Arbitration

Key point 10-16.8. Churches have various defenses available to them if they are sued as a result of a personal injury. One such defense is an arbitration policy. By adopting an arbitration policy, a church can compel members to arbitrate specified disputes with their church rather than pursue their claim in the civil courts.

Negligence as a Basis for Liability

* A New York court ruled that an arbitration clause in an employment contract between a synagogue and a rabbi was legally enforceable, and so the rabbi was barred from suing the synagogue in civil court for discrimination and wrongful termination. A synagogue chose not to renew the employment contract of its rabbi shortly after the rabbi disclosed that he had cancer. The rabbi sued the synagogue, claiming that its decision not to renew his contract amounted to wrongful termination and discrimination based on disability. The synagogue ...