Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

Who Bears the Burden of Proof on a Motion to Enforce a Contractual Waiver of the Right to a Jury Trial? — Circuit Split

Regions Comm'l Equip. Fin., LLC v. Performance Aviation, LLC, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 154782 (S.D. Miss. Nov. 8, 2016):

"[A]s the right of jury trial is fundamental, courts indulge every reasonable presumption against waiver." Aetna Ins. Co. v. Kennedy, 301 U.S. 389, 393, 57 S. Ct. 809, 81 L. Ed. 1177 (1937). However, the Fifth Circuit has not addressed whether [*8]  the movant or opposing party bears the burden of proof on a motion to enforce a contractual waiver of the right to trial by jury. See RDO Fin. Servs. Co. v. Powell, 191 F. Supp. 2d 811, 813 (N.D. Tex. 2002); Westside-Marrero Jeep Eagle v. Chrysler Corp., 56 F. Supp. 2d 694, 707 (E.D. La. 1999). Circuits are split on this issue. See Bakrac, Inc. v. Villager Franchise Sys., 164 F. App'x 820, 823 n. 1 (11th Cir. 2006) (citing Pierce v. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. Co., 110 F.3d 431, 435 n. 4 (7th Cir. 1997) (collecting cases)). The Court will assume, without deciding, that Plaintiff, as the movant, has the burden of proof.

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Recent Posts

RICO and Injunctions: (1) State Court Actions Designed to Perpetuate and Monetize a RICO Violation Are Enjoinable under RICO, Even Though They Are Not Themselves Alleged to Be Predicate Acts [Note: Noerr Pennington Applies in RICO Actions] — (2) Although Civil RICO’s Text and Legislative History Fail to Reveal Any Intent to Override the Provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act, Arbitrations Are Enjoinable Under the “Effective Vindication” Doctrine Where They Operate As a Prospective Waiver of a Party’s Right to Pursue Statutory RICO Remedies — (3) Arbitration Findings May Be Given Collateral Estoppel Effect in a Civil RICO Action — (4) Injunction of Non-Corrupt State Court Litigations That Furthers a RICO Violation Are Enjoinable Under the Anti-Injunction Act’s “Expressly Authorized” Exception — (5) “The Irreparable Harm Requirement Is The Single Most Important Prerequisite For The Issuance Of A Preliminary Injunction” (Good Quote) — (6) When Injunction Is Based on “Serious Questions on the Merits” Rather Than “Likelihood of Success,” Court May Rely on Unverified Pleadings and Attached Exhibits to Assess the Merits, Unless the Opponent Has Raised Substantial Questions (Here, the Opponent Failed to Request an Evidentiary Hearing) — (7) Whether Amended Pleading Moots An Appeal Turns on Whether It Materially Changes the Substantive Basis for the Appeal — (8) Meaning of “In That” (“Used To Introduce A Statement That Explains Or Gives More Specific Information” About A Prior Statement)

Archives