AI Generated Opinion Summaries

This summary was computer-generated without any editorial revision. It is not official, has not been checked for accuracy, and is NOT citable.

Facts

• The Defendant, Christine Andazola, was subject to a default judgment entered against her in a case involving Absolute Resolutions Investments, LLC. The case was referred to mandatory arbitration under local rules, where no party sought relief other than a money judgment and the amount in question did not exceed fifty thousand dollars. The Defendant challenged the district court and the court-appointed arbitrator's authority to conduct the proceedings and enter the default judgment, citing possible procedural irregularities and inconsistencies with contractual provisions. Despite being duly notified, the Defendant failed to appear or participate in good faith in the arbitration proceedings.

Procedural History

• [Not applicable or not found]

Parties' Submissions

• Defendant-Appellant: Argued that the district court and the court-appointed arbitrator lacked the authority to conduct the underlying proceedings and to enter the default judgment against her. She suggested possible procedural irregularities and asserted that the proceedings were conducted in a manner inconsistent with contractual provisions (paras 2-3).
• Plaintiff-Appellee: [Not applicable or not found]

Legal Issues

• Whether the district court and the court-appointed arbitrator had the authority to conduct the underlying proceedings and to enter the default judgment against the Defendant.
• Whether the Defendant's failure to appear or participate in good faith in the arbitration proceedings justified the entry of a default judgment against her.
• Whether the district court erred in refusing to consider the Defendant's "Objection and Motion to Dismiss" filed after the default judgment was entered.

Disposition

• The Court of Appeals affirmed the default judgment entered against the Defendant (para 5).

Reasons

• Per Megan P. Duffy, J., with Jennifer L. Attrep, Chief Judge, and Gerald E. Baca, Judge, concurring: The Court found that the arbitration proceedings were conducted not pursuant to a contractual agreement but under local rules mandating arbitration for cases seeking only a money judgment not exceeding fifty thousand dollars. The Defendant was properly notified and had the opportunity to be heard but failed to appear or participate in good faith, leading to the entry of a default judgment against her. The Court also noted that objections or motions to dismiss are not matters district court judges are authorized to hear following the appointment of arbitrators under the applicable local rule. The Court concluded that the Defendant's appeal provided the judicial oversight she claimed was neglected and that her conduct, which limited the scope of arguments available to her on appeal, provided no basis for relief (paras 2-5).