Arbitrators, Not Court, Should Decide Consolidation Issue, Georgia Federal Judge Rules

ATLANTA — A Georgia federal judge has refused to consolidate two reinsurance arbitrations under the Federal Arbitration Act and Missouri state law, ruling that this issue is for the arbitrators to decide.

On March 13, Chief Judge Julie E. Carnes of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia also denied a reinsurer’s request to stay the arbitration and the cedent’s request for pre-hearing security, ruling that these are also issues best reserved for the arbitrators.

Excalibur Reinsurance Corp.’s predecessor, PMA Capital Insurance Co., reinsured Georgia Casualty & Surety Co. under two reinsurance contracts, entitled First Excess Multiple …