Decision Reversing Trial Court’s Findings of Unconscionability and Non-Arbitrability of Tort Claims is Very Fact Specific – But Ruling On Tort Claims Is Worth Noting
Bigler v. The Harker School, Case No. H037450 (6th Dist. February 6, 2013) (Elia, J., author 3:0) (published) is a reminder judicial determinations of unconscionability and arbitrability are often nuanced and fact specific, and the burden of proof may tip the balance in reaching an outcome. Here, the Court of Appeal signaled the outcome twice, by emphasizing that the party opposing arbitration “had the burden of proving the defense of unconsionability”, and the burden to “demonstrate than an arbitration clause cannot be interpreted to require arbitration of the dispute.” The superior court thought the plaintiff, who sued her private school, met the burden for opposing arbitration, but the Court of Appeal held otherwise.
Plaintiff Shivani, enrolled as a student in The Harker School, sued the school alleging she had been wrongfully accused of an honor code violation, and that a teacher who humiliated her, had pushed her to the ground. The school petitioned to compel arbitration, under a broad-based arbitration clause. The superior court denied the petition, finding the contract unconscionable, and finding that it was “highly unlikely” that the plaintiffs agreed to arbitrate, expecting tort claims would be included in the process.
On the issue of unconscionability, here are examples of what I mean by “nuanced” and “fact specific”: The Court of Appeal agreed that the failure to attach AAA rules is “of minor significance”; was “less convinced than the superior court that the other circumstances indicate procedural unconscionability” and was “not as troubled as was the superior court” by a carve-out of tuition disputes from arbitration. Put this all on a scale and weigh it, and it is the burden of proof that tips the scale against plaintiff.
What probably made this case worthy of publication is the Court of Appeal’s effort to distinguish other cases, holding that tort claims were not arbitrable, Victoria v. Superior Court, 40 Cal.3d 734 (1985) and RN Solution, Inc. v. Catholic Healthcare West, 165 Cal.App.4th 1511 (2008): “In each of these cases, the lawsuit focused on conduct that was so removed from the professional relationship between the parties that it could not have been contemplated when they executed their agreement to arbitrate disputes.” Here, however, alleged battery, negligent infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and negligent hiring, took place on the school campus, with students present, and/or related to the student’s relationship with the school. Indeed, the plaintiffs were somewhat hoist by their own pleading, having alleged that torts were committed by persons “acting in the course and scope of their employment and agency . . . “
And if that’s not enough, there is always the burden of proof.
The Court of Appeal opinion ends: “Harker may well be found liable under the parties’ contract, on a tort theory, or both, but it is the arbitrator who must resolve the questions presented in Shivani’s complaint.” “Well”? Is that an oblique caution, or what?
Comments