Arbitration Double Standards
A case out of the Third Circuit demonstrates the frustration that many of us have with the current state of consumer arbitration law. The consumer had purchased a Dell computer that he alleged had design flaws leading to repeated failure of his motherboard. After Dell refused to fix the computer a third time, he brought a class action against Dell for the alleged design defects.
Dell invoked an arbitration clause which read that any dispute "SHALL BE RESOLVED EXCLUSIVELY AND FINALLY BY BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL ARBITRATION FORUM (NAF)." This clause was found in "clickware," that is an agreement to which the consumer agreed by checking a box on Dell's web site when he purchased the computer. The capital letters were in the original agreement, presumably to make this language stand out due to its importance. As many readers of this blog will quickly pick up, there is a problem with this language -- because of abuses the National Arbitration Forum agreed to a consent judgment where it would no longer administer consumer arbitrations.

Bob Lawless
Adam
Levitin
Stephen Lubben
Nathalie Martin
Katie Porter
Jean Braucher
Anna Gelpern
Melissa Jacoby
Alan White