fine printPreparations are underway for the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia. The Draft Democratic Platform unequivocally supports an individual’s right to his or her day in court and efforts to limit forced arbitration clauses in employment and service contracts. It provides as follows:

“The Democratic Party believes consumers and workers who have been mistreated should never be denied their right to fight for fair treatment under the law. That is why we will support efforts to limit the use of forced arbitration clauses in employment and service contracts that unfairly strip workers, consumers, and students of their right to their day in court.”

This is the first time that a major American political party has publicly taken a stand against forced arbitration in its party platform, and is a hopeful sign of increasing awareness of the harm caused by forced arbitration.