This Is Part Of The Ongoing Google - Uber Litigation/Arbitration Over Alleged Misappropriation By Uber Of Google Self-Driving Car Technology.
Google initiated arbitration proceedings against two former employees involved in developing self-driving car technology after the employees formed their own company (Otto) and their new company was acquired by Uber. A discovery dispute ensued: "Google sought discovery from Uber, a nonparty to the arbitration, related to pre-acquisition due diligence done at the request of Uber and Otto's outside counsel by Stroz Friedberg LLC." The arbitration panel determined the due diligence documents sought by Google were not protected by attorney-client privilege or the work-product rule. Uber, a non-party to the arbitration, then initiated a "special proceeding" in superior court, limited in scope to vacating the arbitration panel's discovery order, and prevailed. Google appealed the superior court's order. Uber Technologies, Inc., v. Google LLC, A153653 (1/3 9/28/18) (Siggins, Pollak, Jenkins).
The case raised an arbitration issue of first impression: "We know of no case that addresses the precise issue before us, namely, whether a party to an arbitration has a right to appeal an adverse superior court order vacating an arbitrator's discovery order in favor of a third party to the arbitration." The Court of Appeal held that, given the nature of the "special proceeding" involving a discovery issue and completely resolving the discovery issue, there was a final judgment, and Google could appeal.
The Court of Appeal went on to hold that the due diligence documents sought by Google were not protected by attorney-client privilege or by the work-product rule.
COMMENT: We have written an article and posted on July 17, 2018, about the availability of third-party document discovery in arbitration governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. The general rule is that such discovery is not available, though the documents can be obtained in connection with a hearing. In Uber v. Google, the issue is not discussed, from which we surmise that the arbitration proceedings were governed by the California Arbitration Act, which unlike the FAA, does allow for third-party document discovery.
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