{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-4407","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 16-4407","heading":"Motion to compel or stay arbitration.","body":"(a)\nOn motion of a person showing an agreement to arbitrate and alleging another person’s refusal to arbitrate pursuant to the agreement:\n(1)\nIf the refusing party does not appear or does not oppose the motion, the court shall order the parties to arbitrate; and\n(2)\nIf the refusing party opposes the motion, the court shall proceed summarily to decide the issue and order the parties to arbitrate unless it finds that there is no enforceable agreement to arbitrate.\n\n(b)\nOn motion of a person alleging that an arbitration proceeding has been initiated or threatened but that there is no agreement to arbitrate, the court shall proceed summarily to decide the issue. If the court finds that there is an enforceable agreement to arbitrate, it shall order the parties to arbitrate.\n\n(c)\nIf the court finds that there is no enforceable agreement, it may not, pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, order the parties to arbitrate.\n\n(d)\nThe court may not refuse to order arbitration because the claim subject to arbitration lacks merit or grounds for the claim have not been established.\n\n(e)\nIf a party makes a motion to the court to order arbitration, the court, on just terms, shall stay any judicial proceeding that involves a claim alleged to be subject to the arbitration until the court renders a final decision under this section.\n\n(f)\nIf the court orders arbitration, the court, on just terms, shall stay any judicial proceeding that involves a claim subject to the arbitration. If a claim subject to the arbitration is severable, the court may limit the stay to that claim.","path":["Title 16. Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]","Chapter 44. Arbitration; Revised Uniform Act."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/16-4407","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"e0b7e901740b1c048dd08c47d1e879d837c3a351fe7e5836af91d0287ec7ea5a","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-4406","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-4408"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}