Shakespeare Foundation, Inc. v. Jackson

In this appeal we consider whether the terms of a real estate contract required Appellants to arbitrate their tort claim. The trial court below determined the contract’s arbitration clause required arbitration, and dismissed the complaint. We reverse, finding that Appellants’ claim was not significantly related to the contract; thus, the contract’s arbitration clause did not govern the dispute. We further hold that opinions applying the Federal Arbitration Act do not control, because the transaction at issue here does not affect interstate commerce.

*1197 FACTS

The parties’ contract was for real…