ADR

How carefully do you consider the scope of your agreement to ­arbitrate? Experience reflects that parties will often negotiate the terms of their business arrangement with care. After reaching an understanding on all substantive matters, however, and impatient to complete their work, they often opt for a cookie-cutter arbitration provision that, ­subsequently, may not provide the ­mandatory dispute resolution procedure expected.

Recent cases from Florida and Virginia reflect how inattention to the arbitration provision may later frustrate a party seeking to enforce it.

In Saunders v. St. Cloud 192 Pet Doc Hospital, 5D17-45, (Fla. 5th DCA, Aug. 11) (an opinion that has apparently not yet been deemed final and is subject to revision or withdrawal), Amanda Saunders had been hired by Pet Doc as a managing doctor of veterinary medicine. She later brought suit claiming constructive discharge due to ­sexual discrimination in violation of a county ordinance as well as Pet Doc's negligence in hiring, training and supervision.