Hoso Foods, Inc. v. Columbus Club, Inc., B219940

Reversal of arbitrator's award in favor of plaintiff in breach of contract dispute

Hoso Foods, Inc. v. Columbus Club, Inc., B219940, concerned a challenge to the trial court's confirmation of an arbitrator's award of over $1.2 million in favor of plaintiff, in proceedings arising from a breach of contract suit involving an agreement to lease an assembly hall for a catering event and plaintiff's claim that defendant knew about the city's restrictive ordinances precluding the use of the hall for catered events.

In reversing the decision, the court vacated the award in concluding that the arbitrator's conduct deprived defendant of a fair hearing because the arbitrator exceeded his powers by limiting defendant's representation at the arbitration to an individual who had been sued personally, was not defendant's choice of representative, was not involved in significant aspects of the transaction and was dismissed from the action at the conclusion of the hearing.

Related Link:

• Read the Full Decision in Hoso Foods, Inc. v. Columbus Club, Inc., B219940