Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the parties to two or more arbitrations from agreeing to consolidate those arbitrations and taking any steps that are necessary to effect that consolidation.
§ 1297.273.Authority of Parties to Agree to Consolidation of Arbitrations
Title 9.3. Arbitration and Conciliation of International Commercial Disputes · Chapter 5. Manner and Conduct of Arbitration · Article 10. Court Assistance in Taking Evidence and Consolidating Arbitrations · Enacted 1988 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1297.273 makes clear that nothing in this article stops the parties to two or more arbitrations from agreeing on their own to consolidate those arbitrations and taking whatever steps are needed to carry that consolidation out.
Full Text of § 1297.273
Plain-English Summary
Section 1297.272 gives the superior court a role in consolidation when the parties need help, but this section makes sure no one reads that court role as the only path. Nothing in this article prevents the parties to two or more arbitrations from agreeing among themselves to consolidate those arbitrations and taking any steps necessary to make the consolidation happen.
In other words, court involvement is a backstop, not a requirement. Parties who can work out consolidation cooperatively -- agreeing on a combined tribunal, a shared schedule, and a single proceeding -- don't need to file anything with the superior court at all. The court's power under the preceding section exists for situations where the parties can't reach that kind of agreement on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do parties need court approval to consolidate related arbitrations?
No. Section 1297.273 confirms that parties may agree on their own to consolidate their arbitrations without relying on the court process in Section 1297.272.
What is the relationship between this section and Section 1297.272?
Section 1297.272 gives the court a role when the parties need it; this section preserves the parties' ability to consolidate by agreement without going to court at all.
Can parties take whatever steps they think necessary to carry out a consolidation they've agreed to?
Yes. The section allows the parties to take any steps that are necessary to effect the consolidation they've agreed on.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1988, Ch. 23, Sec. 1. Effective March 7, 1988.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: parties agree to consolidate arbitrationsvoluntary consolidation without court order