REVIEW POWERS OF A MASTER ARBITRATOR EXPLAINED; HERE THE MASTER ARBITRATOR’S AWARD WAS PROPERLY VACATED AND THE ORIGINAL ARBITRATOR’S AWARD WAS PROPERLY REINSTATED (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department determined Supreme Court had properly vacated the master arbitrator’s award and reinstated the original arbitrator’s award in this no-fault benefit case. The court explained the authority of a master arbitrator:
A master arbitrator may not review the facts by weighing the evidence, assessing the credibility of witnesses, or making independent findings of fact … . A master arbitrator’s review powers, however, do include reviewing the facts to determine “whether or not the evidence is sufficient, as a matter of law, to support the determination of the arbitrator” … . Here, there is no rational basis for the determination of the master arbitrator that the original arbitrator committed an error of law … . Matter of V.S. Care Acupuncture, P.C. v Country-Wide Ins. Co., 2019 NY Slip Op 07265, Second Dept 10-9-19