Date: 10-31-2008

Case Style: Case Handyman and Remodeling Services, LLC, et al.

Case Number: No. 2134 September Term, 2007

Judge: Graeff

Court: Court of Special Appeals of Maryland

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Appellants, Case Handyman and Remodeling Services, LLC, and Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. (collectively, “Case Handyman”), appeal from an order of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County denying their motion to compel arbitration w ith appellees, Judith and Albert Sc huele (“the Schueles” ). On appeal, Case Handyman presents the following two issues for our review, which we have reworded and reorganized as follows:

1. Did the circuit court err in denying the motion to compel arbitration wh ere the Schueles are suing Case Handyman in connection with a contract containing a mandatory arbitration clause that covers “[a]ny controvers y/claim” arising f rom or relate d to the con tract?

2. Did the circuit court err in denying the motion to compel arbitration without holding a hearing?1 For the reasons that follow, we hold that the trial court erred in denying the motion to compel arbitration.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On November 21, 2006, the Schueles entered into a home improvem ent contrac t with Shaun Arnold, a Baltimore County contractor and franchisee of Case Handyman.2 Both Case Handyman and the Schueles refer to Mr. Arnold’s home improvement company as Professional Home Repair, Inc. (PHR).3 PHR signed the contract as “Case Handyman Services.” At the bottom of each pag e of the co ntract was a street address in Hunt Valley, Maryland, and the phrase “Independently Owned and Operated.”

Pursuant to the agreement, PHR agreed to perform “remodeling and/or repair work” on the Schue les’ home in Towson, Maryland, which included the construction of “a second story structure” containing “two bedrooms [and] two full bathrooms . . . .” For this work, the Schueles agreed to pay $165,000, of which they paid 20 percent, or $39,800, at signing.

The Schueles wrote two checks to Case Handyman, one in the amount of $39,800 for the down payment, and the other for $2,700 for “written plans.” The former check was made out to “Case Handyman Remodeling ,” while the latter was payable to “Case Handyman Services.” Case Handyman Services endorsed and deposited both checks. The eight-page contract set forth a payment draw schedule and described th e work to be performed by the contractor. It also incorporated a “General Conditions” section, which contained an arbitration clause providing as follows:

2. CLAIMS - Any controversy/claim arising out of or relating to this contract or its breach thereof, shall be settled by final and binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in the Baltimore metropolitan area in accordance with the Construction Industry Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. (Emphasis in o riginal.)

In March, 2007, Arnold informed the Schueles that “he no longer had their funds, and that he would not begin work.” He added that he was considering filing for bankruptcy protection. The Schueles assert in their complaint that Arnold later filed a “personal bankruptcy, but no corporate franchise with the ‘Case’ name is listed as a party in that bankruptcy matter.” On June 6, 2007, after PHR failed to commence work on the project, and after Arnold filed for personal bankruptcy, the Schueles filed a class action complaint against Case Handyman in the Circuit Court for B altim ore County.4 The complaint alleged breaches of contract (Coun ts I and II); fraud (Counts III through V); violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act (Count VI); and negligence (Count VII). In response, on August 15, 2007, C ase Handyman filed a “Motio n to Dismiss, or in the Altern ative, to Compel Arbitration and Stay Proceedings,” along with a memorandum of law in support of its motion, and a request for a hearing. The circuit court, in an order dated September 7, 2007, granted Case Handyman’s motion to dismiss or compel arbitration, without explan ation. The orde r stated th at it was issued “ [u]pon consideration of . . . any hearing ,” and noted that “[n]o response [was] filed” by the Schueles. The record indicates, however, that the Schueles filed an opposition to Case Handyman’s motion on August 31, 2007, and, according to Case Handyman, the court held no hearings on its motion.

The docket entries reflect that, on September 17, 2007, the circuit court struck its September 7 order and denied Case Handyman’s motion to dismiss or compel arbitration.

No September 17, 2007 order is in the record, and Case Handyman stated in its M otion to Alter or Amend Judgment that “[t]here is no written order” explaining the basis for the September 17 ruling. The docket entries reflect the following:

0007000 Open Court Proceeding 09/17/07 09/17/07 000 JGT September 14, 20 07 Hon. John G. Turnbull, II Order da ted 9/7/07 to be stricken, answer was filed. M otion to dismiss or Compel (Paper 4000) - Denied.

0008000 Ruling from Judge Turnbull - Strike 9/14/07 09/18/07 000 TBA Order of 9/7/07 (Answer[] was filed) Motion to dismiss or compel, Denied. Notices sent

The parties agree that, despite the language referring to an “Open Court Proceeding,” no hearing was held.

On September 24, 2007 , Case Handyman filed a Mo tion to Alter or Amend Judgment and a Re quest for H earing, and the Schue les filed an O pposition to Defend ants’ Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment on October 11, 2007. By order filed on October 18, 2007, the circuit court denied Case Handyman’s motion. It further denied Case Handyman’s request for a hearing, citing Maryland Rule 2-311.5 This appeal followed.

DISCUSSION

I.

The issue presented in this appeal is whether the circuit court erred in denying Case Handyman’s motion to dismiss or compel arbitration. Case Handyman offers several reasons why the circuit court erred in denying its motion. Initially, it argues that the arbitration provision in the home improvement contract is enforceable against the Schueles under the doctrine of “equitable estoppe l,” for two reasons: (1) their claims are predicated on the contract; and (2) the claims raise allegations of “‘substantially interdependent and concerted misconduct’” by PHR and Case Handyman. Moreover, Case Handyman maintains that the court’s ruling denying the motion to compel arbitration contravenes Maryland’s public policy favoring the enforcement of arbitration agreements. Finally, Case Handyman contends that the court erred by “completely dispos[ing] of a claim” after Case Handyman had requested a hearing, in violation of M aryland Rule 2-311(f).

In response, the Schueles argue that the c ircuit cou rt correctly denied Case Handyman’s motion because they “never agreed to arbitrate any disputes with Case, and Case never entered into any agreement with the Schueles.” In their view, Case Handyman is not entitled to enforce the arbitration p rovision un der the doc trine of equ itable estoppel because Case Handyman’s liability is premised upon “its d uties under Maryland common law and statutes, not by PHR’s contractual duties.” Moreover, the Schueles argue that Case Handyman has not shown detrimental reliance, a required element of equitable estoppel.

Additionally, the Schueles contend that the arbitration provision is unenforceable on the ground that it violates “the provisions of the Code of Maryland Regulations specifically addressing arbitration clauses in home improvement contracts.” With respect to the argument that the circuit court err ed in denying the motion without a hearing, the Schueles maintain that Case Handyman “had an adequate opportunity to be heard” in the proceedings below, as the “‘hearing ’ required under Rule 2 -311 need not include oral argument.”

We hold that the doctrine of equitable estoppel is applicable here because the Schueles’ claims against Case Handyman are predicated on the contract, which contains a broad arbitration clause, requiring arbitration for “[a]ny controversy/claim arising out of or relating to the contract or its breach thereof. . . .” Accordingly, the Schueles are estopped from refusing arbitration with Case Handyman. W e also hold th at the contrac t was in substantial compliance with the Code of Maryland Regulations (“COMAR”) 09.08.01.25, and that, given the state policy favoring arbitration agreements, any deviation from the requirements in COMAR does not defeat the arbitration provision of the contract here.

A. Appealability/Standard of Review

Maryland Code (2006 Repl. Vol.), § 12-301(a) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article (“C.J.”), autho rizes an app eal of a final judgment. “‘[A] trial court’s order either compelling or denying arbitration is a final judgment under C.J. § 12-301.’” Harris v. Bridgford, 153 Md. App. 193, 201 (2003) (quoting RTKL Assocs. v. B alt. County, 147 Md. App. 647, 655 (2002)). Accordingly, it is an appealable order . See Essex Corp. v. Susan Katharine Tate Burrowbridge, LLC, 178 Md. App. 17, 3 0 (2008) (d enial of petition to compel arbitration “is a prope r subject of appeal at this juncture”). With respect to the standard o f review to be applied , the theory of arb itrability is critical. Generally, courts review the grant or denial of arbitration de novo. See Questar Homes of Avalon, LLC v. Pillar Const., Inc., 388 Md. 675, 684 (2005) (“The trial court’s conclusion as to whe ther a particular dispute is subject to arbitration is a conclusion of law, which we review de novo.”); Patten Grading & Paving, Inc. v. Skanska USA Building, Inc., 380 F.3d 200, 204 (4th Cir. 2004) (denial of a “mo tion for stay and to compe l arbitration is reviewed de novo”).

When the application o f equitable e stoppel is involved, how ever, courts a re not in agreement on the appropriate standard of review. Some courts continue to apply de novo review. See JLM Industries, Inc. v. Stolt-Nielson SA, 387 F.3d 163, 16 9 (2nd Cir. 2004); MS Dealer Service C orp. v. Fran klin, 177 F.3d 942, 946 (11th Cir. 19 99); Peach v. CIM Ins. Corp., 352 Ill. App. 3d 691 , 704 (Ill. App. Ct. 2004). Other courts hold that, when the decision to compel or deny arbitration is based on principles of equitable estoppel, the decision should be reviewed for abuse of discretion. See Am. Bankers Ins. Group Inc. v. Long, 453 F.3d 623, 629 (2006); Grigson v. Creative Artists Agency L.L.C., 210 F.3d 524, 528 (2000).6 And one court has held that the standard of review depends on w hether a factual dispute needs to be resolved to determine if equitable estoppel principles compel arbitration. Metalclad Corp. v. Ventura E nvtl. Organizational P ’ship, 109 Cal. A pp. 4th 1705, 1716 (Cal. Ct. Ap p. 2003). In Metalclad, the court held that, if the determination on equitable estoppel is based on the resolution of disputed facts, the decision is reviewed for substantial evidence, but if there is no dispute of facts, but only a dispute on the legal effect of thos e facts, de novo review is appro priate. Id. at 1716.

We adopt the approach taken in Metalclad. Here, there is no dispute of facts regarding the issue of equitable estoppel. Rather, the issue is w hether the Schueles’ complaint is sufficiently pred icated on the contract su ch that equ itable estopp el prevents them from refusing to arbitrate th eir claim aga inst Case Handyman. W e will review this issue de novo.

B. Applicable Law

In determining whether the circuit court erred in denying the motion to compel arbitration, we begin with the th reshold inquiry of whether the Fed eral Arbitration Act (FAA), 9 U.S.C. §§ 1 et. seq., or the M aryland U niform Arbitration Act (MUAA), C .J., §§ 3-201 et seq., applies to this case. “When an agreement’s choice of law clause provides that disputes will be resolved in accordance with sta te law . . . the selected state’s arbitration act governs issues concerning arbitration under the agreement’s arbitration clause.” Rourke v. Amchem Products, Inc., 153 Md. App. 91, 119 (2003). Here, however, the home improvement contract contained no choice of law provision, so we look to the gene ral rule regarding the a pplicab le law f or interp reting ar bitration provisio ns. The FAA provides that a written provision in a “contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce to settle by arbitration a controversy . . . shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract.” 9 U.S.C. § 2. In Southland Corp. v. Keating, 465 U.S. 1, 16 (1984), the United States Supreme Court ob served that, in enacting the FAA, Congress declared a policy in favor of arbitration and foreclosed state legislative attempts to require a judicial forum for the resolution of claims that the parties agreed to resolve by arbitration. As this Court has explained, the FAA “is applicab le to private contracts made and enforced in Maryland when . . . the contract affects interstate commerce.” Mattingly v. Hughes Electronics Corp., 147 Md. App. 624, 632 (2002).

Case Handyman contends that home improvement contracts, which involve the purchase of materials and payment of taxes, necessarily involve interstate commerce. The Schueles have not argued otherwise, and there is support for a broad interpretation of the requirement that the c ontract “ affects interstate commerce.” See Walther v. Sovereign Bank, 386 Md. 412, 423 (2005) (“FA A applies to nearly all arbitration agreeme nts . . . .”).

There was, howev er, no evidence presented a s to how th e contract “a ffects intersta te commerce,” presumably because there was no hearing on the mo tion to compel arbitration. But, even if the present record does not permit a finding that the FAA applies in this case, application of the MUAA provides the same re sult. The MUAA states, in nearly identical language to the FAA, that “[a] written agreement to submit any existing controversy to arbitration or a provision in a written contract to submit to arbitration any controversy arising between the parties in the future is valid and enforceable, and is irrevocable, except upon grounds that exist at law or in equity for the revoca tion of a contrac t.” C.J., § 3 -206. Indeed, the MUAA has been called the “‘State analogue . . . to the Federal Arbitration A ct.’” Walther, 386 Md. at 424 (quoting Holmes v. Coverall North Am erica, Inc., 336 M d. 534, 541 (1994)). Both the state and federal acts establish a policy favoring enforcement of arbitration agreem ents. Holmes, 336 Md. at 54 1 (“T he same policy favoring enforcement of arbitratio n agreements is pre sent in bo th our own and the fede ral ac ts”). Acc ordingly, the Maryland appellate co urts “rely on d ecisions interpreting the Federa l Arbitra tion Ac t . . . .” Walther, 386 M d. at 424 .

The Schueles contend, however, that application of equitable estoppel p rinciples to an arbitration agreement issue is governed by state, not federal, law. In Walther, 386 Md. at 423, the Court of Appeals noted that, although Section 2 of the FAA pre-empts a state law that “withdraws the power to enforce arbitration agreements,” state courts are not bound by the procedural provisions of the FA A. Indeed, the Supreme Court has stated that state law determines questions “concerning the validity, revocability, and enforceability of contracts generally.” Perry v. Thomas, 482 U.S . 483, 492 n . 9 (1987). T hus, “[g]en erally applicable contract defenses , such as fraud, duress, o r unconsc ionability may be a pplied to inv alidate arbitration agreements without contravening § 2 . . . .” Doctor’s Associates, Inc. v. Casarotto, 517 U.S. 681, 682 (1996). The FAA, however, creates a “body of federal substantive law of arbitrability.” Moses H. Cone Memorial Hosp. V. Mercury Constr. Corp., 460 U.S. 1, 24 (1983). And, as noted, Maryland appellate courts rely on decisions interpre ting the F AA. Walther, 386 Md. at 424.

In this case, there is no issue regarding the co ntract’s v alidity. And, giv en the brea dth of the arbitration provision, providing for arbitration of “[a]ny controversy/claim arising out of or relating to this contract or its breach,” the question is not what is covered by the agreement, but rather, who may invoke it. To resolve the issue whe ther a non-signatory can enforce a contra ct’s arbitr ation provision under the doc trine of equitab le estoppel, courts look to the federal substantive law of arbitrability. See R.J. Griffin & Co. v. Beach Club II Homeowners Ass’n, 384 F.3d 157, 160 n. 1 (4th Cir. 20 04); International Paper Co. v. Schwabedissen Maschinen & Anlagen GMBH, 206 F.3d 411, 417 n. 4 (4th Cir. 2000); Metalclad Corp., 109 C al. App . 4th at 17 12. C. Principles of Equitable Estoppel The Schueles argue that they are not bound by the arbitration provision in the contract because they never entered into any agreement to arbitrate disputes with Case Handyman.

Case Handyman agrees that it is a non-signatory to the contract, but it argues that it may enforce the contract’s arbitration provision as a non-sign atory under the doctrine of equitable estoppel. We agree with Case Handyman that principles of equitable estoppel preclude the Schueles from avoidin g the arb itration requirement in the contrac t. “Generally, ‘arbitration is a matter of contract and a party canno t be required to submit to arbitration any dispute which [it] has not agreed’ to arbit rate.” R.J. Griffin & Co., 384 F.3d at 160 (quoting International Paper Co., 206 F.3d at 41 6). “The obligation and entitlement to arbitrate,” however, “‘does not attach only to on e who has persona lly signed the written arbitration provision,’” and “‘[w]ell-established common law prin ciples dictate that in an appropriate case a nonsignatory can enforce, or be bound by, an arbitration provision within a contract executed by other parties.’” Washington Square Securities, Inc. v. Aune, 385 F.3d 432, 43 5 (4th Cir. 2004) (quoting International Paper Co., 206 F.3d at 416-17). The principle underlying the theory of equitable estoppel “rests on a simple proposition: it is unfair for a party to rely on a contract whe n it works to its advantage, and repudiate it w hen it wor ks to its disadvantage.” Am. Bankers Ins. Group, Inc., 453 F.3d at 627 (quoting Wachovia Bank, Nat. Ass’n v. Schmidt, 445 F.3d 762, 76 9 (4th Cir. 2006)).

Several federal courts have held that principles of equitable estoppel allow nonsignatories to a contract to compel arbitration. In MS Dealer Service Corp., 177 F.3d at 944- 47, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit considered whether Franklin, an automobile purchaser, was equitably estopped from avoiding arbitration with MS Dealer Service Corporation (“MS Dealer”), pursuant to an arbitration provision in a buyers order to which only Franklin and the car dealership were signatories. The buyers order incorporated by reference a “Retail Installment Contract,” in which Franklin was charged $990 for a service contract through MS D ealer. Id. at 944-45. The buyers order contained an arbitration clause providing, in part, that “‘all disputes and controversies of every kind and n ature between buyer and [the dealership] arising out of or in connection with the purcha se of this vehicle will be resolved by arbitration . . .’” pursuant to the provisions of the FA A. Id. at 944. Problems with the vehicle ensued, and Franklin filed suit in state court against the dealership and MS Dealer, alleging breach of contract, breach of warranty, fraud, and conspira cy. Id. at 944-45. Franklin claimed that MS Dealer and the dealersh ip conspired to charge an excessive amount for the service contrac t. Id. at 945. MS Dealer filed a petition in federal court to compel arbitration, which the district court dismissed on the ground that MS Dealer was not a signato ry to the buyers ord er, and, theref ore, lacked s tanding to compel arbitratio n. Id. at 945-46.

The Eleventh Circuit reversed and remanded, finding that MS Dealer could compel arbitration under the doctrine of equitable estoppel. The court stated:

Existing case law demonstrates that equitable estoppel allows a nonsignatory to compel arbitration in tw o differen t circumstan ces. First, equitable estoppel applies when the signatory to a written agreement containing an arbitration clause “must rely on the terms of the written agreement in asserting [its] claims” against the nonsignatory. When each of a signatory’s claims against a nonsignatory “makes reference to” or “presumes the existence o f” the written agreement, the signatory’s claims “arise[ ] out of and relate[ ] directly to the [written] agreement,” and arbitration is appropriate.

Second, “application of equitable estoppel is warran ted . . . when the signatory [to the contract c ontainin g the arb itration clause] ra ises alleg ations o f . . . substantially interdependent and concerted misconduct by both the nonsignatory an d one o r more o f the signatories to the co ntract.” Id. at 947 (citations omitted ).

The court noted that both of the circumstances giving rise to equitable estoppel existed in that case . Id. Each of Franklin’s claims against MS Dealer depended on her contractual obligations under the service contrac t. Id. at 947-48. Acknowledging tha t Franklin “c ast all of her claims against M S Dealer as tort claims rather than contract claims,” the court explained that “‘a party may not avoid broad language in an arbitration clause by attempting to cast its complaint in tort rather than contract.’” Id. at 948, n. 4 (quoting Sunkist Soft Drinks, Inc. v. Sunkist Growers, Inc., 10 F.3d 753, 758 (11th Cir. 1993)). The court further noted that the arbitratio n clause in the buyers order “specifically requires arbitration of ‘[a]ll disputes and controversies of every kind and nature . . . arising out of o r in connec tion with this contract, its subject matter or its negotiation, as to . . . any claim alleging fraud in fact [or] fraud in the inducement . . . .’” Id.

With respect to the second circumstance permitting equitable estoppel, the court found that Franklin’s claims against the car dealership and MS Dealer were based on the same f acts and were “‘inherently inseparable.’” Id. at 948 (quoting Sunkist Soft Drinks, 10 F.3d at 757).

Accordingly, the Eleventh Circuit held that Franklin was estopped from avoiding arbitration with MS Dealer, and it reversed the lower co urt’s order and remanded with instructions to grant MS Dealer’s petition to com pel arbitration. Id. Accord Sunkist Soft Drinks, 10 F.3d at 757 (licensor-signatory was equitably estopped from avoiding arbitration with nonsignatory parent corporation because its claims were “‘intimately founded in and intertwined with the underlying contract obligations’”) (quoting McBro Planning & Dev. Co. v. Triangle Elec. Constr. Co., Inc., 741 F.2d 342, 344 (11th Cir. 1984)). Similarly, in Am. Bankers, 453 F.3d at 630, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that a signatory to an agreement containing an arbitration clause was equitably estopped from denying that it w as bound to arbitrate with a non-signatory. There, the Longs purchased a $75,000 promissory note, which promised a ten-percent return, from Thaxon Life Partners (TLP). Id. at 625. The parties exec uted a Sub scription Agreement with TLP containing an arbitration clause p roviding tha t “‘any dispute, co ntroversy or claim arising out of or in connection with, or relating to, any subscription of the Note’ . . . shall be subject to arbitration.” Id. TLP filed for bankruptcy, and notified the Longs and others that their investments were effectively lost. Id.

The Longs filed suit against American Bankers Insurance Group (ABIG), TLP’s underwriter and a non-signatory to the Subscription Agreement, alleging, inter alia, negligence and sec urities fraud. Id. ABIG filed a petition in federal district court seeking to compel the Longs to arbitrate their claims, which the district court denied. Id. at 626. In reversing, the Fourth Circuit held that “the Longs’ individual claims ‘rely on’ the terms of Note, and that because the Note w as incorpo rated into the S ubscription Agreement, it would be inequitable to allow the L ongs to seek recovery on their individual claims and at the same time deny that ABIG was a party to the Subscription Agreement’s arbitration clause.” Id. at 630. The court reasoned that, “if TLP had never issued the Note, the Longs would have no basis for recovery against ABIG.” Id. Because “the Longs’ individual claims . . . are dependent upon their allegation that ABIG breached a duty created ‘solely by [the Note],’” the Longs were estopped from denying that they were boun d by the arbitration clause. Id. Accord International Paper Co., 206 F.3d at 418 (non-signatory buyer was estopped from refusing to comply with arbitration clause in contract between manufacturer and distributor where contract “provides part of the factual foundation for every claim asserted by” the nonsignatory); Hughes Masonry Co., Inc. v. Greater Clark County School Bldg. Corp., 659 F.2d 836, 838-39 (7th Cir. 1981) (“it would be manifestly inequitable to permit [signatory masonry contractor] to both claim that [non-s ignatory to contract] is liable to [signatory] for its failure to perform the contractual duties described in the . . . agreement and at the same time deny that [non-sign atory] is a p arty to that agreement in order to avoid arbitration of claims c learly with in the am bit of the arbitratio n clause”).

This Court, w hile not add ressing direc tly whether a n on-signato ry to a contract may enforce an arbitration clause in a contract, ha s expressed approval of the doc trine of equ itable estoppel in the context of arbitration agreements. In Westbard Apartments, LLC v. Westwood Joint Venture, LLC, 181 Md. App. 37 (2007), we held that a party bringing a derivative action was equitably estopped from relying o n a lease an d operating agreement to bring its claims and, at the same time, disclaiming provisions in the agreements waiving a jury trial. Id. at 51-52.

Westbard involved th e purchase of forty acres of land in B ethesda, M aryland, by Richard Cohen, the managing partner of a lim ited liability compa ny. Id. at 40-41. Westwood Joint Venture, LLC (“Westwood”), the owner of nine parcels known as Park Bethesda, and Westbard Apartments, LLC (“Westbard Apartments”) were parties to a lease that granted Westbard Apartments various rights, including the right of first refusal to buy Park Bethesda. Id. at 40, n. 1. Westbard Apartments was a limited liability company with two members, the National Electrical Benefit Fund (“NEBF”), a pension fund, and Westbard Investments LLC (“Investments”). Id. at 41. Cohen, a real estate developer, controlled Investments, and Investments was the “Managing Member” of Westbard A partments, with fiduciary duties to NEBF. Id. NEBF and Investments executed an Operating Agreement that, among other things, waived the right to a jury trial in any action relating to the agreement, and the lease between Westwood and Westbard Apartments con tained a similar provision. Id. at 40, 46 nn.9 & 10. After Cohen purchased Park Bethesda from Westwood in his in dividual capacity, Westbard Apartments and NEBF filed a complaint in the C ircuit Court for Montgomery County against Westw ood, Cohen, Investments, and others. Id. at 41. The complaint alleged, inter alia, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and misrepresentation.

Id. at 41-42. T he circuit cou rt granted appellee’s motion to strike Westbard Apartments’ demand for a jury trial. Id. at 42.

In upholding the circuit court’s judgment, we noted that, “[a]nalogous to an agreement to arbitrate, the Lease and Agreement contractually provide for waiver of trial by jury.” Id. at 50. We were persuaded by the reasoning in MS Dealer, 177 F.3d at 947, that “nonsignatories of an applicable arbitration con tract were entitled to enf orce its provisions under two circumstances of equitable estoppel.” Westbard, 181 Md. App. at 51. Because NEBF was a member of Westbard Apartments, which was bound by the Agreement and lease provisions, we reasoned that NEB F could not “derivatively bring suit on behalf of Westbard as a member entity and simultaneously disclaim provisions in the Lease” by which Westba rd was bound. Id.

Thus, in Westbard we held that the doc trine of equitable estoppel perm its a nonsignatory to a contrac t to enforce a contractual agreement by a signato ry, in that case a contractual waive r of trial b y jury. In this case, we hold, consistent with federal caselaw, that a non-signatory of an applicable arbitration contract can enforce an arbitration clause under the doctrine of equitable estoppel wh en the signatory’s claims against the no n-signatory rely on the written agreem ent.7

Applying the doctrine o f equitable estoppel to the case at bar, we find that, because the Schueles’ “entire case hinges on its asserted rights un der the . . . contract,” International Paper Co., 206 F.3d at 418, they are estopped from refusing to arbitrate with Case. The Schueles’ claims against Case plainly arise from the home improvement contract they executed with PHR. The first two counts of the com plaint, “B reach of Contract–A gency,” and “Breach of Contract–Apparent Authority,” allege that the agreed work pu rsuant to the contract has not been perform ed. Counts III and IV, claiming “Frau d by Misapprop riation,” allege misappropriation of funds paid pursuant to the contract for services to be performed. Count V, claiming “Fraud/Deceit,” refers to representations in the contract. Co unt VI, claiming “Consumer Protection Violations,” references the “drafting of contract terms,” and Count VII, claiming “N egligence,” alleges neg ligence in ap proving th e contract.

In light of the Schueles’ ubiquitous references to the contract in their complaint, we disagree with their assertion that “Case’s liability will be determined by its duties under Maryland common law and statutes, not by PHR’s contractual duties.” Rather, we find that, in substance, their complaint hing es on asserted rights under that contract. We therefore hold that, because the Schueles’ allegations arise out of and directly relate to their contract with PHR, the doctrine of equitable estoppel allows Case Handyman to enforce the arbitration pro vision in the c ontract.

The Schueles make two arguments in support of their contention that Case Handyman cannot enforce the arbitration requirement of the contract. The Schueles assert that they never entered into any agreement with Case Handyman, and they further aver that a party cannot be compelled to arbitrate when it has not agreed to do so. The Schueles cite several cases in support of their argum ent that non -parties cann ot enforce arbitration pro visions in contracts. Those cases are unavailing. For example, the Schueles rely on The Redemptorists v. Coulthard Services, Inc., 145 Md. App. 116, 126 (2002), in which this Court held that the president of a cemetery services corporation was not a party to a contract, and therefore, he could not compel arbitration pursuant to an arbitration provision in that contract. Th ere is nothing in that opinion, however, to sugg est that the do ctrine of eq uitable estoppel was raised as a bas is to enforce the arbitratio n agree ment.

Hartford Accident & Indemn . Co. v. Scar lett Harbor Assocs. L td. P’ship, 346 Md. 122 (1997), upon which the Schueles also rely, is similarly distinguishable. In Hartford, the Court of Appeals held that a surety, who had issued a bond incorpo rating a mandatory arbitration provision in a contract between a developer and a contractor, could not enforce that arbitration agreement aga inst the developer. Id. at 129. The arbitration clause there, however, was narro wly drafted. It p rovided tha t “‘[a]ll claims, d isputes and other matter s in question between the Contractor and the Owner arising out of or relating to the Contract Documents o r the breach the reof . . . shall be decide d by arbitration . . . .’” Id. at 124 n. 3.

It further stated that “[n]o arbitration shall include by consolidation, joinder or in any other manner, parties other than the Owner, the Contractor an d any other persons substantially involved in a comm on questio n of fact o r law, wh ose presen ce is required if comple te relief is to be accorded in the arbitration.” Id. Thus, the Court noted that, although there is a strong policy in Ma ryland favorin g arbitration, the arbitration pro vision in Hartford both expressly specified, and excluded, certain parties to the arbitration proceedings. Id. at 129-32.

Pursuant to the specific language of the agreement in Hartford, a non-signatory could not enforce that arbitration agreement. Id. at 131-32. In the present case, however, the contract has broad language, requiring arbitration of “[a]ny controversy/claim arising out of or relating to this contract or its breach thereof . . . .”

Moreover, as with The Redemptorists, the Court in Hartford did not address the issue of whether a non-signatory to a contract could enforce an agreement to arbitrate under the doctrine of equitable estoppel. To the extent that the cases the Schueles cite do not address equitable estoppel, the Schueles’ reliance on them is unavailing.8

The Schueles next conte nd that Case Handyman may not invoke eq uitable estoppel to compel arbitration because estoppel, under state law, requires an element of detrimental reliance “that Case has never claim ed to be present here.” See, e.g., Hill v. Cross Country Settlements, LLC, 402 Md. 281, 310 (20 07) (“Equitable estop pel essentially con sists of three elements: ‘voluntary conduct or representation, reliance, and detriment’”) (quoting Mona Elec. Co. v. Shelton, 377 Md. 320, 334 (2003)). Case Handyman, by contrast, avers that detrimental reliance is not a requirement for equitable estoppel in the context of enforcing an arbitration agreement. W e agree w ith Case Handyman and hold that no showing of detrimental reliance is required for the application of equitable estoppel in the arbitration context.

The California C ourt of Appeal recently addressed this issue in Turtle Ridge Media Group, Inc. v. Pacific Bell Directory, 140 Cal. App. 4th 828 (Cal. Ct. App. 2006). Similar to the Sch ueles’ argument in this c ase, Turtle Ridge argued that equitable estoppel did not apply because the non-signatory could not show that it detrimentally relied on Turtle Ridge being obligated to submit to arbitration. The court noted that, even if detrimental reliance is an element of equitable estoppel under state law, the issue whether a non-signatory can compel arbitration “‘is answered not by state law, but by the federal substantive law of arbitrability.’” Id. at 835 (quoting Boucher v. Alliance Title Co., Inc., 127 Cal. App. 4th 262, 268 (Cal. Ct. App. 2005)). The court explained that, “[r]egard less of wh ether equitab le estoppel may require detrimental reliance in other contexts, the tes t for applying e quitable estoppel to an arbitration agreement is whether the causes of action are intertwined with the contract containing the agreement.” Id. The co urt continued, id.:

As such, the phrase ‘equitable estoppel’ is a bit of a misnomer, for detrimental reliance is not necessary. Although the doctrine’s name might be confusing, its application is clear: Turtle R idge cannot play fast and loose with its contractual obligations by selectively enforcing the subcontract. Its claims rest on the subcontra ct and there fore it is boun d by all the terms of that subc ontract, not just those it likes.

We agree with the above analysis. It is consistent with Maryland policy favoring arbitration agreements. Accordingly, we reject the Schueles’ contention that application of equitable estoppel in the arbitration context requires a showing of detrimental reliance.

D. Compliance with COMAR 09.08.01.25

We next address the Schueles’ contention that the arbitration clause is invalid because it does not comply with COMAR relating to home improvement contracts. COMAR 09.08.01.25 provides:

A. A mandatory arbitration clause in a home improvement contract shall include the following information:

(1) The name of the person or organization that will conduct the arbitration;

(2) Whether any mandatory fees will be charged to the parties for participation in the arbitration and include the fee schedule;

(3) Whether the arbitrator’s findings are binding; and

(4) A disclosure that, under Business Regulation Article, §8-405(c), Annotated Code of Maryland, a claim against the Home Improvement Guaranty Fund by an owner shall be stayed until completion of any mandatory arbitration proceeding.

B. The parties shall affix their initials and date immediately adjacent to any mandatory arbitration clause in a home improvement contract, at the time of execution of the con tract.

C. This regulation shall apply to all home improvement contracts executed

after October 31, 1994. The Schueles argue that the “PHR c ontract complies only with part A(1) and possibly with A(3) . . .” of the regulation. They further assert that, pursuant to DeReggi Constr. Co. v. Mate, 130 Md. App. 648, 658 (2000), “‘[i]n determining whether strict or substantial compliance with a statute is required, we must look to the legislative purpose behind the statute.’” The Schueles aver that the “only purpose reasonably suggested by the regulation . . . is to ensure that the attenuated p rocedure n ot be impo sed on homeowners witho ut fully informed consent as to all re levant d etails.” In their view , the arbitration p rovision “badly fails that test.” Accordingly, they contend, the provision is unenforceable under the regulation, and the “doctrine of substantial compliance cannot revive [it].”

Case Handyman counters that the arbitration provisio n is enforceable beca use it substantially complies w ith the requirements of the home improvement regulation, and “because Maryland courts strongly favor enforcement of arbitration provisions.” Case Handyman argues that the first three elements of the regulation are satisfied because the clause states that the American Arbitration Association (AAA) will conduct the arbitration, it incorporates AAA’s mandatory fee schedule by reference, and it notes that the arbitration is binding. Case Handyman further maintains that part B of the regulation is met because the Schueles signed the “General Conditions” section of the contract containing the arbitration clause “multiple times . . . just inches from the arbitration clause.” While conceding that the provision does not comply with part A(4), Case Handyman notes that the stay described therein “applies by law whether it is recited in the clause or not, and thus, this minor omission does not justify invalidating the agreement.” Finally, Case Handyman avers that substantial compliance is sufficient here, and the clause “substantially achieves the notice function the regulation contemplates.”

We hold that the failure to comply with all of the requirements of COMAR 09.08.01.25 does not make the arbitration provision unenforceable. Indeed, COMAR 09.08.01.25 does not contain any pen alty provisions or state that an arbitration clause is invalid if it fails to comply with the requirements o f the reg ulation. We also look to Md. Code (2002, 2008 Supp.), § 8-501 of the Business Regulation Article, which establishes the req uirements for home improvement contracts in Maryland.

Section 8-5 01 provid es, in pertinen t part:

(b) . . . Each home improvement contract shall:

(1) be in writing and legible;

(2) describe clearly each document that it incorporates; and

(3) be signe d by each pa rty to the home improvem ent contrac t.

(c) (1) In addition to any other m atters on which the parties lawfully agree, each home improvement contract shall contain: (i) the name, address, and license number of the c ontractor; (ii) the name and license number of each salesperson who solicited the

home improvement contrac t or sold the home improvement;

(iii) the approximate dates when the performance of the home improvement will begin and when it will be substantially completed;

(iv) a description of the home improvement to be performed and the materials to be used;

(v) the agreed consideration;

(vi) the numb er of mon thly payments and the amo unt of each payment, including any finance charge;

(vii) a description of any collatera l security for the obligation of the owner under the home improvement contract; and

(viii) a notice that gives the telephone number of the Commission and states that:

1. each contractor and each subcontractor must be licensed by the Commission; and

2. anyone may ask the Commission about a contractor or subcontractor.

Significa ntly, Subsection (a) of § 8-501 contains a savings clause providing that “[a] home improvement contrac t that does no t comply with this sec tion is not inva lid merely because of noncompliance” with requirements of § 8-501.

In Gannon & Son, Inc. v. Emerson, 291 Md. 443, 448 (198 1), the Cou rt of App eals observed that the “‘legislative intent’” undergirding the “‘saving clause’” in subsection (a) was “‘that a contract should not be invalidated solely by noncompliance with the rather detailed, but in many instances, rather minor requirements set out in’” § 8-501. Id. (quoting Harry Berenter, Inc. v. Berman, 258 M d. 290, 2 97 (1970)). In light of this instruction, we find that the “‘savings clause’” in subsection (a) reflects the legislature’s intent that an arbitration clause in a home improvement contract is no t invalid for f ailure to strictly com ply with COMAR 09.08.01.25. Indeed, the Maryland Home Improvement Commission adopted the requirements of COMAR 09.08.01.25 pursuant to § 8-207(a) of the Business Regulation Article, which authorizes the C ommission to “adop t and enfo rce regulations to carry out” Title 8 of the Business Regulation Article. The requirements in that regulation, like those in § 8-501, are “rather detailed, but, in many instances, rather minor.” Harry Berenter, Inc., 258 Md. at 297. Thus, although contractors should adhere to the requirements in COMAR, a failure to comply does n ot render the arbitration clause u nenforceable . In any event, we agree with Case Handyman that the arbitration clause substantially complies with COMAR 09.08.01.2 5. The pro vision satisfies the requirem ents of sub sections

(1) and (3) of part A because it identifies the AAA and states that the arbitration is binding.

And, although the provision fails to comply with parts A(2) and A(4), the record does not suggest that mandatory fees were at issue, or that a party sought to file a claim with the Maryland Home Improvement Guaranty Fund. Accordingly, the provisio n’s failure to comply with pa rts A(2) and A (4) is of no harm or effe ct.

Finally, although the parties’ initials and the date are not immediately “adjacent to” the arbitration clause as required by part B, as Case Handyman notes, the parties signed the “General Conditions” page containing the provision four times on the day they executed the contract, and the arb itration provision was underlined for emphasis. The unm istakable purpose of this requirement is to ensure that all parties to a contract are aware of the existence and terms of the arbitration clause. In the present case, the Schueles have not argued that they were unaware of the clause, or that they were pre judiced by failure to comply with this requirement. Thus, the failure to strictly comply with the regulation does not render the a rbitration clause in valid.

* * *

http://mdcourts.gov/opinions/cosa/2008/2134s07.pdf

Outcome: For the foregoing reasons, we hold that the Schueles are equitably estopped from avoiding arbitration with Case Handyman, and that the arbitration p rovision is en forceable pursuant to COMAR 09.08.01.25. Because w e conclude that the cou rt erred in denying the motion to compel arbitration, we need not reach the argument that the circuit court erred in denying the motion without holding a hearing on the motion. Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court’s order and rema nd with instructions to grant Case H andyman’s motion to compel arbitration.


JUDGMENT REVERSED. CASE REMANDED TO THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY WITH I N S T R U C T I O N S T O G R A N T APPELLANT’S MOTION TO COMPEL ARBITRATION. COSTS TO BE PAID BY APPELLEE.

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