What is a non-signatory to an arbitration agreement?

A non-signatory to an arbitration agreement is someone who does not have a legal binding agreement to the arbitration process. In California, arbitration is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), which allows two parties to resolve a dispute outside of the court system through a neutral third-party mediator. In an arbitration agreement, one party is referred to as the signatory, meaning they are the ones who signed the agreement and are legally bound to its terms. The other party is known as a non-signatory, and they are not legally obligated to follow the terms of the arbitration agreement. A non-signatory is usually someone who is not directly involved in a contract or dispute, and they may not even know that an arbitration agreement exists. In some cases, a non-signatory can be forced to become a party to the arbitration process. This typically happens when the non-signatory is an important witness or has valuable evidence that is necessary for the dispute. In this situation, the non-signatory must be served with a copy of the arbitration agreement and must be given a chance to participate in the arbitration process. In California, non-signatories must comply with the arbitration process in order for the agreement to be enforced. If a non-signatory does not comply, then the signatory may take legal action against them. In order to avoid any legal complications, it is important to be aware if you are a non-signatory in an arbitration agreement and know what your rights and obligations are.

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