Judge Refuses to Disqualify Party Arbitrator, Consolidate Arbitrations

NEW YORK - A New York federal judge has denied a petition to disqualify an arbitrator appointed by National Indemnity Co. in a reinsurance dispute, ruling that the reinsurer failed to identify any source of authority for the court to grant the relief sought. IRB-Brasil Resseguros S.A. v. National Indemnity Co., No. 11-1965 (S.D. N.Y.).

On Oct. 6, Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York also denied a petition to consolidate two arbitrations between NICO and IRB-Brasil Resseguros S.A., ruling that the issue of consolidation is for the arbitration panel to …