Can the other party challenge only the attorney's fees after arbitration?

Can a court review part of an arbitration award?

Courts have very limited power to review arbitration decisions. They generally will not re-examine the merits or second-guess the arbitrator's judgment.

To challenge the award (including fees), the party usually must show issues like fraud, misconduct, or that the arbitrator exceeded their authority.

What does it mean if they filed something anyway?

A party can still file a motion or exception, but that does not mean it will succeed. Courts often reject attempts to modify only part of an award unless there is a clear legal basis.

If the arbitrator specifically denied attorney's fees, that decision is typically treated as part of the final award.

What to do next...

1. Review the arbitration award and reasoning on fees.
2. Check the grounds they are claiming in their court filing.
3. Be prepared to respond within required deadlines.
4. Consider how local rules treat arbitration challenges.

What to consider in your specific situation

While arbitration awards are usually final, outcomes can vary based on specific facts.

• The wording of your arbitration agreement.
• Whether the arbitrator addressed fees clearly.
• The legal basis the other party is claiming.
• Local laws governing arbitration review.
• Whether any procedural issues occurred during arbitration.
• The timing and type of court filing they made.

Arbitration is designed to limit ongoing disputes, so challenges are typically narrow and difficult to win. Since every situation is different, consider more information through Rocket Copilot, a Legal Pro, or a legal document review to move forward with confidence.