Chapter 2711 | Arbitration

Section 2711.01 | Provision in contract for arbitration of controversies valid - exceptions.

• Effective: October 23, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 221 - 119th General Assembly

(A) A provision in any written contract, except as provided in division (B) of this section, to settle by arbitration a controversy that subsequently arises out of the contract, or out of the refusal to perform the whole or any part of the contract, or any agreement in writing between two or more persons to submit to arbitration any controversy existing between them at the time of the agreement to submit, or arising after the agreement to submit, from a relationship then existing between them or that they simultaneously create, shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, except upon grounds that exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract.

(B)(1) Sections 2711.01 to 2711.16 of the Revised Code do not apply to controversies involving the title to or the possession of real estate, with the following exceptions:

(a) Controversies involving the amount of increased or decreased valuation of the property at the termination of certain periods, as provided in a lease;

(b) Controversies involving the amount of rentals due under any lease;

(c) Controversies involving the determination of the value of improvements at the termination of any lease;

(d) Controversies involving the appraisal of property values in connection with making or renewing any lease;

(e) Controversies involving the boundaries of real estate.

(2) Sections 2711.01 to 2711.16 of the Revised Code do not apply to controversies involving international commercial arbitration or conciliation that are subject to Chapter 2712. of the Revised Code.

Section 2711.02 | Court may stay trial.

• Effective: March 15, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 401 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section and section 2711.03 of the Revised Code, "commercial construction contract" means any written contract or agreement for the construction of any improvement to real property, other than an improvement that is used or intended to be used as a single-family, two-family, or three-family detached dwelling house and accessory structures incidental to that use.

(B) If any action is brought upon any issue referable to arbitration under an agreement in writing for arbitration, the court in which the action is pending, upon being satisfied that the issue involved in the action is referable to arbitration under an agreement in writing for arbitration, shall on application of one of the parties stay the trial of the action until the arbitration of the issue has been had in accordance with the agreement, provided the applicant for the stay is not in default in proceeding with arbitration.

(C) Except as provided in division (D) of this section, an order under division (B) of this section that grants or denies a stay of a trial of any action pending arbitration, including, but not limited to, an order that is based upon a determination of the court that a party has waived arbitration under the arbitration agreement, is a final order and may be reviewed, affirmed, modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code.

(D) If an action is brought under division (B) of this section upon any issue referable to arbitration under an agreement in writing for arbitration that is included in a commercial construction contract, an order under that division that denies a stay of a trial of the action pending arbitration, including, but not limited to, an order that is based upon a determination of the court that a party has waived arbitration under the arbitration agreement, is a final order and may be reviewed, affirmed, modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code.

Section 2711.03 | Enforcing arbitration agreement.

• Effective: March 15, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 401 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) The party aggrieved by the alleged failure of another to perform under a written agreement for arbitration may petition any court of common pleas having jurisdiction of the party so failing to perform for an order directing that the arbitration proceed in the manner provided for in the written agreement. Five days' notice in writing of that petition shall be served upon the party in default. Service of the notice shall be made in the manner provided for the service of a summons. The court shall hear the parties, and, upon being satisfied that the making of the agreement for arbitration or the failure to comply with the agreement is not in issue, the court shall make an order directing the parties to proceed to arbitration in accordance with the agreement.

(B) If the making of the arbitration agreement or the failure to perform it is in issue in a petition filed under division (A) of this section, the court shall proceed summarily to the trial of that issue. If no jury trial is demanded as provided in this division, the court shall hear and determine that issue. Except as provided in division (C) of this section, if the issue of the making of the arbitration agreement or the failure to perform it is raised, either party, on or before the return day of the notice of the petition, may demand a jury trial of that issue. Upon the party's demand for a jury trial, the court shall make an order referring the issue to a jury called and impaneled in the manner provided in civil actions. If the jury finds that no agreement in writing for arbitration was made or that there is no default in proceeding under the agreement, the proceeding shall be dismissed. If the jury finds that an agreement for arbitration was made in writing and that there is a default in proceeding under the agreement, the court shall make an order summarily directing the parties to proceed with the arbitration in accordance with that agreement.

(C) If a written agreement for arbitration is included in a commercial construction contract and the making of the arbitration agreement or the failure to perform it is in issue in a petition filed under division (A) of this section, the court shall proceed summarily to the trial of that issue, and the court shall hear and determine that issue.

Section 2711.04 | Appointment of arbitrator.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

If, in the arbitration agreement, provision is made for a method of naming or appointing an arbitrator or an umpire, such method shall be followed. If no method is provided therein, or if a method is provided and any party thereto fails to avail himself of such method, or if for any other reason there is a lapse in the naming of an arbitrator or an umpire, or in filling a vacancy, then upon the application of either party to the controversy the court of common pleas in the county in which the arbitration is to be held shall, within fifteen days after such application is made, appoint an arbitrator or umpire, who shall act under said agreement with the same effect as if he had been specifically named therein. Unless otherwise provided in the agreement, the arbitration shall be by a single arbitrator.

Section 2711.05 | Hearing of application.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any application to the court of common pleas under sections 2711.01 to 2711.15, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be made and heard in the manner provided by law for the making and hearing of motions, except as otherwise expressly provided in such sections.

Section 2711.06 | Powers and duties of arbitrators - subpoena of witnesses, failure to obey.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When more than one arbitrator is agreed to, all the arbitrators shall sit at the hearing of the controversy unless, by consent in writing, all parties agree to proceed with the hearing with a less number. The arbitrators selected either as prescribed in sections 2711.01 to 2711.15, inclusive, of the Revised Code, or otherwise, or a majority of them, may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses, fix the time and place of their hearings, adjourn their meetings from day to day or for a longer time, and also from place to place, and may subpoena in writing any person to attend before any of them as a witness and in a proper case to bring with him any book, record, document, or paper which is deemed material as evidence in the case. The fees for such attendance shall be the same as the fees of witnesses in the court of common pleas. The subpoena shall issue in the name of the arbitrators, or a majority of them, and shall be signed by the arbitrators, or a majority of them, and shall be directed to said person and shall be served in the same manner as subpoenas to appear and testify before such court. If any person so subpoenaed to testify refuses or neglects to obey such subpoena, upon petition, the court of common pleas in the county in which such arbitrators, or a majority of them, are sitting may compel the attendance of such person before said arbitrators, or punish said person for contempt in the same manner provided for securing the attendance of witnesses or their punishment for neglect or refusal to attend in such court.

Section 2711.07 | Depositions.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Upon petition approved by the arbitrators, or by a majority of them, the court of common pleas in the county in which such arbitrators, or a majority of them, are sitting may direct the taking of depositions to be used as evidence before the arbitrators, in the same manner and for the same reasons as provided by law for the taking of depositions in suits or proceedings pending in such court.

Section 2711.08 | Award must be in writing.

• Effective: September 12, 1967
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 33 - 107th General Assembly

The award made in an arbitration proceeding must be in writing and must be signed by a majority of the arbitrators. A true copy of such award without delay shall be delivered to each of the parties in interest. The parties to the arbitration agreement may designate therein the county in which the arbitration shall be held and the award made.

Section 2711.09 | Application for order confirming award.

• Effective: August 31, 1976
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 143 - 111th General Assembly

At any time within one year after an award in an arbitration proceeding is made, any party to the arbitration may apply to the court of common pleas for an order confirming the award. Thereupon the court shall grant such an order and enter judgment thereon, unless the award is vacated, modified, or corrected as prescribed in sections 2711.10 and 2711.11 of the Revised Code. Notice in writing of the application shall be served upon the adverse party or his attorney five days before the hearing thereof.

Section 2711.10 | Court may vacate award.

• Effective: March 18, 1969
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 108th General Assembly

In any of the following cases, the court of common pleas shall make an order vacating the award upon the application of any party to the arbitration if:

(A) The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or undue means.

(B) There was evident partiality or corruption on the part of the arbitrators, or any of them.

(C) The arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in refusing to postpone the hearing, upon sufficient cause shown, or in refusing to hear evidence pertinent and material to the controversy; or of any other misbehavior by which the rights of any party have been prejudiced.

(D) The arbitrators exceeded their powers, or so imperfectly executed them that a mutual, final, and definite award upon the subject matter submitted was not made.

If an award is vacated and the time within which the agreement required the award to be made has not expired, the court may direct a rehearing by the arbitrators.

Section 2711.11 | Court may modify award.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

In any of the following cases, the court of common pleas in the county wherein an award was made in an arbitration proceeding shall make an order modifying or correcting the award upon the application of any party to the arbitration if:

(A) 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;

(B) 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;

(C) The award is imperfect in matter of form not affecting the merits of the controversy.

The order shall modify and correct the award, so as to effect the intent thereof and promote justice between the parties.

Section 2711.12 | Judgment to be entered.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Upon the granting of an order confirming, modifying, correcting, or vacating an award made in an arbitration proceeding, the court must enter judgment in conformity therewith.

Section 2711.13 | Motion to vacate, modify, or correct an award - notice, service.

• Effective: August 31, 1976
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 143 - 111th General Assembly

After an award in an arbitration proceeding is made, any party to the arbitration may file a motion in the court of common pleas for an order vacating, modifying, or correcting the award as prescribed in sections 2711.10 and 2711.11 of the Revised Code.

Notice of a motion to vacate, modify, or correct an award must be served upon the adverse party or his attorney within three months after the award is delivered to the parties in interest, 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.

Section 2711.14 | Papers to be filed with application.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Any party to a proceeding for an order confirming, modifying, correcting, or vacating an award made in an arbitration proceeding shall, at the time the application is filed with the clerk of the court of common pleas, also file the following papers with the clerk:

(A) The agreement, the selection or appointment, if any, of an additional arbitrator or umpire, and each written extension of the time within which to make the award;

(B) The award;

(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.

The judgment entered in such proceeding shall be docketed as if rendered in an action.

The judgment so entered shall have in all respects the same effect as, and be subject to all laws relating to, a judgment in an action. Such judgment may be enforced as if rendered in an action in the court in which it is entered.

Section 2711.15 | Appeal.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

An appeal may be taken from an order confirming, modifying, correcting, or vacating an award made in an arbitration proceeding or from judgment entered upon an award.

Section 2711.16 | Jurisdiction of courts of common pleas.

• Effective: March 18, 1969
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 108th General Assembly

Jurisdiction of judicial proceedings provided for by sections 2711.01 to 2711.14, inclusive, of the Revised Code, is generally in the courts of common pleas, and actions and proceedings brought under such sections shall be brought either in the court of common pleas of the county designated by the parties to the arbitration agreement as provided in section 2711.08 of the Revised Code, which designation is an irrevocable consent of the parties thereto to such jurisdiction, or, whether or not such designation has been made, in the court of common pleas of any county in which a party in interest resides or may be summoned, or if any party in interest is a corporation, in any county in which such corporation is situated, or has or had its principal office or place of business, or in which such corporation has an office or agent, or in any county in which a summons may be served upon the president, chairman or president of the board of directors or trustees, or other chief officer.

Section 2711.21 | Arbitration of medical claims.

• Effective: April 11, 2003
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 281 - 124th General Assembly

(A) Upon the filing of any medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim as defined in section 2305.113 of the Revised Code, if all of the parties to the medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim agree to submit it to nonbinding arbitration, the controversy shall be submitted to an arbitration board consisting of three arbitrators to be named by the court. The arbitration board shall consist of one person designated by the plaintiff or plaintiffs, one person designated by the defendant or defendants, and a person designated by the court. The person designated by the court shall serve as the chairperson of the board. Each member of the board shall receive a reasonable compensation based on the extent and duration of actual service rendered, and shall be paid in equal proportions by the parties in interest. In a claim accompanied by a poverty affidavit, the cost of the arbitration shall be borne by the court.

(B) The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with sections 2711.06 to 2711.16 of the Revised Code insofar as they are applicable. Such proceedings shall be conducted in the county in which the trial is to be held.

(C) If the decision of the arbitration board is not accepted by all parties to the medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim, the claim shall proceed as if it had not been submitted to nonbinding arbitration pursuant to this section. The decision of the arbitration board and any dissenting opinion written by any board member are not admissible into evidence at the trial.

(D) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the right of any person to enter into an agreement to submit a controversy underlying a medical, dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim to binding arbitration.

Section 2711.22 | Contract for arbitration of malpractice claim that may arise.

• Effective: March 20, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 303 - 129th General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a written contract between a patient and a hospital or healthcare provider to settle by binding arbitration any dispute or controversy arising out of the diagnosis, treatment, or care of the patient rendered by a hospital or healthcare provider, that is entered into prior to the diagnosis, treatment, or care of the patient is valid, irrevocable, and enforceable once the contract is signed by all parties. The contract remains valid, irrevocable, and enforceable until or unless the patient or the patient's legal representative rescinds the contract by written notice within thirty days of the signing of the contract. A guardian or other legal representative of the patient may give written notice of the rescission of the contract if the patient is incapacitated or a minor.

(B) As used in this section and in sections 2711.23 and 2711.24 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Healthcare provider" means a physician, podiatrist, dentist, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, chiropractor, optometrist, physician assistant, emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, emergency medical technician-paramedic, or physical therapist.

(2) "Hospital," "physician," "podiatrist," "dentist," "licensed practical nurse," "registered nurse," "advanced practice registered nurse," "chiropractor," "optometrist," "physician assistant," "emergency medical technician-basic," "emergency medical technician-intermediate," "emergency medical technician-paramedic," "physical therapist," "medical claim," "dental claim," "optometric claim," and "chiropractic claim" have the same meanings as in section 2305.113 of the Revised Code.

Section 2711.23 | Provision of contract for arbitration.

• Effective: April 11, 2003
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 281 - 124th General Assembly

To be valid and enforceable any arbitration agreements pursuant to sections 2711.01 and 2711.22 of the Revised Code for controversies involving a medical, dental, chiropractic, or optometric claim that is entered into prior to a patient receiving any care, diagnosis, or treatment shall include or be subject to the following conditions:

(A) The agreement shall provide that the care, diagnosis, or treatment will be provided whether or not the patient signs the agreement to arbitrate;

(B) The agreement shall provide that the patient, or the patient's spouse, or the personal representative of the patient's estate in the event of the patient's death or incapacity, shall have a right to withdraw the patient's consent to arbitrate the patient's claim by notifying the healthcare provider or hospital in writing within thirty days after the patient's signing of the agreement. Nothing in this division shall be construed to mean that the spouse of a competent patient can withdraw over the objection of the patient the consent of the patient to arbitrate;

(C) The agreement shall provide that the decision whether or not to sign the agreement is solely a matter for the patient's determination without any influence;

(D) The agreement shall, if appropriate, provide that its terms constitute a waiver of any right to a trial in court, or a waiver of any right to a trial by jury;

(E) The agreement shall provide that the arbitration expenses shall be divided equally between the parties to the agreement;

(F) Any arbitration panel shall consist of three persons, no more than one of whom shall be a physician or the representative of a hospital;

(G) The arbitration agreement shall be separate from any other agreement, consent, or document;

(H) The agreement shall not be submitted to a patient for approval when the patient's condition prevents the patient from making a rational decision whether or not to agree;

(I) Filing of a medical, dental, chiropractic, or optometric claim within the thirty days provided for withdrawal of a patient from the arbitration agreement shall be deemed a withdrawal from the agreement;

(J) The agreement shall contain a separately stated notice that clearly informs the patient of the patient's rights under division (B) of this section.

Section 2711.24 | Form for arbitration agreement.

• Effective: April 11, 2003
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 281 - 124th General Assembly

To the extent it is in ten-point type and is executed in the following form, an arbitration agreement of the type stated in section 2711.23 of the Revised Code shall be presumed valid and enforceable in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence that the execution of the agreement was induced by fraud, that the patient executed the agreement as a direct result of the willful or negligent disregard by the healthcare provider of the patient's right not to so execute, or that the patient executing the agreement was not able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English or any other language in which the agreement is written:

"AGREEMENT TO RESOLVE FUTURE MALPRACTICE

CLAIM BY BINDING ARBITRATION

In the event of any dispute or controversy arising out of the diagnosis, treatment, or care of the patient by the healthcare provider, the dispute or controversy shall be submitted to binding arbitration.

Within fifteen days after a party to this agreement has given written notice to the other of demand for arbitration of said dispute or controversy, the parties to the dispute or controversy shall each appoint an arbitrator and give notice of such appointment to the other. Within a reasonable time after such notices have been given the two arbitrators so selected shall select a neutral arbitrator and give notice of the selection thereof to the parties. The arbitrators shall hold a hearing within a reasonable time from the date of notice of selection of the neutral arbitrator.

Expenses of the arbitration shall be shared equally by the parties to this agreement.

The patient, by signing this agreement, also acknowledges that the patient has been informed that:

(1) Care, diagnosis, or treatment will be provided whether or not the patient signs the agreement to arbitrate;

(2) The agreement may not even be submitted to a patient for approval when the patient's condition prevents the patient from making a rational decision whether or not to agree;

(3) The decision whether or not to sign the agreement is solely a matter for the patient's determination without any influence;

(4) The agreement waives the patient's right to a trial in court for any future malpractice claim the patient may have against the healthcare provider;

(5) The patient must be furnished with two copies of this agreement.

PATIENT'S RIGHT TO CANCEL

AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE

The patient, or the patient's spouse or the personal representative of the patient's estate in the event of the patient's death or incapacity, has the right to cancel this agreement to arbitrate by notifying the healthcare provider in writing within thirty days after the patient's signing of the agreement. The patient, or the patient's spouse or representative, as appropriate, may cancel this agreement by merely writing "cancelled" on the face of one of the patient's copies of the agreement, signing the patient's name under such word, and mailing, by certified mail, return receipt requested, the copy to the healthcare provider within the thirty-day period.

Filing of a medical claim in a court within the thirty days provided for cancellation of the arbitration agreement by the patient will cancel the agreement without any further action by the patient.

Date:

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Signature of Provider of Medical Services

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Signature of Patient"