GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2017
SESSION LAW 2017-171
HOUSE BILL 772
AN ACT to amend the north carolina international commercial arbitration and conciliation act.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. Article 45B of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"International Commercial Arbitration and Conciliation.
"Part 1. General Provisions.
…
"§ 1‑567.31. Scope of application.
(a) This Article applies to
international commercial arbitration and conciliation, subject to any
applicable international agreement in force between the United States of
America and any other nation or nations, or and any federal statute.law.
(b) The provisions of this Article, except G.S. 1‑567.38, 1‑567.39, and 1‑567.65, apply only if the place of arbitration is in this State.
(c) An arbitration or
conciliation is international if:if any of the following are true:
(1) The parties to the
arbitration or conciliation agreement have their places of business in
different nations when the agreement is concluded; orconcluded.
(2) One or more of the following places is situated outside the nations in which the parties have their places of business:
a. The place of arbitration
or conciliation if determined pursuant to the arbitration agreement;agreement.
b. Any place where a
substantial part of the obligations of the commercial relationship is to be performed;
orperformed.
c. The place with which the
subject matter of the dispute is most closely connected; orconnected.
(3) The parties have expressly agreed in a record that the subject matter of the arbitration or conciliation agreement relates to more than one nation.
(d) For the purposes of subsection (c) of this section:
(1) If a party has more than
one place of business, the place of business is that which has the closest
relationship to the arbitration or conciliation agreement;agreement.
(2) If a party does not have a place of business, reference is to be made to the party's domicile.
(e) An arbitration or conciliation, respectively, is deemed commercial for the purposes of this Article if it arises out of a relationship of a commercial nature, including, but not limited to any of the following:
(1) A transaction for the
exchange of goods and services;or services.
(2) A distribution agreement;agreement.
(3) A commercial
representation or agency;agency.
(4) An exploitation agreement
or concession;concession.
(5) A joint venture or other
related form of industrial or business cooperation;cooperation.
(6) The carriage of goods or
passengers by air, sea, water, land, or road;road.
(7) A contract or agreement
relating to construction, insurance, licensing, factoring, leasing, consulting,
engineering, financing, or banking;banking.
(8) The transfer of data or technology;technology.
(9) The use or transfer of
intellectual or industrial property, including trade secrets, trademarks, trade
names, patents, copyrights, plant variety protection, and software programs;programs.
(10) A contract for the provision of any type of professional service, whether provided by an employee or an independent contractor.
…
(h) This Article does not govern arbitrations under Article 1H of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.
"§ 1‑567.32. Definitions and rules of interpretation.
(a) For the purposes of
this Article:The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1) "Arbitral
award" means any Arbitral award. – Any decision of an arbitral
tribunal on the substance of a dispute submitted to it, and includes an interlocutory,
interlocutory or partial award;award.
(2) "Arbitral
tribunal" means a Arbitral tribunal. – A sole arbitrator or a
panel of arbitrators;arbitrators.
(3) "Arbitration"
means any arbitration Arbitration. – Any arbitration, whether or not
administered by a permanent arbitral institution;institution.
(3a) Court. – A court of competent jurisdiction in this State.
(4) "Party"
means a Party. – A party to an arbitration agreement;agreement.
(5) "Superior court" means the superior
court of any county in this State selected pursuant to G.S. 1‑567.36.
(6) Record. – Information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in a perceivable form.
…
(d) Where a provision of this
Article, other than in G.S. 1‑567.55(1) and G.S. 1‑567.62(b)(1),
refers to a claim, it also applies to a counterclaim, counterclaim or
setoff, and where it refers to a defense, it also applies to a defense to such
counterclaim.a counterclaim or setoff.
"§ 1‑567.33. Receipt of written communications or submissions.
(a) Unless otherwise agreed in
a record by the parties, any written communication or submission is deemed
to have been received if it is delivered to the addressee personally or if it
is delivered at the addressee's place of business, domicile domicile,
or mailing address and address, and the communication or
submission is deemed to have been received on the day it is so delivered.
Delivery Unless otherwise agreed in a record by the parties, delivery
by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission, if in a record, shall
constitute valid receipt if the communication or submission is in fact received.received,
and the receipt is in a record.
(b) If none of the places
referred to in subsection (a) can be found after making reasonable inquiry, a
written communication or submission is deemed to have been received if it is
sent to the addressee's last known place of business, domicile domicile,
or mailing address by registered mail mail, certified mail, or
any other means which that provide a record of the attempt to
deliver it.
(c) The provisions of this
Article do not apply to a written communication or submission relating to a
court, administrative administrative, or special proceeding.
…
"Part 2. International Commercial Arbitration.
…
"§ 1‑567.36. Venue and jurisdiction of courts.
(a) The functions referred
to in G.S. 1‑567.41(c) and (d), 1‑567.43(a), 1‑567.44(b),
1‑567.46(c), and 1‑567.57 shall be performed by the superior court
in:in the following county:
(1) The county where the
arbitration agreement is to be performed or was made;made.
(2) If the arbitration
agreement does not specify a county where the agreement is to be performed and
the agreement was not made in any county in the State of North Carolina, the
county where any party to the court proceeding resides or has a place of business;business.
(3) In any case not covered by subdivisions (1) or (2) of this subsection, in any county in the State of North Carolina.
(b) All other functions
assigned by this Article to the superior court shall be performed by the
superior court of the county in which the place of arbitration is
located.
…
"§ 1‑567.38. Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court.
(a) When a party to an
international commercial arbitration agreement as defined in this Article commences
judicial proceedings seeking relief with respect to a matter covered by the
agreement to arbitrate, any other party to the agreement may apply to the superior
court for an order to stay the proceedings and compel arbitration.
(b) Arbitration proceedings may begin or continue, and an award may be made, while an action described in subsection (a) is pending before the court.
"§ 1‑567.39. Interim relief and the enforcement of interim measures.
(a) In the case of an
arbitration where the arbitrator or arbitrators have not been appointed, or
where the arbitrator or arbitrators are unavailable, a party may seek interim
relief directly from the superior court as provided in subsection (c).
Enforcement shall be granted as provided by the law applicable to the type of
interim relief sought.
(b) In all other cases, a
party shall seek interim measures under G.S. 1‑567.47 from the
arbitral tribunal and shall have no right to seek interim relief from the
superior court, except that a party to an arbitration governed by this Article
may request from the superior court enforcement of an order of an arbitral
tribunal granting interim measures under G.S. 1‑567.47.relief
under G.S. 1‑567.47.
(c) In connection with an
agreement to arbitrate or a pending arbitration, the superior court may
grant, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section:section, any of the
following:
(1) An order of attachment or
garnishment;garnishment.
(2) A temporary restraining
order or preliminary injunction;injunction.
(3) An order for claim and delivery;delivery.
(4) The appointment of a receiver;receiver.
(5) Delivery of money or
other property into court;court.
(6) Any other order that may be necessary to ensure the preservation or availability either of assets or of documents, the destruction or absence of which would be likely to prejudice the conduct or effectiveness of the arbitration.
…
(f) The availability of
interim relief under this section may be limited by prior written agreement of
the parties.parties in a record.
…
"§ 1‑567.41. Appointment of arbitrators.
…
(c) (1) If
an agreement is not made under subsection (b) of this section, in an
arbitration with three arbitrators, each party shall appoint one arbitrator,
and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall appoint the third arbitrator; if a
party fails to appoint the arbitrator within 30 days of receipt of a request to
do so from the other party, or if the two arbitrators fail to agree on the
third arbitrator within 30 days of their appointment, the appointment shall be
made, upon request of a party, by the superior court.
(2) In an arbitration with a
sole arbitrator, if the parties are unable to agree on the arbitrator, a sole
arbitrator shall be appointed, upon request of a party, by the superior court.
(3) In an arbitration
involving more than two parties, if no agreement is reached under subsection
(b) of this section, the superior court, on request of a party, shall
appoint one or more arbitrators, as provided in G.S. 1‑567.40.
(d) The superior court,
on request of any party, may take the necessary measures, unless the agreement
on the appointment procedure provides other means for securing the appointment,
if, under an appointment procedure agreed upon by the parties:parties,
any of the following events occur:
(1) A party fails to act as
required under such procedure; orthe procedure.
(2) The parties, or two
arbitrators, are unable to reach an agreement expected of them under such
procedure; orthe procedure.
(3) A third party, including
an institution, fails to perform any function entrusted to it under such the
procedure.
(e) A decision of the superior
court on a matter entrusted by subsection (c) or (d) of this section shall
be final and not subject to appeal.
(f) The superior court,
in appointing an arbitrator, shall consider:consider all of the
following:
(1) Any qualifications
required of the arbitrator by the agreement of the parties;parties.
(2) Such other considerations
as are likely to secure the appointment of an independent and impartial arbitrator;arbitrator.
(3) In the case of a sole or third arbitrator, the advisability of appointing an arbitrator of a nationality other than those of the parties.
(g) The parties may agree to
employ an established arbitration institution to conduct the arbitration. If
they do not so agree, the superior court may in its discretion designate
an established arbitration institution to conduct the arbitration.
(h) Unless otherwise agreed,
an arbitrator shall be is entitled to compensation at an hourly
or daily rate which that reflects the size and complexity of the
case, and the experience of the arbitrator. If the parties are unable to agree
on such a rate, the rate shall be determined by the arbitral institution
chosen pursuant to subsection (g) of this section or by the arbitral tribunal,
in either case subject to the review of the superior court upon the
motion of any dissenting party.
"§ 1‑567.42. Grounds for challenge.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Article,
all persons whose names have been submitted for consideration for appointment
or designation as arbitrators, or who have been appointed or designated as
such, shall make a disclosure to the parties within 15 days of such submission,
appointment, or designation of any information which might cause their
impartiality to be questioned including, but not limited to, any of the
following instances:
(1) The person has a personal bias or prejudice
concerning a party, or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts
concerning the proceeding;
(2) The person served as a lawyer in the matter in
controversy, or the person is or has been associated with another who has
participated in the matter during such association, or has been a material
witness concerning it;
(3) The person served as an arbitrator in another
proceeding involving one or more of the parties to the proceeding;
(4) The person, individually or as a fiduciary, or
such person's spouse or minor child residing in such person's household, has a
financial interest in the subject matter in controversy or in a party to the
proceeding, or any other interest that could be substantially affected by the
outcome of the proceeding;
(5) The person, his or her spouse, or a person
within the third degree of relationship to either of them, or the spouse of
such a person meets any of the following conditions:
a. The person is or has been a party to the
proceeding, or an officer, director, or trustee of a party;
b. The person is acting or has acted as a lawyer
in the proceeding;
c. The person is known to have an interest that
could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding;
d. The person is likely to be a material witness
in the proceeding;
(6) The person has a close personal or professional
relationship with a person who meets any of the following conditions:
a. The person is or has been a party to the
proceeding, or an officer, director, or trustee of a party;
b. The person is acting or has acted as a lawyer
or representative in the proceeding;
c. The person is or expects to be nominated as an
arbitrator or conciliator in the proceeding;
d. The person is known to have an interest that
could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding;
e. The person is likely to be a material witness
in the proceeding.
(b) The obligation to disclose information set forth
in subsection (a) of this section is mandatory and cannot be waived as to the
parties with respect to persons serving either as sole arbitrator or as the
chief or prevailing arbitrator. The parties may otherwise agree to waive such
disclosure.
(c) From the time of appointment and throughout the
arbitral proceedings, an arbitrator shall disclose to the parties without delay
any circumstances referred to in subsection (a) of this section which were not
previously disclosed.
(d) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties or the
rules governing the arbitration, an arbitrator may be challenged only if
circumstances exist that give rise to justifiable doubts as to his or her
independence or impartiality, or as to his or her possession of the
qualifications upon which the parties have agreed.
(e) A party may challenge an arbitrator appointed by
it, or in whose appointment it has participated only for reasons of which it
becomes aware after the appointment has been made.
"§ 1‑567.43. Challenge procedure.
(a) The parties may agree on a procedure for challenging
an arbitrator, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.
(b) If there is no agreement under subsection (a) of
this section, a party challenging an arbitrator shall, within 15 days after
becoming aware of the constitution of the arbitral tribunal or after becoming
aware of any circumstance referred to in G.S. 1‑567.42(a), send a written
statement of the reasons for the challenge to the arbitral tribunal. Unless the
challenged arbitrator withdraws or the other party agrees to the challenge, the
arbitral tribunal shall decide on the challenge.
(c) If a challenge under any procedure agreed upon
by the parties or under the procedure of subsection (b) of this section is not
successful, the challenging party may, within 30 days after having received
notice of the decision rejecting the challenge, request the superior court to
decide on the challenge, which decision shall be final and subject to no
appeal. While such a request is pending, the arbitral tribunal, including the
challenged arbitrator, may continue to conduct the arbitral proceedings and
make an award.
"§ 1‑567.43A. Disclosure by arbitrator.
(a) Before accepting appointment, an individual who is requested to serve as an arbitrator, after making a reasonable inquiry, shall disclose to all parties to the agreement to arbitrate and to the arbitration proceeding and to any other arbitrators any known facts that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the arbitrator in the arbitration proceeding, including the following:
(1) A financial or personal interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding.
(2) An existing or past relationship with any of the parties to the agreement to arbitrate or to the arbitration proceeding, their counsel or representatives, a witness, or other arbitrators.
(b) An arbitrator has a continuing obligation to disclose to all parties to the agreement to arbitrate and to the arbitration and to any other arbitrators any facts that the arbitrator learns after accepting appointment that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the arbitrator.
(c) If an arbitrator discloses a fact required by subsection (a) or (b) of this section to be disclosed, and a party makes a timely objection to the appointment or continued service of the arbitrator based upon the fact disclosed, the objection may be a ground under G.S. 1‑567.64 for vacating an award made by the arbitrator.
(d) If the arbitrator did not disclose a fact as required by subsection (a) or (b) of this section, upon timely objection by a party, the court under G.S. 1‑567.64 may vacate an award.
(e) An arbitrator appointed as a neutral arbitrator who does not disclose a known, direct, and material interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding or a known, existing, and substantial relationship with a party is presumed to act with evident partiality under G.S. 1‑567.64.
(f) If the parties to an arbitration proceeding agree to the procedures of an institution or any other procedures for challenges to arbitrators before an award is made, substantial compliance with those procedures is a condition precedent to a motion to vacate an award on that ground under G.S. 1‑567.64.
"§ 1‑567.44. Failure or impossibility to act.
…
(b) If a controversy remains
concerning any of the grounds referred to in subsection (a) of this section, a
party may request the superior court to decide on the termination of the
mandate. The decision of the superior court shall be final and not
subject to appeal.
(c) If under this section or
under G.S. 1‑567.43, an arbitrator withdraws or otherwise agrees to
the termination of his or her the arbitrator's mandate, no
acceptance of the validity of any ground referred to in this section or
G.S. 1‑567.43(b) shall be implied in consequence of such the
action.
…
"§ 1‑567.46. Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction.
…
(c) The arbitral tribunal
may rule on a plea referred to in subsection (b) of this section either as a
preliminary question or in an award on the merits. If the arbitral tribunal
rules as a preliminary question that it has jurisdiction, after having received
notice of that ruling, any party may request the superior court to
decide the matter. The decision of the superior court shall be final and
not subject to appeal. While such a the request is pending, the
arbitral tribunal may continue the arbitral proceedings and make an award.
"§ 1‑567.47. Power of arbitral tribunal to order interim measures.
(a) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the
arbitral tribunal may, at the request of a party, order any party to take such
interim measure of protection as the arbitral tribunal may consider necessary
in respect of the subject matter of the dispute, including an interim measure
analogous to any type of interim relief specified in G.S. 1‑567.39(c).
The arbitral tribunal may require any party to provide appropriate security,
including security for costs as provided in G.S. 1‑567.61(h)(2), in
connection with such the measure.
(b) A court has the same power to issue an interim measure in an arbitration proceeding, irrespective of whether the arbitration proceeding is in the territory of this State, as it has in a court proceeding. The court shall exercise this power in accordance with its own procedures in consideration of the specific features of international arbitration.
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"§ 1‑567.49. Determination of rules of procedure.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article, the parties may agree on the procedure to be followed by the arbitral tribunal in conducting the proceedings.
(b) If there is no agreement
under subsection (a) of this section, the arbitral tribunal may, subject to
the provisions of this Article, subject to the provisions of this
Article, the tribunal shall select the rules for conducting the arbitration
after hearing all the parties and taking particular reference to model rules
developed by arbitration institutions or similar sources. If the tribunal is
unable to decide on rules for conducting the arbitration, upon application by a
party, the court may order use of rules for conducting the arbitration, taking particular
reference to model rules developed by arbitration institutions or similar
sources. In other matters not covered by rules, the tribunal shall conduct
the arbitration in such manner as it considers appropriate. The power conferred
upon the arbitral tribunal includes the power to order such discovery as it
deems necessary and to determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality, and
weight of any evidence. Evidence need not be limited by the rules of evidence
applicable in judicial proceedings, except as to immunities and privilege. Each
party shall have the burden of proving the facts relied on to support its
claim, counterclaim, setoff, or defense.
…
"§ 1‑567.50A. Consolidation.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, upon motion of a party to an arbitration agreement or to an arbitral proceeding, the court may order consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings as to all or some of the claims if all of the following are true:
(1) There are separate arbitration agreements or separate arbitral proceedings between the same parties or one of the parties is a party to a separate agreement to arbitrate or a separate arbitration with a third person.
(2) The claims subject to the arbitration agreements arise in substantial part from the same transaction or series of related transactions.
(3) The existence of a common issue of law or fact creates the possibility of conflicting decisions in the separate arbitral proceedings.
(4) Prejudice resulting from a failure to consolidate is not outweighed by the risk of undue delay or prejudice to the rights of or hardship to parties opposing consolidation.
(b) The court may order consolidation of separate arbitral proceedings as to some claims and allow other claims to be resolved in separate arbitral proceedings.
(c) The court shall not order consolidation of the claims of a party to an arbitration agreement if the agreement prohibits consolidation.
"§ 1‑567.51. Commencement of arbitral proceedings.
Unless otherwise agreed by the parties,
parties or otherwise provided in the rules and procedures upon which the
parties have agreed, the arbitral proceedings in respect of a particular
dispute shall commence on the date on which a request for that dispute to be
referred to arbitration is received by the respondent.a party as
provided in G.S. 1‑567.33.
…
"§ 1‑567.53. Statements of claim and defense.
(a) Within the period of
time agreed by the parties or determined by the arbitral tribunal, the claimant
shall state the facts supporting its claim, the points at issue and the relief
or remedy sought, and the respondent shall state its defenses and counterclaims
defenses, counterclaims, or setoffs in respect of these particulars,
unless the parties have otherwise agreed as to the required elements of such
these statements. The parties may submit with their statements all
documents they consider to be relevant or may add a reference to the documents
or other evidence the party will submit.
(b) Unless otherwise agreed
by the parties, either party may amend or supplement a claim or defense during
the course of the arbitral proceedings, unless the arbitral tribunal considers
it inappropriate to allow such amendment the amendment, having
regard to the delay in making it.
(c) If there are more than
two parties to the arbitration, each party shall state its claims, defenses,
counterclaims, or setoffs, and defenses as provided in subsection
(a) of this section.
…
"§ 1‑567.57. Court assistance in obtaining discovery and taking evidence.
(a) The arbitral tribunal or
a party with the approval of the arbitral tribunal may request from the superior
court assistance in obtaining discovery and taking evidence. The court may
execute the request within its competence and according to its rules on
discovery and taking evidence, and may impose sanctions for failure to comply
with its orders. A subpoena may be issued as provided by G.S. 8‑59,
in which case the witness compensation provisions of G.S. 6‑51, 6‑53,
and 7A‑314 shall apply.
(b) If the parties to two or more arbitration
agreements agree, in their respective arbitration agreements or otherwise, to
consolidate the arbitrations arising out of those agreements, the superior court,
upon application by a party, may do any of the following:
(1) Order the arbitrations to be consolidated on
terms the court considers just and necessary;
(2) If all the parties cannot agree on an arbitral
tribunal for the consolidated arbitration, appoint an arbitral tribunal as
provided by G.S. 1‑567.41; and
(3) If all the parties cannot agree on any other
matter necessary to conduct the consolidated arbitration, make any other order
it considers necessary.
…
"§ 1‑567.61. Form and contents of award.
(a) The award shall be made
in writing in a record and shall be signed by the arbitrator or
arbitrators. In arbitral proceedings with more than one arbitrator, the
signatures of the majority of all members of the arbitral tribunal shall
suffice, provided that the reason for any omitted signature is stated.stated
in the record of the award.
(a1) An award shall be made within the time specified by the agreement to arbitrate or the arbitration institution, or, if not so specified, within the time ordered by the court. The court may extend or the parties to the arbitration proceeding may agree in a record to extend the time. A party waives any objection that an award was not timely made unless that party gives notice of the objection to the arbitral tribunal before receiving notice of the award.
…
(h) (1) Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the awarding of costs of an arbitration shall be at the discretion of the arbitral tribunal.
(2) In making an order for costs, the arbitral tribunal may include any of the following as costs:
a. The fees and expenses of
the arbitrator or arbitrators, expert witnesses, and translators;translators.
b. Fees and expenses of
counsel and of the institution supervising the arbitration, if any; andany.
c. Any other expenses incurred in connection with the arbitral proceedings.
(3) In making an order for
costs, the arbitral tribunal may specify:specify any of the
following:
a. The party entitled to costs;costs.
b. The party who shall pay
the costs;costs.
c. The amount of costs or
method of determining that amount; andamount.
d. The manner in which the costs shall be paid.
(i) The arbitral tribunal may award punitive damages or other exemplary relief if all of the following are true:
(1) The arbitration agreement provides for an award of punitive damages or exemplary relief.
(2) An award for punitive damages or other exemplary relief is authorized by law in a civil action involving the same claim.
(3) The evidence produced at the hearing justifies the award under the legal standards otherwise applicable to the claim.
(j) If the arbitral tribunal awards punitive damages or other exemplary relief under subsection (i) of this section, the arbitral tribunal shall specify in the award the basis in fact justifying and the basis in law authorizing the award and shall state separately the amount of the punitive damages or other exemplary relief.
…
"§ 1‑567.64. Modifying or vacating of awards.
Subject to the relevant provisions
of federal law or and any applicable international agreement in
force between the United States of America and any other nation or nations, an
arbitral award may be vacated by a court only upon a showing that the award is
tainted by illegality, or substantial unfairness in the conduct of the arbitral
proceedings. In determining whether an award is so tainted, the superior
court shall have regard to consider the provisions of this
Article, and of G.S. 1‑569.23 and G.S. 1‑569.24, but
shall not engage in de novo review of the subject matter of the dispute giving
rise to the arbitration proceedings.
"§ 1‑567.65. Confirmation and enforcement of awards.
(a) Subject to the relevant provisions of federal law or
and any applicable international agreement in force between the
United States of America and any other nation or nations, upon application of a
party, the superior court shall confirm an arbitral award, unless it
finds grounds for modifying or vacating the award under G.S. 1‑567.64.
An award shall not be confirmed unless the time for correction and
interpretation of awards prescribed by G.S. 1‑567.63 shall have has
expired or has been waived by all the parties. Upon the granting of
an order confirming, modifying, or correcting an award, a judgment or
decree shall be entered in conformity therewith and enforced as any other
judgment or decree. The superior court may award costs of the
application and of the subsequent proceedings.
(b) Notwithstanding G.S. 7A‑109, 7A‑276.1, 132‑1, or any other provision of law, the court may seal or redact, in whole or in part, an order, judgment, or arbitral award issued under this Article. Upon good cause shown, the court may do any of the following:
(1) Open a sealed or redacted order, judgment, or arbitral award.
(2) Seal or redact an opened order, judgment, or arbitral award.
"§
1‑567.66. Applications to superior court.
Except as otherwise provided, an
application to the superior court under this Article shall be by motion
and shall be heard in the manner and upon the notice provided by law or rule of
court for the making and hearing of motions. Unless the parties have agreed
otherwise, notice of an initial application for an order shall be served in the
manner provided by law for the service of a summons in an a civil action.
…
"§ 1‑567.88. Uniformity of application and construction.
In applying and construing this Article, consideration shall be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among states of the United States that have enacted the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, and particular consideration shall be given to the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act as enacted in this State.
"§ 1‑567.89. Relationship to federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.
The provisions of this Article governing the legal effect, validity, and enforceability of electronic records or electronic signatures, and of contracts performed with the use of these records or signatures, conform to the requirements of section 102 of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001, et seq., or as otherwise authorized by federal or State law governing these electronic records or electronic signatures."
SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2017, and applies to agreements entered into, renewed, or modified on or after that date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 29th day of June, 2017.
s/ Daniel J. Forest
President of the Senate
s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives
s/ Roy Cooper
Governor
Approved 11:45 a.m. this 21st day of July, 2017