Arbitration Provision

  • Effective Date of this version: December 1, 2009

    You and we agree that either party at the party’s sole election, can require that any Claim (as defined below) be resolved by binding arbitration.

    IF YOU OR WE ELECT ARBTIRATION OF A CLAIM, NEITHER YOU NOR WE WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE THAT CLAIM IN COURT OR BEFORE A JUDGE OR JURY OR TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION OR ANY OTHER COLLECTIVE OR REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDING. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW, THE ARBITRATOR’S DECISION WILL BE FINAL AND BINDING. OTHER RIGHTS THAT EITHER PARTY WOULD HAVE IF IT WENT TO COURT, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CONDUCT DISCOVERY OR TO APPEAL, MAY BE LIMITED OR UNAVAILABLE IN ARBITRATION. THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH ARBITRATION MAY BE HIGHER THAN THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH COURT PROCEEDINGS.

    Special Definitions for this Arbitration Provision. For the purposed of this arbitration provision (“Arbitration Provision”), the following definition shall apply:

    “Claim” means any claim, controversy or dispute of any kind or nature between you and us.

    Arbitration Administrators. One of the following arbitration administrators (“Administrator” or, collectively, “Administrators”) will administer the arbitration:

    JAMS
    18881 Von Karman Ave., Suite 350
    Irvine, CA 92612
    www.jamsadr.com

    American Arbitration Association
    120 Broadway, Floor 21
    New York, NY 10271
    www.adr.org

    You may contact either of the Administrators to obtain information about arbitration, arbitration rules and procedures, fee schedules and claim forms.

    Election and Initiation of Arbitration. You or we may elect arbitration under this Arbitration Provision with respect to any Claim, even if the Claim is part of a lawsuit brought in court. You or we may make a motion or request in court to compel arbitration of any Claim brought as part of any lawsuit. We will not elect or initiate arbitration of any Claim brought in a small claims court (or the equivalent), so long as the Claim remains in that court, is made solely on behalf of an individual and is not made as part of a class action, private attorney general action or other representative or collective action. You and we must follow the rules of the Administrators to initiate arbitration. If you initiate arbitration, you may choose one of the Administrators, and you must mail us any notice required by the Administrator to “Crocs Legal Dept., 13601 Via Varra, Broomfield, CO 80020”. If we initiate arbitration, we will choose one of the Administrators, and will mail notify you in a manner likely to give you actual notice. If we have initiated arbitration, we will change the Administrator at your request if you notify us in writing at the above address within fifteen days of the date of any notice we send you of our initiation of arbitration.

    Procedures and Law Applicable in Arbitration. This Arbitration Provision is made pursuant to a transaction involving interstate commerce and shall be governed by and enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act (the “FAA”). Questions about whether any Claim is subject to arbitration shall be resolved by interpreting this Arbitration Provision in the broadest way it may be enforced, consistent with the FAA and the terms of this Arbitration Provision. The arbitrator will apply substantive law consistent with the FAA and applicable statutes of limitations, but the validity and enforcement of any class action waiver is a question for a court of competent jurisdiction, not an arbitrator, to decide. The arbitrator may award any damages or other relief permitted by applicable substantive law (but will not have power to review the enforceability or severability of the paragraph “No Consolidation or Joinder of Parties,” below), but the award shall determine the rights and obligations of only the named parties and only with respect to the Claims in arbitration. The rules and procedures of the Administrator, which you may obtain from the Administrator, shall govern the arbitration unless they conflict with this Arbitration Provision, in which case this Arbitration Provision will apply. The arbitrator will not be bound by, and this Arbitration Provision shall not be subject to, the federal, state or local rules of procedure and evidence that would apply in any court, or to state or local laws that relate to arbitration proceedings. You or we may have a hearing in arbitration. Any arbitration hearing that you attend in person will take place at a location in the federal judicial district most convenient for you. You or we may be represented by counsel. If you or we request, the arbitrator will honor claims of privilege recognized under applicable law and will use best efforts to protect confidential information (including through the use of protective orders). The arbitrator will make any award in writing and, at the timely request of either party, will provide a written statement of reasons for the award.

    Costs. The party initiating arbitration will pay the initial filing fee. You may seek a waiver of the initial filing fee or any of the Administrator’s other fees (collectively, “Administrator’s Fees”) under any applicable rules of the Administrator. If you seek, but do not qualify for, a waiver, we will consider any written request by you for us to pay or reimburse you for all or part of the Administrator’s Fees if the arbitrator determines there is good reason for us to do so. We will pay any fees and costs we are required to pay by law. Otherwise, and except as provided in this Agreement, you and we will bear all of our respective fees and costs (including the Administrator’s Fees and the fees and costs relating to attorneys, experts and witnesses), regardless of who prevails. Allocation of fees and costs relating to appeals in arbitration will be handled in the same manner.

    No Consolidation or Joinder of Parties. The arbitration of any Claim must proceed on an individual basis, even if the Claim has been asserted in a court as a class action, private attorney general action or other representative or collective action. Unless all parties consent, neither you nor we may join, consolidate or otherwise bring Claims related to two or more accounts, individuals or accountholders in the same arbitration. Also, unless all parties consent, neither you nor we may pursue a class action, private attorney general action or other representative or collective action in arbitration, nor may you or we pursue such actions in Court if any party has elected arbitration. You will not have the right to act as a class representative or participate as a member of a class of claimants with respect to any Claim as to which arbitration has been elected.

    Judgment, Enforcement, Finality and Appeal. The arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding after fifteen days unless you or we seek an appeal of the award by making a written request to the Administrator. The appeal panel, which will consist of three arbitrators, will consider all factual and legal issues anew, will conduct the appeal in the same manner as the initial arbitration and will make decisions based on the vote of the majority. The panel’s decision will be final and binding. Any final decision of the arbitrator or of the appeal panel is subject to judicial review only as set forth under the FAA. An award in arbitration will be enforceable under the FAA by any court having jurisdiction.

    Miscellaneous, Waiver, Severability, Survival. If you or we do not elect arbitration or otherwise enforce this Arbitration Provision in connection with any particular Claim, you or we will not waive any rights to require arbitration in connection with that or any other Claim. This Arbitration Provision shall survive: (i) suspension, termination, revocation of a Crocs Gift Card or changes of the terms and conditions; (ii) the bankruptcy or insolvency of any party; and (iii) any transfer of a Crocs Gift Card you purchased to any other person or entity. If any portion of this Arbitration Provision is deemed invalid unenforceable, the remaining portions of this Arbitration Provision shall nevertheless remain valid and in force. In the event of a conflict or inconsistency between this Arbitration Provision and the other provisions of the terms and conditions, this Arbitration Provision shall govern. A photocopy or other image of the terms and conditions may be used in place of the originals for all purposes including litigation.