Thomas-Kerr v. Brown

Following an arbitration award in an auto accident case, Frederick Brown requested a trial de novo within the 20 days required by statute. The plaintiff, Alva Thomas-Kerr, did not file a similar request. The mandatory arbitration rules provide that “any” aggrieved party may request a trial de novo. Later, Brown withdrew his request, and the court entered judgment on the underlying arbitration award. Thomas-Kerr appeals, arguing that the court should have proceeded with a trial. But she did not preserve her right to a trial de novo as provided in the mandatory arbitration rules. We affirm the…