Arbitration: 30-Day Deadline To Pay Arbitration Fees For Employee’s Arbitration Expenses Runs From Receipt Of Invoice

Fifth District Reversed An Order Withdrawing The Case From Arbitration Because Evidence Showed JAMS Invoice Not Received Until Later By Employer.

               Construing CCP § 1281.98 through plain dictionary meanings, the Fifth District in Lopez v. Landscape Development, Inc., Case No. F085676 (5^th Dist. Mar. 7, 2024) (unpublished) reversed an order withdrawing a case from arbitration and imposing sanctions on employer when the record showed employer did not receive a JAMS invoice until after its designated due date and then paid on time from date of receipt. The statute runs the 30-day payment deadline from receipt of the invoice, with prior JAMS emails and correspondence only talking about arbitral expenses and indicating an invoice would be sent later.