Halone's Auto Repair v. B & R Auto Wrecking

Plaintiff is an auto-repair shop and defendant is a supplier of auto parts. Plaintiff initiated this breach-of-warranty action in small claims court, seeking damages associated with the cost of replacing an allegedly defective rotary engine that plaintiff had bought from defendant, “plus storage.” Defendant demanded a jury trial in circuit court and the matter subsequently was referred to an arbitrator, who held in defendant’s favor. See ORS 36.400(4) (small-claims actions that are transferred to circuit court are subject to mandatory arbitration requirements). Plaintiff requested a trial de…