§53.1.7 Significant Authorities

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§53.1.7 SIGNIFICANT AUTHORITIES

In 1992, the Washington Supreme Court issued an extensive opinion comparing and contrasting arbitration under Chapter 7.04 RCW with a trial by referee under Chapter 4.48 RCW. Barnett v. Hicks, 119 Wn.2d 151,829P.2d1087 (1992). The Barnett case involved a dispute between a pastor and the board of directors of a church over the control of the church. The parties stipulated to have the matter decided by a retired judge. When the parties sought to appeal the decision, the Supreme Court on its own motion dismissed the appeal on the basis that the parties had agreed to an arbitration rather than a referred matter. As the court noted, appeals from arbitrations are severely limited whereas...