Panel Authorized to Award Attorney Fees, 11th Circuit Rules

ATLANTA - An arbitration panel did not exceed its powers in awarding attorney fees to a prevailing party because the parties' arbitration agreement authorized the panel to make such an award, a federal appeals court has affirmed. White Springs Agricultural Chemicals Inc. v. Glawson Investments Corp., No. 10-14532 (11th Cir.).

The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Nov. 14 further ruled that the issue of attorney fees was properly presented to the panel, therefore the award should not be vacated.

White Springs Agricultural Chemicals Inc. operates phosphate mining, production, and processing facilities in Florida. Some of its mining activities …