Routh v. Snap-On Tools Corp.

LEWIS, Judge.

The issues addressed on appeal in this case are whether the trial judge erred: 1) in failing to determine whether a valid arbitration agreement exists pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 1-567.3(a), and 2) in failing to conclude as a matter of law that there is a valid agreement requiring the case to be sent to arbitration.

In January of 1986 plaintiff Donald Routh (hereinafter “plaintiff”) contracted with the defendant Snap-On Tools Corporation (hereinafter “Snap-On Tools”) to become a Snap-On Tools dealer. Plaintiff invested thousands of dollars and incurred large debts for his dealership.…