In the Matter of the Arbitration Between Murray Siegel, Respondent, and Henry Lewis, Appellant

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that the prior attorney‑client and accountant relationships of the designated arbitrators did not warrant their advance disqualification, reversing the Special Term’s order and dismissing the petition. The Court emphasized that arbitration is a contractual choice and that disclosed relationships, absent fraud or undue influence, are permissible. Chief Judge Breitel concurred in the reversal but limited his reasoning to the necessity of the result. The decision affirms parties’ freedom to select arbitrators despite known relationships.