These rules apply to any arbitration agreement which either: (a) specifically references the American Health Law Association’s Rules of Procedure for Arbitration Appeals, or (b) can fairly be read to provide for AHLA to administer an appeal from an arbitration award.   

Except as stated below, AHLA will administer an appeal in accordance with its applicable rules of procedure for commercial, employment, or consumer disputes, including the fee schedule. If there is any conflict between those rules and the rules of procedure set forth below, the rules set forth below control. 

1. Scope 

Unless an agreement to arbitrate explicitly states otherwise, an arbitration award is final and cannot be appealed.  Parties must opt into the appellate procedures set forth below. 

2. Filing of Appeal 

An appeal must be filed within 30 days after a final award is issued.  If the award on appeal was issued in a proceeding administered by AHLA, the appeal may be filed on the case site used for the prior proceeding. If AHLA did not administer the prior proceeding, the appellant must file a new claim.

3. Impact of Filing 

The filing of an appeal renders the award at issue unenforceable. The filing party should move to stay any pending litigation to enforce or vacate the award.    

4. Appointment of Panel 

Unless the parties agree otherwise, an appeal will be heard by a panel of three arbitrators. 

5. Objection or Cross Appeal  

At any time before the appellate panel convenes a Status Conference, the appellee may object to an appeal and/or file a cross appeal. The filing fee for a cross appeal shall be the same as the filing fee paid by the appellant.

6 Standard of Review 

The appellate panel will adopt the standard of review of the intermediate appellate court in the jurisdiction that supplies the governing law for the dispute. If the parties cannot agree on the governing law, the appellate panel shall select whichever standard of review it deems to be most appropriate.   

7. Final Award 

The appellate panel, by a majority vote, must issue an award within thirty (30) days after the due date for final appellate briefs, if there is no oral argument, or thirty (30) days after oral argument. The Administrator may extend the time for issuing an award for non-payment of deposits or extenuating circumstances. 

The Final Award may affirm, reverse, or modify the Final Award on appeal. It may not remand the case.