Petition
(Confirm Arbitration Award) (NY)

Summary

This Petition (Confirm Arbitration Award) (NY) is a standard form that attorneys can use to commence a special proceeding in New York Supreme Court to confirm an arbitration award under Article 75 of New York's Civil Practice Law and Rules (C.P.L.R.). This template contains practical guidance, drafting notes, and alternate clauses. An arbitration award is not a judgment. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 7514. To obtain a judgment based on an arbitration award, a party first must move to confirm the award. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. §§ 7502, 7510. The award is not enforceable unless and until the court confirms it and reduces it to a final judgment. There are two procedural mechanisms a party may use to confirm an arbitration award: • Commence a special proceeding. Where there is no action pending between the parties relating to the arbitration, the party seeking to confirm the award must initiate a special proceeding. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 7502(a). • File a motion. Where there is an action pending between the parties relating to the arbitration, typically because a party moved to compel or stay arbitration, the party seeking to confirm the award may file a motion in that action. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 7502(a). To commence a special proceeding, you must file a petition in the proper court and county the arbitration agreement specifies. The petition is similar to and must comply with the requirements for a complaint. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 402. You may file a petition to confirm an arbitration award at any time within one year after your client receives the award. See N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 7510. To ensure your application is timely, take steps to confirm the arbitration award promptly after the arbitrator issues the award. For related templates, see Petition (Vacate or Modify Arbitration Award) (NY) and Petition (Compel or Stay Arbitration) (NY). For information on vacating or modifying awards in New York, see Arbitration Awards: Vacating or Modifying (NY). For a detailed discussion of confirming an arbitration award, see Weinstein, Korn & Miller, New York Civil Practice: CPLR P 7510.00–7510.16.