Parties frequently include arbitration clauses in their construction documents. In such instances, when a dispute arises, the party with a claim may ultimately need to pursue it by filing a demand for arbitration. When the arbitration clause requires compliance with the American Arbitration Association’s ("AAA") Construction Industry Arbitration Rules, or another alternative dispute organization, the claimant can simply file a demand for arbitration with that organization. When the agreement does not specify an alternative dispute organization or a method for the initiation of arbitration, the claimant must rely upon the procedures set forth in the Mississippi Construction Arbitration Act ("the Act"), Miss. Code Ann. §§ 11-15-101, et seq. (Rev. 2004). Under the Act, the claimant shall:
…within the time specified by the contract, if any, file with the other party a notice of an intention to arbitrate which notice shall contain a statement setting forth the nature of the dispute, the amount involved, and the remedy sought….
According to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, such a "demand for arbitration" must be initiated within three (3) years from the time the cause of action accrues. This issue was addressed by the Court of Appeals in Haycraft v. Mid-State Construction Company, Inc. In that case, Haycraft filed suit against Mid-State sometime in 1994. Mid-State filed a motion to have Haycraft’s complaint dismissed because the agreement between the parties included a provision that permitted Mid-State to require arbitration. The court therefore dismissed Haycraft’s lawsuit.
Approximately six years later Haycraft filed an application for arbitration. Mid-State filed an objection to Haycraft’s demand for arbitration with the circuit court. The court found Haycraft’s application for arbitration untimely based upon the general three (3) year statute of limitation found at Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-49 (Rev. 2003). The Court of Appeals agreed and found Haycraft’s right to demand arbitration began when its cause of action accrued. It was therefore Haycraft’s obligation to initiate an application for arbitration within three (3) years from that date or its cause of action would be barred by the statute of limitation. Because Haycraft did not timely pursue its right to arbitrate, Haycraft’s claim was barred.
The key point to remember is that a claimant must act timely to preserve its right to arbitration. A demand or application for arbitration must be timely submitted to the opposing party or the claim’s right to relief may be barred by the three (3) year statute of limitation.
Parties frequently include arbitration clauses in their construction documents. In such instances, when a dispute arises, the party with a claim may ultimately need to pursue it by filing a demand for arbitration. When the arbitration clause requires compliance with the American Arbitration Association’s ("AAA") Construction Industry Arbitration Rules, or another alternative dispute organization, the claimant can simply file a demand for arbitration with that organization. When the agreement does not specify an alternative dispute organization or a method for the initiation of arbitration, the claimant must rely upon the procedures set forth in the Mississippi Construction Arbitration Act ("the Act"), Miss. Code Ann. §§ 11-15-101, et seq. (Rev. 2004). Under the Act, the claimant shall:
…within the time specified by the contract, if any, file with the other party a notice of an intention to arbitrate which notice shall contain a statement setting forth the nature of the dispute, the amount involved, and the remedy sought….
According to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, such a "demand for arbitration" must be initiated within three (3) years from the time the cause of action accrues. This issue was addressed by the Court of Appeals in Haycraft v. Mid-State Construction Company, Inc. In that case, Haycraft filed suit against Mid-State sometime in 1994. Mid-State filed a motion to have Haycraft’s complaint dismissed because the agreement between the parties included a provision that permitted Mid-State to require arbitration. The court therefore dismissed Haycraft’s lawsuit.
Approximately six years later Haycraft filed an application for arbitration. Mid-State filed an objection to Haycraft’s demand for arbitration with the circuit court. The court found Haycraft’s application for arbitration untimely based upon the general three (3) year statute of limitation found at Miss. Code Ann. §15-1-49 (Rev. 2003). The Court of Appeals agreed and found Haycraft’s right to demand arbitration began when its cause of action accrued. It was therefore Haycraft’s obligation to initiate an application for arbitration within three (3) years from that date or its cause of action would be barred by the statute of limitation. Because Haycraft did not timely pursue its right to arbitrate, Haycraft’s claim was barred.
The key point to remember is that a claimant must act timely to preserve its right to arbitration. A demand or application for arbitration must be timely submitted to the opposing party or the claim’s right to relief may be barred by the three (3) year statute of limitation.
