§ 2-23-107 - Committee -- Investigation and report -- Findings as evidence. - Arkansas Statutes

2-23-107. Committee -- Investigation and report -- Findings as evidence.

(a) When the Director of the State Plant Board refers to the arbitration committee any complaint made by a buyer against a dealer or labeler, the committee shall make a full and complete investigation of the matters complained of and at the conclusion of the investigation, report through its secretary the findings and recommendations to the buyer and to the labeler by United States registered mail.

(b) (1) The report of arbitration shall be binding upon all parties to the extent, if any, that they have so agreed:

(A) In any contract governing the sale of the seed; or

(B) Prior to the official filing of arbitration.

(2) In the absence of an agreement to be bound by arbitration, a buyer may commence legal proceedings against a seller or assert such claim, as a counterclaim or defense in any action brought by the seller, at any time after the receipt of the report of arbitration.

(3) (A) In any litigation involving a complaint which has been the subject of arbitration under this section, any party may introduce the report of arbitration as evidence of the facts found in the report, and the court may give such weight to the committee's findings and conclusions of law and recommendations as to damages and costs as the court may see fit based upon all the evidence before the court.

(B) The court may also take into account any findings of the committee with respect to the failure of any party to cooperate in the arbitration proceedings, including any finding as to the effect of delay in filing the arbitration claim upon the committee's ability to determine the facts of the case.