Trustees Of The New York City District Council Of Carpenters Pension Fund v…

Background

Four petitioners—the listed trustees and carpenter organizations—brought a petition against Kaja Custom Builders LLC to confirm an arbitration award. The petition was unopposed.

Court’s reasoning

The court explained that an arbitration award generally must be confirmed if the arbitrator acted within the scope of the arbitrator’s authority and the award was based on the parties’ agreement. The court treated the unopposed petition as a motion for summary judgment. After reviewing the petition, supporting memorandum, and accompanying documents, the court found that the arbitrators acted within their authority and confirmed the award.

The court also found that post-judgment interest was warranted and that the petitioners’ request for attorneys’ fees was proper based on their representations that Kaja had refused to comply with the award. The petitioners submitted records showing $1,432.50 in attorneys’ fees and $77 in costs.

Disposition

The court granted the petition. It ordered judgment awarding the petitioners $124,019.01, plus interest from March 8, 2021—the date of the arbitration award—through the date of judgment at 5.25% per year. It also awarded statutory post-judgment interest, $1,432.50 in attorneys’ fees, and $77 in costs.