Ex Parte Isbell

I wrote the original opinion that was released March 7, 1997. That opinion affirmed the trial court's order compelling arbitration of the Isbells' claims. Justices Maddox, Houston, and See concurred in my opinion. Justice Butts concurred in the result. That opinion did not state that the Isbells had no valid claim, nor did it say that Southern had a defense to the Isbells' claims. It simply stated that the parties must arbitrate the dispute in accordance with the arbitration agreement contained in the installment sales contract with American Housing. Since March 7, 1997, the Court has changed…