Order Administratively Closing Case Not Appealable Under FAA, 5th Cir. Rules

NEW ORLEANS — A district court’s order staying a case pending arbitration and administratively closing the case is not “final and appealable” under the Federal Arbitration Act because it did not “end the litigation on the merits,” the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled.

In dismissing an insured’s appeal of the order, the appellate court further explained that in administratively closing the case, the lower court was merely performing docket management so that the parties could easily reopen the action in the district court if further proceedings are necessary.

In September 2011, Southwestern Electric Power Co. sued its …