Reinsurer Says Underlying Asbestos Claims Improperly Arbitrated

PHILADELPHIA -- A reinsurer has filed a petition to compel arbitration, arguing that a number of underlying asbestos claims served on the insured have not been arbitrated properly. Argonaut Insurance Co. v. Century Indemnity Co., No. 05-05355 (E.D. Pa.).

The Oct. 13 petition filed by Argonaut Insurance in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania also seeks a declaration that Century Indemnity Co. may not consolidate the arbitration proceedings in the underlying claims.

The petition additionally seeks the dismissal of a 'fatally defective 'consolidated' arbitration demand by which Century Indemnity has sought to unilaterally force consolidation in …