The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law has scheduled a Hearing on the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 (H.R. 3010) for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2007. Witnesses have not yet been announced. The bill would declare that no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of: (1) an employment, consumer, or franchise dispute, or (2) a dispute arising under any statute intended to protect civil rights or to regulate contracts or transactions between parties of unequal bargaining power. Arbitration provisions in collective bargaining agreements would be exempted from the Act and would remain lawful and enforceable.

• WATCH LIST:  The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007