Century Asks Mass. Federal Judge to Compel Arbitration of Reinsurance Dispute

BOSTON — Century Indemnity Co. has asked a Massachusetts federal judge to order arbitration of its reinsurance dispute with Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, arguing that awards issued in a prior arbitration do not preclude its arbitration demand.

In a May 6 petition filed before Judge Donald L. Cabell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Century further argues that arbitrators, not the court, should decide whether the reinsurance contracts require a single arbitration or multiple arbitrations.

According to the petition, Century and Lloyds’ are parties to reinsurance contracts that date back to the 1960s. Each of …