Gary Alessi v. Cornerstone Associates, Inc.

Branch, Judge.

Gary and Melissa Alessi appeal from an order of the Superior Court of Spalding County granting the petition of Cornerstone Associates, Inc. for an award of costs and attorney fees under Georgia’s offer of judgment statute, OCGA § 9-11-68. The Alessis contend that the trial court erred in granting the petition because in doing so it erroneously held that OCGA § 9-11-68 applies to claims that were decided during binding arbitration instead of civil litigation. For reasons explained more fully below, we agree with the Alessis and therefore reverse the order of the trial court.

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