Redlich

BACKGROUND

Redlich contracted with Vox, a design firm, and Reliance, a construction management firm, to renovate a Hillsborough, California residence. Paragraph 15 of the Vox contract, in the same font as used in most of the rest of the contract, reads: “15. Arbitration. Any controversy relating to the Contract shall be submitted to and settled by binding arbitration in accordance with rules of American Arbitration Association. Arbitrator shall have a minimum of eight years of

1 All further statutory references are to the Business and Professions Code unless indicated.

1 practical design or construction experience. Legal or forensic experience shall not be considered practical construction experience. A hearing on the matter to be arbitrated shall take place in the State and County where the Parties signed the Contract or in a mutually agreeable location. . . . . If a demand for arbitration is tendered by either party to the Contract, the demanding party will prepare and deliver to the other Party or Parties the following: a complete list of alleged claims, all expert reports, all costs to recover, and all supporting documentation no later than sixty (60) days prior to the date…