Binding Arbitration If the Parties are unable to resolve a Dispute through informal negotiations, the Dispute (except those Disputes expressly excluded below) will be finally and exclusively resolved by binding arbitration. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WITHOUT THIS PROVISION, YOU WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE IN COURT AND HAVE A JURY TRIAL. The arbitration shall be commenced and conducted under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") and, where appropriate, the AAA’s Supplementary Procedures for Consumer Related Disputes ("AAA Consumer Rules"), both of which are available at the AAA website xxx.xxx.xxx. Your arbitration fees and your share of arbitrator compensation shall be governed by the AAA Consumer Rules and, where appropriate, limited by the AAA Consumer Rules. [If such costs are determined to by the arbitrator to be excessive, we will pay all arbitration fees and expenses.] The arbitration may be conducted in person, through the submission of documents, by phone, or online. The arbitrator will make a decision in writing, but need not provide a statement of reasons unless requested by either Party. The arbitrator must follow applicable law, and any award may be challenged if the arbitrator fails to do so. Except where otherwise required by the applicable AAA rules or applicable law, the arbitration will take place in [name of county] County, [name of state]. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Parties may litigate in court to compel arbitration, stay proceedings pending arbitration, or to confirm, modify, vacate, or enter judgment on the award entered by the arbitrator. If for any reason, a Dispute proceeds in court rather than arbitration, the Dispute shall be commenced or prosecuted in the state and federal courts located in [name of county] County, [name of state], and the Parties hereby consent to, and waive all defenses of lack of personal jurisdiction, and forum non conveniens with respect to venue and jurisdiction in such state and federal courts. Application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the the Uniform Computer Information Transaction Act (UCITA) are excluded from these Terms and Conditions. In no event shall any Dispute brought by either Party related in any way to the Site be commenced more than years after the cause of action arose. If this provision is found to be illegal or unenforceable, then neither Party will elect to arbitrate any Dispute falling within that portion of this provision found to be illegal or unenforceable and such Dispute shall be decided by a court of competent jurisdiction within the courts listed for jurisdiction above, and the Parties agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of that court.
Mediation and Arbitration Any controversy, dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the performance, enforcement, breach, termination or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope of this Agreement to arbitrate, shall first be submitted to non-binding mediation and shall thereafter be determined by final binding arbitration, and not litigation, the agreed venue for mediation and arbitration being in Houston, Texas. The mediation process shall be administered by a mutually acceptable mediator selected in accordance with the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). If any dispute remains unresolved between the parties after the mediation process has been completed, either party may then submit any such unresolved dispute to final and binding arbitration pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration rules of AAA, with all matters related to the enforceability of this arbitration agreement and any award rendered pursuant to this agreement to be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Section 1-16. The Arbitration Tribunal shall be formed of three (3) arbitrators each of which shall have at least five (5) years’ experience in hotel operation, management, ownership or leasing, one (1) to be appointed by each party and the third (3rd) to be appointed by the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration panel may require and facilitate such discovery as it shall determine is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the needs of the parties and the desirability of making discovery expeditious and cost-effective. The arbitration panel shall be empowered to subpoena non-party and party witnesses for deposition and hearing to the full extent provided under the AAA Rules and the Federal Arbitration Act (or the applicable state arbitration statute if the arbitration panel is appointed pursuant to a petition filed in state court). The arbitration panel may also direct the production of documents and other information and the advance identification of witnesses to be called and documents to be admitted. The arbitration panel may issue orders to protect the confidentiality of proprietary information, trade secrets and other sensitive information before it is required to be disclosed in discovery. In addition to monetary damages, or in lieu thereof, the arbitration panel shall have the power to grant all equitable relief (both by way of interim relief and as a part of its final award) as may be granted by any court in the state where the Hotel is located. Monetary damage liability shall be limited to actual damages; the parties hereby waive the right to claim and/or receive punitive damages or exemplary relief. The arbitration panel shall determine whether and to what extent any party is a prevailing party and shall award attorneys’ fees and expenses associated with the arbitration proceeding to the “prevailing party, if any. All proceedings shall be reported by a certified shorthand court reporter and written transcripts of the proceedings shall be prepared and made available to the parties. The fees of the arbitration panel, together with all costs and expenses incurred in conducting the arbitration (but excluding the parties’ respective attorney, witness and related costs and expenses) shall be borne by the party against whom the arbitral award is made and shall be a (the) component of the arbitral award. The arbitration shall take place in Orlando, Florida, and shall be conducted in the English language. The arbitration award shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto and subject to no appeal. Arbitration expenses shall not be an expense in determining House Profit. Judgment upon the award rendered maybe entered into any court having jurisdiction, or applications may be made to such court for an order of enforcement.
