H 7516Civil Procedure

Courts and Civil Procedures - Procedure in Particular Actions - Arbitration

This bill allows courts to appoint arbitrators when parties delay and reduces the deadline to challenge awards to 30 days.

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Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee House Corporations

Plain-English Summary

This legislation updates the laws regarding arbitration in Rhode Island. It specifically authorizes a court to appoint an arbitrator or umpire if a party involved in a dispute fails to do so, refuses to participate, or causes an unreasonable delay. This ensures that the arbitration process can proceed even if one side is not cooperating. Additionally, the bill reduces the time frame in which a party can file a motion to vacate, modify, or correct an arbitration award from sixty days to thirty days after the award is delivered.

For younger readers

Sometimes, when people have a serious disagreement, they agree to use a private judge called an arbitrator instead of going to a regular court. This bill helps make sure that process happens quickly. If one person tries to stall by not picking their private judge, a regular court can step in and pick one for them so the case can finish. Also, if someone thinks the private judge made a mistake and wants to complain, they now have only 30 days to do it instead of 60 days. This helps settle arguments faster.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Individuals involved in arbitrationBusinessesAttorneysJudgesArbitrators

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Prevents powerful parties, such as large corporations, from stalling arbitration proceedings to wear down individuals with fewer resources.
Promotes a more efficient legal process, potentially reducing legal fees and time lost for workers or consumers involved in disputes.
Ensures that the arbitration system functions as intended rather than becoming a tool for obstruction by non-compliant parties.
Reduces the window to appeal an arbitration award to 30 days, which may disadvantage low-income individuals who need time to find legal representation.
Strengthens the arbitration system, which is often criticized by progressives for favoring corporate interests over workers and consumers.
Allows judges to bypass the mutual selection of arbitrators, potentially resulting in appointments that a disadvantaged party might feel is biased.

For Conservatives

Enhances the efficiency of the legal system by preventing unnecessary delays in resolving contractual disputes.
Provides greater certainty and finality for businesses by shortening the window to challenge arbitration awards to 30 days.
Upholds the sanctity of contracts by ensuring that agreed-upon arbitration clauses are enforced even when one party tries to obstruct them.
Increases judicial intervention in private contractual matters by allowing the state to appoint arbitrators for private parties.
Could lead to "activist judges" appointing arbitrators who may not align with the original intent or preferences of the business involved.
Reducing the appeal time might negatively impact a business that has been subjected to an unfair or erroneous arbitration ruling.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 15 additions · 1 deletion

SECTION 1. Sections 10-3-6 and 10-3-15 of the General Laws in Chapter 10-3 entitled "Arbitration" are hereby amended to read as follows: 10-3-6. Judicial appointment of arbitrators.

(a) If, in the agreement, provision is made for a method of naming or appointing an arbitrator or arbitrators or an umpire, the method shall be followed; but if no method is provided in the agreement, or if a method is provided and any party thereto shall fail to avail himself or herself of such method, or if for any other reason there shall be a lapse in the naming of an arbitrator or arbitrators or an umpire, or in filling a vacancy, then, upon the application of either party to the controversy, the court, as described in § 10-3-4, shall designate and appoint an arbitrator or arbitrators or umpire, as the case may require, who shall act under the agreement with the same force and effect as if he, she, or they had been specifically named in the agreement; and, unless otherwise provided in the agreement, the arbitration shall be by a single arbitrator.

(b) The court shall appoint an arbitrator, appraiser, or umpire under this section upon a showing that any party has failed, refused, or neglected to make a required appointment under the agreement, or has otherwise caused an unreasonable delay in the naming or selection thereof. Where the agreement contemplates that each party shall appoint an arbitrator or appraiser and that the two (2) so appointed shall thereafter select an umpire or third arbitrator, the court shall, upon application, appoint both an arbitrator or appraiser on behalf of the non-complying party and an umpire or third arbitrator if necessary, to ensure that the arbitration or appraisal may proceed. Judicial appointment under this section shall not be withheld on the ground that one party has failed to make an appointment required by the agreement. The purpose of judicial appointment under this section is to ensure that arbitration or appraisal proceedings proceed expeditiously and without prejudice to the party that has complied with the agreement. 10-3-15. Notice of motion to vacate, modify, or correct award. Notice of a motion to vacate, modify, or correct an award must be served upon the adverse party or his or her attorney within ~~sixty (60)~~ thirty (30) days after the award is filed or delivered, and before the award is confirmed, as prescribed by law for service of notice of a motion in an action at law. The court may make an order, to be served with the notice of the motion, staying the proceedings of the adverse party to enforce the award.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.