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PLEASE READ THIS PROVISION OF THE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY.
This section provides that disputes may be resolved by binding
arbitration. Arbitration replaces the right to go to court, have a jury trial or
initiate or participate in a class action. In arbitration, disputes are resolved
by an arbitrator, not a judge or jury. Arbitration procedures are simpler
and more limited than in court. This arbitration provision is governed by
the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), and shall be interpreted in the broadest
way the law will allow.
Covered claims
•
You or we may arbitrate
any claim, dispute or controversy between
you and us arising out of or related to your Account, a previous related
Account or our relationship (called “Claims”).
•
If arbitration is chosen by any party, neither you nor we will have
the right to litigate that Claim in court or have a jury trial on that
Claim.
Except as stated below, all Claims are subject to arbitration, no matter
what legal theory they’re based on or what remedy (damages, or
injunctive or declaratory relief) they seek, including Claims based on
contract, tort (including intentional tort), fraud, agency, your or our
negligence, statutory or regulatory provisions, or any other sources of
law; Claims made as counterclaims, cross-claims, third-party claims,
interpleaders or otherwise; Claims made regarding past, present or future
conduct; and Claims made independently or with other claims. This also
includes Claims made by or against anyone connected with us or you
or claiming through us or you, or by someone making a claim through
us or you, such as a co-applicant, Authorized User, employee, agent,
representative or an affiliated/parent/subsidiary company.
Arbitration limits
• Individual Claims filed in a small claims court are not subject to
arbitration, as long as the matter stays in small claims court.
• We won’t initiate arbitration to collect a debt from you unless you
choose to arbitrate or assert a Claim against us. If you assert a Claim
against us, we can choose to arbitrate, including actions to collect a
debt from you. You may arbitrate on an individual basis Claims brought
against you, including Claims to collect a debt.
• Claims brought as part of a class action, private attorney general or
other representative action can be arbitrated only on an individual
basis. The arbitrator has no authority to arbitrate any claim on a class
or representative basis and may award relief only on an individual
basis. If arbitration is chosen by any party, neither you nor we may
pursue a Claim as part of a class action or other representative
action. Claims of 2 or more persons may not be combined in the same
arbitration. However, applicants, co-applicants, Authorized Users on a
single Account and/or related Accounts or corporate affiliates are here
considered as one person.
How arbitration works
• Arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association
(“AAA”) according to this arbitration provision and the applicable AAA
arbitration rules in effect when the claim is filed (“AAA Rules”), except
where those rules conflict with this arbitration provision. You can obtain
copies of the AAA Rules at the AAA’s website (www.adr.org) or by
calling 800-778-7879 (For TTY: Use 711 or other Relay Service). You
or we may choose to have a hearing, appear at any hearing by phone
or other electronic means, and/or be represented by counsel. Any in-
person hearing will be held in the same city as the U.S. District Court
closest to your billing address.
• Arbitration may be requested at any time, even where there is a
pending lawsuit, unless a trial has begun or a final judgment entered.
Neither you nor we waive the right to arbitrate by filing or serving a
complaint, answer, counterclaim, motion or discovery in a court lawsuit.
To choose arbitration, a party may file a motion to compel arbitration
in a pending matter and/or commence arbitration by submitting the
required AAA forms and requisite filing fees to the AAA.
• The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator in accord
with this arbitration provision and the AAA Rules, which may limit
discovery. The arbitrator shall not apply any federal or state rules of
civil procedure for discovery, but the arbitrator shall honor claims of
privilege recognized at law and shall take reasonable steps to protect
Account information and other confidential information of either party if
requested to do so. The arbitrator shall apply applicable substantive law
consistent with the FAA and applicable statute of limitations, and may
award damages or other relief under applicable law.
• The arbitrator shall make any award in writing and, if requested by you
or us, may provide a brief statement of the reasons for the award.
An arbitration award shall decide the rights and obligations only of
the parties named in the arbitration, and shall not have any bearing on
any other person or dispute.
Paying for arbitration fees
• We’ll pay your share of the arbitration fee for an arbitration of Claims
of $75,000 or less if they are unrelated to debt collection. Otherwise,
arbitration fees will be allocated according to the applicable AAA
Rules. If we prevail, we may not recover our arbitration fees, unless the
arbitrator decides your Claim was frivolous. All parties are responsible
for their own attorney’s fees, expert fees and any other expenses,
unless the arbitrator awards such fees or expenses to you or us based
on applicable law.
The final award
• Any award by an arbitrator is final unless a party appeals it in writing
to the AAA within 30 days of notice of the award. The arbitration
appeal shall be determined by a panel of 3 arbitrators. The panel will
consider all facts and legal issues anew based on the same evidence
presented in the prior arbitration, and will make decisions based on
a majority vote. Arbitration fees for the arbitration appeal shall be
allocated according to the applicable AAA Rules. An award by a panel
on appeal is final. A final award is subject to judicial review as provided
by applicable law.
Survival and Severability of Terms
This arbitration provision shall survive changes in this Agreement and
termination of the Account or the relationship between you and us,
including the bankruptcy of any party and any sale of your Account, or
amounts owed on your Account, to another person or entity. If any part
of this arbitration provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable, the other
terms shall remain in force, except that there can be no arbitration of
a class or representative Claim. This arbitration provision may not be
amended, severed or waived, except as provided in this Agreement or in
a written agreement between you and us.
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ARBITRATION
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