§ 25-2618.District court; jurisdiction; act; how construed.
Article 26: Uniform Arbitration Act · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section defines “court” under the Uniform Arbitration Act as any Nebraska district court, gives that court jurisdiction to enforce an arbitration agreement calling for arbitration in Nebraska and to enter judgment on the resulting award, and denies the Commission of Industrial Relations any power to order arbitration.
Full Text of § 25-2618
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(a) The term court shall mean any district court of this state. The making of an agreement described in section 25-2602.01 providing for arbitration in this state confers jurisdiction on the court to enforce the agreement under the Uniform Arbitration Act and to enter judgment on an award thereunder.
(b) Nothing in the Uniform Arbitration Act shall be construed to empower the Commission of Industrial Relations to order that any party under its jurisdiction submit to, or contract to submit to, arbitration.
Source
Laws 1987, LB 71, § 18; Laws 1997, LB 151, § 9.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-2618 answers two structural questions about the Uniform Arbitration Act. First, it defines “court” — wherever that word appears in the act — as any district court of Nebraska. And it ties jurisdiction to the arbitration agreement itself: making an agreement described in section 25-2602.01 that provides for arbitration in Nebraska confers jurisdiction on the district court both to enforce that agreement and to enter judgment on any award that comes out of the arbitration it authorizes.
Second, the section draws a firm boundary around a different state body. Nothing in the Uniform Arbitration Act gives the Commission of Industrial Relations power to order a party under its jurisdiction to submit, or to agree to submit, to arbitration. Whatever authority the act hands to district courts over arbitration agreements and awards, it withholds from the Commission entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which court handles arbitration matters under Nebraska’s Uniform Arbitration Act?
The district court. Section 25-2618 defines “court,” as used throughout the act, to mean any district court of Nebraska.
What gives a Nebraska district court jurisdiction over my arbitration agreement?
Making an arbitration agreement described in section 25-2602.01 that provides for arbitration in Nebraska confers jurisdiction on the district court to enforce it and to enter judgment on any resulting award.
Can the Commission of Industrial Relations order a party to arbitrate?
No. Section 25-2618(b) specifically denies the Commission any power under the act to order a party under its jurisdiction to submit, or agree to submit, to arbitration.
Does this section apply to arbitrations that take place outside Nebraska?
The jurisdiction it describes attaches to an agreement providing for arbitration in Nebraska; an agreement calling for arbitration elsewhere raises a different jurisdictional question not addressed by this specific grant.
Can a county court enter judgment on an arbitration award under this act?
The act defines “court” as the district court, so the jurisdiction and enforcement powers described here run to the district court rather than county court.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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