So Much for Expedient, Efficient, and Cost Effective

Harshad & Nasir Corp. v. Global Sign Systems, No. B269429 (D2d1 Aug. 15, 2107)

The posture here is pretty odd. SignCo sued BurgerCo over $100k in unpaid invoices. The case went all the way through discovery, but three weeks before trial, the parties agreed to arbitrate whatever amounts BurgerCo owed SignCo for services rendered, with the arbitrator to act as if he were a superior court judge subject to the Code, and that the arbitrator’s award would be reviewed just as if it were the judgment of the superior court. Basically, they agreed to an arbitration that had all of the characteristics of a judicial reference.