Money, Politics and Judicial Decisions: A Case Study of Arbitration Law in Alabama

41 Pages Posted: 30 Apr 2001

See all articles by Stephen J. Ware

Stephen J. Ware

University of Kansas - School of Law

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study of 106 decisions by the Supreme Court of Alabama from January 18, 1995 through July 9, 1999. The decisions are in the area of arbitration law and reveal the remarkably close correlation between a justice's votes on arbitration cases and his or her primary source or campaign funds. Justices whose election campaigns are funded by plaintiffs' lawyers oppose arbitration, whereas justices whose campaigns are funded by business favor arbitration. The correlation holds not just with regard to ideologically-charged doctrines, like unconscionability, but also with seemingly bland questions of contract formation, interpretation and waiver.

Suggested Citation

Ware, Stephen J., Money, Politics and Judicial Decisions: A Case Study of Arbitration Law in Alabama. Journal of Law & Politics, Vol. 15, No. 645, 1999, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=262579

Stephen J. Ware (Contact Author)

University of Kansas - School of Law ( email )

Green Hall
1535 W. 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045-7577
United States
785-864-9209 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.ku.edu/ware

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