Mississippi § 11-15-103 - Agreements to submit controversies to arbitration; refusal of binding arbitration provisions in public contracts.

§ 11-15-103. Agreements to submit controversies to arbitration; refusal of binding arbitration provisions in public contracts.

Two (2) or more parties referred to in Section 11-15-101 may agree in writing to submit to arbitration any controversy existing between them at the time of the agreement, or they may include in a written contract a provision for the settlement by arbitration of any controversy thereafter arising between them relating to such contract or the failure or refusal to perform the whole or any part thereof. Such agreement or provision shall be valid, enforceable and irrevocable without regard to the justiciable character of the controversy. Provided, however, that in the event either party to such an agreement initiates litigation against the other with respect to such agreement, such arbitration provision shall be deemed waived unless asserted as a defense on or before the responding party is required to answer to such litigation. Whenever a provision for binding arbitration is included in the contract documents of a public contract, any bidder may refuse to accept such clause and shall so state on the bid document before entering into such public contract, and such refusal shall not be cause to reject any bid on, or refuse the award of such public contract.