action is governed by the Texas Arbitration Act.5
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 171.001; L.H. Lacy Co. v. City of Lubbock, 559 S.W.2d 348,
351 (Tex. 1977). The act provides that an appeal from a judgment can only be taken in five
instances: (1) denial of an application to compel arbitration; (2) granting an application to stay
arbitration; (3) confirming or denying confirmation of an award; (4) modifying or correcting an
award; or (5) vacating an award without directing a rehearing. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann.
§ 171.098. Section 171.088 states in relevant part:
(a) On application of a party, the court shall vacate an award if:
(1) the award was obtained by corruption, fraud, or other undue means;
(2) the rights of a party were prejudiced by:
(A) evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral arbitrator;
(B) corruption in an arbitrator; or
(C) misconduct or wilful misbehavior of an arbitrator;
5
Two coexisting schemes govern arbitration in Texas: common-law arbitration and the
Texas Arbitration Act. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §§ 171.001-.098 (West Supp. 2003); Lee
v. El Paso County, 965 S.W.2d 668, 671-72 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1998, pet. denied) (“Absent an
allegation of a statutory or common law ground to vacate or modify an arbitration award, a reviewing
court lacks jurisdiction to review the arbitrator’s decision.”). However, the legislature did not intend
for the act to supplant common-law arbitration; indeed, if an arbitration award is not within the
requirements of the act, the award may still be valid if it complies with common-law arbitration
requirements. L.H. Lacy Co. v. City of Lubbock, 559 S.W.2d 348, 351 (Tex. 1977). Under the
common law, the procedures are more restrictive. The common law provides for three instances in
which an arbitration award can be overturned: evidence of (1) fraud, (2) mistake, or (3) misconduct.
Id. at 352.
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(3) the arbitrators:
(A) exceeded their powers;
(B) refused to postpone the hearing after a showing of sufficient cause for
the postponement;
(C) refused to hear evidence material to the controversy; or
(D) conducted the hearing, contrary to [various sections in the Act]; or
(4) there was no agreement to arbitrate, the issue was not adversely determined
in a proceeding under Subchapter B, and the party did not participate in the
arbitration hearing without raising the objection.
Id. § 171.088. Absent a statutory ground to vacate or modify an arbitration award, a reviewing court
lacks jurisdiction to review other complaints about the arbitration, including the sufficiency of the
evidence supporting the award. J.J. Gregory Gourmet Servs., Inc. v. Antone’s Imp. Co., 927 S.W.2d
31, 33 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1995, no writ); Powell v. Gulf Coast Carriers, Inc., 872
S.W.2d 22, 24 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, no writ).
The Act’s provisions afforded Blue Cross a sufficient mechanism to vacate the
arbitration award on the theory that Juneau’s impartiality was compromised. An award under the
Act may be vacated if a party establishes “evident partiality” on the part of an arbitrator.6 Tex. Civ.
6
In Mariner Financial, the supreme court stated that: “a neutral arbitrator . . . exhibits
evident partiality . . . if the arbitrator does not disclose facts which might, to an objective observer,
create a reasonable impression of the arbitrator’s partiality.” Mariner Fin. Group v. H.G. Bossley,
79 S.W.3d 30, 32 (Tex. 2002) (quoting Burlington N. R.R. Co. v. TUCO, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 629, 630
(Tex. 1997)). Further, the court noted that under this test, “the consequences for nondisclosure are
directly tied to the materiality of the unrevealed information.” Id. However, the court in TUCO held
that “a neutral arbitrator need not disclose relationships or connections that are trivial,” but the
arbitrator should make such disclosure. TUCO, 960 S.W.2d at 637. A similar standard is recognized
under the Federal Arbitration Act. International Bank of Commerce-Brownsville v. International
14
Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 171.088(a)(2)(A); Mariner Fin. Group, Inc. v. H.G. Bossley, 79 S.W.3d
30, 32 (Tex. 2002) (citing Burlington N. R.R. Co. v. TUCO, Inc., 960 S.W.2d 629, 631-32 (Tex.
1997)). Therefore, Blue Cross had an opportunity to contest Juneau’s impartiality through its motion
to vacate. When the motion to vacate proved unsuccessful, Blue Cross may not otherwise
collaterally attack the award.
Further, a party must make an application to vacate the award no later than the
ninetieth day after the date of delivery of a copy of the award to the applicant. Tex. Civ. Prac. &
Rem. Code Ann. § 171.088(b). That section 171.088 provides the exclusive remedy to contest an
award is consistent with subsection (b). See id. To permit a collateral attack asserting claims against
an arbitrator outside the statutory time period would render this provision meaningless. Finally,
subsection (c) requires the court to confirm the award if no motion to modify or correct the award
is pending. Id. § 171.088(c).
Blue Cross’s only avenue for vacating the award existed under section 171.088. Id.
§ 171.088. A suit against an individual arbitrator is not contemplated by the arbitration act. To
permit a cause of action against an arbitrator, in addition to the possibility of vacating the award,
would contravene the purpose of arbitration. Speed, cost savings, and a final determination would
no longer characterize an arbitration proceeding. Instead, a disgruntled party could circumvent the
act and seek relief outside the statutory limitations, rendering meaningless the notion that parties can
Energy Dev. Corp., 981 S.W.2d 38, 44 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1998, pet. denied), cert. denied,
520 U.S. 1137 (2000) (to warrant relief from arbitration award under Federal Arbitration Act,
arbitrator’s partiality must be “direct, definite, and capable of demonstration rather than remote,
uncertain or speculative”).
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contract to be bound to an arbitrated judgment.7 In light of the Texas Arbitration Act’s purpose, its
procedures to vacate an arbitration award, and the strong deference afforded arbitration judgments,
we hold that an application to vacate the award for an arbitrator’s alleged misrepresentation or failure
to disclose a relationship is the exclusive remedy under the arbitration act. See id.
CONCLUSION
We overrule Blue Cross’s only issue on appeal and affirm the district-court grant of
Juneau’s plea to the jurisdiction.
__________________________________________
Lee Yeakel, Justice
Before Chief Justice Law, Justices B. A. Smith and Yeakel.
Affirmed
Filed: July 24, 2003
7
Juneau also contends that the AAA rules are incorporated into the parties’ agreement. Rule
R-50 states that “neither the AAA nor any arbitrator shall be liable to any party for any act,” which,
Juneau argues, should preclude Blue Cross’s action. Blue Cross rejoins that Juneau should not be
allowed to rely on this “contractually oriented affirmative defense” to uphold the plea to the
jurisdiction. By virtue of our ruling, we need not rely on this rationale.
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