Rhode Island § 28-9-5 - Arbitration of Labor Controversies

§ 28-9-5. Superior court order of arbitration.

(a) The making of an agreement for arbitration shall be deemed a consent of the parties to the arbitration to the jurisdiction of the superior court of this state to enforce the agreement. A party aggrieved by the failure, neglect, or refusal of another to perform under a contract or submission providing for arbitration, may petition the superior court, or a judge of that court, for an order directing that the arbitration proceed in the manner provided for in the contract or submission.

(b) Five (5) days’ notice in writing of the application shall be served upon the party in default. Service shall be made in the manner specified in the contract or submission, and if no manner of service is specified, then in the manner provided by law for personal service of a summons, within or without the state, or substituted service of a summons, or upon satisfactory proof that the aggrieved party has been or will be unable with due diligence to make service in any of the previously mentioned manners, then the notice shall be served in the manner that the court or judge directs.

(c) A judge of the superior court shall hear the parties and upon being satisfied that there is no substantial issue as to the making of the contract or submission or the failure to comply with it, the court or the judge hearing the application shall make an order directing the parties to proceed to arbitration in accordance with the terms of the contract or submission.