Sec. 15.
(1) An arbitrator may conduct an arbitration in the manner that the arbitrator considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the proceeding. The authority conferred on the arbitrator includes the power to hold conferences with the parties to the arbitration proceeding before the hearing and, among other matters, determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality, and weight of any evidence.
(2) An arbitrator may decide a request for summary disposition of a claim or particular issue if either of the following applies:
(a) All interested parties agree.
(b) On request of 1 party to the arbitration proceeding if the party gives notice to all other parties to the proceeding and the other parties have a reasonable opportunity to respond.
(3) If an arbitrator orders a hearing, the arbitrator shall set a time and place and give notice of the hearing not less than 5 days before the hearing begins. Unless a party to the arbitration proceeding makes an objection to lack or insufficiency of notice not later than the beginning of the hearing, the party's appearance at the hearing waives the objection. On request of a party to the arbitration proceeding and for good cause shown, or on the arbitrator's own initiative, the arbitrator may adjourn the hearing from time to time as necessary but shall not postpone the hearing to a time later than that fixed by the agreement to arbitrate for making the award unless the parties to the arbitration proceeding consent to a later date. The arbitrator may hear and decide the controversy on the evidence produced although a party who was duly notified of the arbitration proceeding did not appear. The court, on request, may direct the arbitrator to conduct the hearing promptly and render a timely decision.
(4) At a hearing under subsection (3), a party to the arbitration proceeding has a right to be heard, to present evidence material to the controversy, and to cross-examine witnesses appearing at the hearing.
(5) If an arbitrator ceases or is unable to act during the arbitration proceeding, a replacement arbitrator must be appointed in accordance with section 11 to continue the proceeding and to resolve the controversy.
History: 2012, Act 371, Eff. July 1, 2013
Structure Michigan Compiled Laws
Act 371 of 2012 - Uniform Arbitration Act (691.1681 - 691.1713)
Section 691.1681 - Short Title; Definitions.
Section 691.1683 - Agreement to Arbitrate; When Act Applies.
Section 691.1684 - Effect of Agreement to Arbitrate; Nonwaivable Provisions.
Section 691.1685 - Request for Judicial Relief.
Section 691.1686 - Validity of Agreement to Arbitrate.
Section 691.1687 - Order to Compel or Stay Arbitration.
Section 691.1688 - Provisional Remedies.
Section 691.1689 - Initiation of Arbitration.
Section 691.1690 - Consolidation of Separate Arbitration Proceedings.
Section 691.1691 - Appointment of Arbitrator; Service as Neutral Arbitrator.
Section 691.1692 - Disclosure by Arbitrator.
Section 691.1693 - Action by Majority.
Section 691.1694 - Immunity of Arbitrator; Competency to Testify; Attorney Fees and Costs.
Section 691.1695 - Arbitration Process.
Section 691.1696 - Representation by Lawyer.
Section 691.1697 - Witnesses; Subpoenas; Depositions; Discovery.
Section 691.1698 - Judicial Enforcement of Preaward of Ruling by Arbitrator.
Section 691.1700 - Modification or Correction of Award by Arbitrator.
Section 691.1701 - Remedies; Fees and Expenses of Arbitration Proceeding.
Section 691.1702 - Confirmation of Award.
Section 691.1703 - Vacating Award.
Section 691.1704 - Modification or Correction of Award.
Section 691.1705 - Judgment on Award; Attorney Fees and Litigation.
Section 691.1706 - Jurisdiction.
Section 691.1709 - Uniformity of Application and Construction.
Section 691.1710 - Relationship to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.