Arbitration Panel Acted Within Scope of Authority in Considering ‘New Claims,’ N.J. Federal Judge Rules

NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey federal judge has confirmed an arbitration award issued in a construction contract dispute, finding that the arbitration tribunal acted within the scope of its authority to adjudicate certain claims.

On Dec. 9, Judge William J. Martini of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey further held that the party challenging the award was given a full and fair opportunity to dispute the claims.

In August 2006, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded the Louis Berger Corp., a U.S. architectural and engineering firm, a contract to reconstruct a road …