Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). · Go Syfert
Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“while it is certainly true that this dispute would not have arisen but for the sales agreement between u.s. home and the seiferts, we conclude that the mere existence of such contract is not sufficient to compel that this dispute be arbitrated.”
119 citation events (82 in the last 25 years) across 13 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Schmidt v. Antunez (flsd, 2024-09-13)
Treatment trajectory · 1991 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1991 2008 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 27 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Schmidt v. Antunez (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
S.D. Fla. · 2024 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
while it is certainly true that this dispute would not have arisen but for the sales agreement between u.s. home and the seiferts, we conclude that the mere existence of such contract is not sufficient to compel that this dispute be arbitrated.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Portage Park Capital, LLC v. A.L.L. Masonry Construction Co.
Ill. App. Ct. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ct. App. 1996) (quoting Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526, 530 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990). ¶ 20 The narrowest reading of “arises out of or relates to” is plainly wrong when considered in light of Illinois case law.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) SAM SHRIVASTAVA, VENN THERAPEUTICS, LLC AND SANDIP PATEL v. CAC PHARMA INVESTMENTS LLC, AND C & J HEALTHCARE INVESTMENTS, LLC
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Seifert, 750 So. 2d at 640 (first alteration in original) (quoting Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526, 531 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990)); see also Citigroup, Inc. v. Amodio, 894 So. 2d 296, 300 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005) (holding that the claims were not dependent on the contract where the complaint alleged a breach "of law imposed generally to enforce public policy creating duties owed to the public at large").
discussed Cited as authority (rule) SAM SHRIVASTAVA, VENN THERAPEUTICS, LLC AND SANDIP PATEL v. CAC PHARMA INVESTMENTS LLC, AND C & J HEALTHCARE INVESTMENTS, LLC
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Seifert, 750 So. 2d at 640 (first alteration in original) (quoting Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526, 531 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990)); see also Citigroup, Inc. v. Amodio, 894 So. 2d 296, 300 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005) (holding that the claims were not dependent on the contract where the complaint alleged a breach "of law imposed generally to enforce public policy creating duties owed to the public at large").
discussed Cited as authority (rule) M.P. v. GUIRIBITEY COSMETIC & BEAUTY INSTITUTE, INC., etc.
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Nonetheless, “[t]he question whether a tort claim arising between parties who have a contractual relationship requiring that a claim ‘arising out of or relating to’ an agreement or a breach of an agreement be subjected to arbitration is not without difficulty.” Seifert, 750 So. 2d at 639 (quoting Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526, 529 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1990)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mestro v. Pasionek
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Thus, we have appellate jurisdiction under A.R.S. § 12-2101(A)(3), as the order affects a substantial right that determines the action and “prevents judgment from which an appeal might be taken.” Dusold v. Porta–John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 (App. 1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Garrett v. Swift
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
See Dunn v. FastMed Urgent Care PC, 245 Ariz. 35 , 38, ¶ 9 (App. 2018) (“Dismissal pursuant to a forum-selection clause with leave to refile in another state is an appealable order under A.R.S. § 12-2101(A)(3).”); Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 (App. 1990) (holding that A.R.S. § 12-2101(A)(3)’s predecessor statute provided basis for appellate jurisdiction to consider court’s order dismissing action and transferring to another state for arbitration).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) SFM LLC v. Best Roast Coffee (2×) also: Cited "see"
D. Ariz. · 2019 · confidence medium
For a claim to be properly characterized as relating to 11 or arising from a given contract under Arizona law, “it must, at the very least, raise some 12 issue the resolution of which requires a reference to or construction of some portion of 13 the contract itself.” See Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 807 P.2d 526, 530 (Ariz. Ct. App. 14 1990); see also Sun Valley Ranch 308 Ltd.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sun Valley Ranch 308 Ltd. Partnership v. Robson
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2012 · confidence medium
The relevant inquiry in terms of arbitrability, though, is whether the unjust enrichment claims “raise some issue the resolution of which requires a reference to or construction of some portion of the contract.” Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 362 , 807 P.2d 526, 530 (App.1990). ¶ 20 The unjust enrichment count against Scott Homes reads: Scott Homes has been enriched by receiving payment of construction costs over and above the fixed price set forth in the Construction Contract, by failing to pay or reimburse Plaintiffs for the fees associated with Letter of Credit No. STI17082…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Garza v. Swift Transportation Co.
Ariz. · 2009 · confidence medium
Frankel & Co., Inc., 196 Ariz. 350, 351-52, ¶ 4 , 996 P.2d 1254, 1255-56 (App.2000) (accepting § 12-2101(D) jurisdiction when case dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction); Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 , 807 P.2d 526, 529 (App. 1990) (asserting as alternative basis for jurisdiction that when dismissal was for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, § 12-2101(D) appeal would lie because party could never have “final” judgment). ¶ 17 Thus, the general rule remains that “jurisdiction of appeals is limited to final judgments which dispose of all claims and all parties.…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Swift Transportation Co. (2×)
Tex. App. · 2009 · confidence medium
He sued Porta-John for negligence and products liability, “alleging that he suffered personal injuries from chemicals supplied by Porta-John.” Id. at 527.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hart v. Zemmour
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
In Seifert , the Florida Supreme Court adopted the framework for analysis and holding of Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358 , 807 P.2d 526, 531 (1990): If the contract places the parties in a unique relationship that creates new duties not otherwise imposed by law, then a dispute regarding a breach of a contractually-imposed duty is one that arises from the contract.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ruesga v. Kindred Nursing Centers West, L.L.C.
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
Co. v. Chrysler Corp., 198 Ariz. 64, ¶ 8 , 6 P.3d 768, 770 (App. 2000); see also S. Cal. Edison Co., 194 Ariz. 47, ¶ 20 , 977 P.2d at 775 (absent Rule 54(b) certification, “order compelling arbitration remains interlocutory and is not 9 appealable”); Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 , 807 P.2d 526, 529 (App. 1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ruesga v. Kindred Nursing Centers West, L.L.C.
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2007 · confidence medium
Co. v. Chrysler Corp., 198 Ariz. 64, ¶8 , 6 P.3d 768, 770 (App.2000); see also S. Cal. Edison Co., 194 Ariz. 47, ¶ 20 , 977 P.2d at 775 (absent Rule 54(b) certification, “order compelling arbitration remains interlocutory and is not appealable”); Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 , 807 P.2d 526, 529 (App.1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Five Points Health Care Ltd. v. Alberts
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2004 · confidence medium
The court stated, "`If the contract places the parties in a unique relationship that creates new duties not otherwise imposed by law, then a dispute regarding a breach of a contractually-imposed duty is one that arises from the contract.'" Seifert, 750 So.2d at 640 (quoting Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358 , 807 P.2d 526, 531 (Ct.App.1990)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Service Vending Co. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (2×)
Mo. Ct. App. · 2002 · confidence medium
In Armada Coal Export, Inc. v. Interbulk, Ltd., 726 F.2d 1566, 1568 (11th Cir.1984), a case interpreting an arbitration clause, the court observed, “While certainly there is a connection between Armada’s claims and [a contractual] relationship between Armada and Interbulk — i.e., but for the two parties having entered into this business arrangement which was imperfectly performed, there would have been no wrongful attachment and conversion — such connection is not sufficiently close to constitute a dispute arising during the execution, or performance, of the [contract] itself.” See a…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sullivan v. SEARS AUTH. TERMITE AND PEST CONTROL, INC.
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2001 · confidence medium
The Supreme Court agreed with the reasoning in Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 , 807 P.2d 526, 529 (App.1990), cited by this court in Michaels, 668 So.2d 1013 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996) (holding that tort claims did not arise out of or relate to the "interpretation, performance, or breach of any provision of this agreement" and, therefore, such claims were not subject to the contract's arbitration provision.) Justice Anstead continued: As in Dusold and Michaels , because this case involves a claim sounding in tort, i.e., negligence, we must determine whether the tort claim, as alleged …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Boone v. Etkin
Fla. Dist. Ct. App. · 2000 · confidence medium
The Court agreed with the reasoning in Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 , 807 P.2d 526, 529 (App.1990), cited by this court in Terminix International Co. v. Michaels, 668 So.2d 1013 (Fla. 4th DCA 1996) (holding that tort claims did not arise out of or relate to the "interpretation, performance, or breach of any provision of this agreement" and, therefore, such claims were not subject to the contract's arbitration provision.) The Supreme Court approved our decision in Terminix and quoted the framework for analysis used by the Arizona Court of Appeals in Dusold .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Seifert v. US Home Corp. (2×)
Fla. · 1999 · confidence medium
See Hersman, 19 F.Supp.2d at 1286-87 ; see also Koullas v. Ramsey, 683 So.2d 415, 417 (Ala.1996); Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358 , 807 P.2d 526, 530 (Ct.App.1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Greenwood v. Sherfield
Mo. Ct. App. · 1995 · confidence medium
See Old Dutch Farms, 359 F.2d 598 (court refused to stay a tort action brought against a union although it was connected with the subject matter of the collecting bargaining agreement); Dusold v. Porta-John Corporation, 167 Ariz. 358 , 807 P.2d 526, 530 (1990) (negligence and products liability action for personal injuries from chemicals not arbitra-ble under license agreement containing a “broad” arbitration clause like that of the instant case).
examined Cited "see" Caliente v. Wildflower (3×)
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See 167 Ariz. 358, 359 (App. 1990).
discussed Cited "see" Dunn v. Fastmed Urgent Care PC (2×)
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2018 · signal: see · confidence high
See Dusold v. Porta-John Corp. , 167 Ariz. 358 , 361, 807 P.2d 526 , 529 (App. 1990) (finding appellate jurisdiction under predecessor to A.R.S. § 12-2101(A)(3)"to consider at least the dismissal and jurisdictional aspects of the trial court's order (transfer of arbitration to Michigan)"); see also Russo v. Barger , 239 Ariz. 100 , 103, ¶¶ 9-10, 366 P.3d 577 , 580 (App. 2016) (finding appellate jurisdiction after dismissal based on a forum-selection clause). 1 II.
examined Cited "see" Carey v. K&M (3×)
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2014 · signal: see · confidence high
See id. ¶15 Carey alleged that the Agreement was for the sale of securities.
discussed Cited "see" Western Agricultural Insurance v. Chrysler Corp. (2×)
Ariz. Ct. App. · 2000 · signal: see · confidence high
See Dusold v. Por-tar-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 361 , 807 P.2d 526, 529 (1990).
discussed Cited "see" Southern California Edison Co. v. Peabody Western Coal Co. (2×)
Ariz. · 1999 · signal: see · confidence high
See Dusold, 167 Ariz. at 361 , 807 P.2d at 529 . ¶ 20 But if the judge refuses to certify the order pursuant to Rule 54(b), the order compelling arbitration remains interlocutory and is not appealable.- In the proper ease, however, the refusal to enter an appealable order may be reviewed for abuse of discretion by special action proceedings. 5 See Continental Cas. v. Superior Court, 130 Ariz. 189, 192 , 635 P.2d 174, 177 (1981) (“[I]t is ... possible for a trial court to abuse its discretion by not permitting 54(b) language ... when the claim involved is clearly separate and distinct from t…
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Collins v. D.R. Horton, Inc. (2×)
D. Ariz. · 2003 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Dusold v. Porta-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358, 362 , 807 P.2d 526, 530 (Ariz.App.1990); Sutton v. Hollywood Entertainment Corn., 181 F.Supp.2d 504, 512 (D.Md.2002); Hersman, Inc. v. Fleming Companies, Inc., 19 F.Supp.2d 1282, 1287 (D.Ala.1998); Greenwood v. Sherfield, 895 S.W.2d 169, 176 (Mo.Ct.App.1995); Seifert v. U.S. Home Corp., 750 So.2d 633, 642-43 (Fla.1999).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Superpumper, Inc. v. Nerland Oil, Inc. (2×)
N.D. · 1998 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Dusold v. Portar-John Corp., 167 Ariz. 358 , 807 P.2d 526, 528 (Ct.App.1990) (holding appellate court could consider whether arbitration clause was applicable despite assertion order compelling arbitration was interlocutory and not appealable); Atkins v. Rustic Woods Partners, 171 Ill.App.3d 373 , 121 Ill.Dec. 493 , 525 N.E.2d 551, 554-555 (2d 1988) (concluding order compelling arbitration is appealable under a rule permitting appeal of interlocutory order granting injunction); Evansville-Vanderburgh Sch. v. Teachers Ass’n, 494 N.E.2d 321, 322-323 (Ind.Ct.App.1986) (interpreting U…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Robert DUSOLD, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
PORTA-JOHN CORPORATION, a Michigan Corporation, Defendant-Appellee
1 CA-CV 88-517.
Court of Appeals of Arizona.
Oct 11, 1990.
807 P.2d 526
DeeAn Gillespie and Teilborg, Sanders & Parks by Bradley R. Jardine and Rick N. Bryson, Phoenix, for plaintiff-appellant., Chandler, Tullar, Udall & Redhair by S. Jon Trachta, Tucson, for defendant-appel-lee.
Jacobson, Grant, Lankford.
Cited by 42 opinions  |  Published

OPINION

JACOBSON, Judge.

Plaintiff/appellant Robert Dusold (Du-sold) filed a negligence and products liability action against defendant/appellee Por-ta-John Corporation (Porta-John) and others, alleging that he suffered personal injuries from chemicals supplied by Porta-John. Porta-John moved to dismiss the complaint on the ground that an arbitration clause in the parties’ contract divested the trial court of subject matter jurisdiction over the action.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In 1985, Dusold began servicing and cleaning Porta-John’s portable toilets in Phoenix under a licensing agreement. The Service Contract Agreement (contract), drafted by Porta-John, contained a provision requiring arbitration in Michigan of “any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this agreement, or the breach thereof.”

Pursuant to this contract, Porta-John supplied Dusold with all chemicals required to clean and service the toilets. After several months, Dusold allegedly suffered injury from exposure to these chemicals. On December 31, 1986, Dusold filed a complaint against Porta-John and others, [1] alleging that Porta-John failed to warn him of the dangerous and toxic nature of these chemicals and also failed to provide him with adequate instructions for their safe use.

Porta-John moved to dismiss Dusold’s complaint pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) and (6), Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, contending that, as a result of the arbitration provision, arbitration in Michigan was Du-sold’s exclusive remedy for his personal injury tort claim and that, therefore, Du-sold’s complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted by an Arizona state court. In that same motion, Porta-John asked for an order compelling arbitration and staying judicial proceedings pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-1502.

In its minute entry following the hearing on Porta-John’s motion, the trial court expressed “some doubts about the fairness of compelling an Arizona Plaintiff in a multi-defendant tort case to arbitrate in Michigan his claim against the primary defendant.” Nevertheless, the court found that Du-sold’s claims “ar[o]se out of or relat[ed] to ... his agreement with Defendant Porta-John; they [were] for personal injuries Plaintiff received while performing on that agreement.” The court further found that both statute and case law required that all issues be resolved in favor of arbitration. The court granted Porta-John’s motion, entered judgment dismissing all claims against Porta-John, and ordered the parties to arbitrate those claims according to the terms of their contract. The judgment, which had been prepared and submitted by Porta-John and which conformed to the court’s minute entry order, contained Rule 54(b) language that the court found “no just reason for delay in entry of the judgment of dismissal as to defendant Porta-John.” See Rule 54(b), Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure.

Dusold timely appealed from that judgment, claiming:

(1) that the arbitration clause in the contract applied only to contract disputes and not to personal injury tort claims;
(2) that even if the clause was found to be broad enough to include personal injury claims, application of it to Du-sold’s personal injury claim abrogated his[*360] constitutional right to recover damages in a trial by jury in Arizona; and
(3) that, even if the arbitration agreement was valid as to Dusold’s personal injury claims and did not violate his constitutional rights, then either (a) the superior court did not have power to compel arbitration in another state, or (b) it was unreasonable in this case, and/or against the public policy of Arizona, to require arbitration in Michigan.

On January 17, 1989, along with its answering brief, Porta-John filed a motion to dismiss the appeal on the ground that an order compelling arbitration is a nonappealable, interlocutory order under Roeder v. Huisk, 105 Ariz. 508, 467 P.2d 902 (1970). This court ordered postponement of Porta-John’s jurisdictional argument until disposition on the merits. We first address the jurisdictional question.

JURISDICTION

Porta-John asserts that an order of the trial court compelling arbitration is interlocutory and therefore not appealable pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-2101.01 [2] and Roeder v. Huish.

Dusold argues that the order challenged here resulted in a judgment dismissing all claims against Porta-John, while the order in Boeder was simply an order granting the defendant’s application for arbitration and for stay of proceedings pending arbitration, and, thus, Boeder is distinguishable. Further, Dusold points out, the court specifically included Rule 54(b) language in its judgment and left no claims pending before the trial court as to Porta-John. The judgment, submitted by Porta-John and adopted in full by the court, states in pertinent part:

1. All claims against defendant Por-ta-John corporation are dismissed and defendant Porta-John is dismissed from this action.
2. The parties are ordered to arbitrate those claims in the State of Michigan according to the terms of their contract.
3. There is no just reason for delay in entry of judgment as to defendant Por-ta-John.

Porta-John argues that an order to arbitrate is by its nature interlocutory, and the trial court cannot transform it into a final order simply by incorporating it within a final judgment. Thus, Porta-John asks this court to either dismiss the appeal because of the intrinsically interlocutory nature of the arbitration order or to remand to the trial court for issuance of an order compelling arbitration and staying proceedings pending the outcome of arbitration.

We begin our analysis with a comparison of the proceedings here with those in Boe-der. In both cases, the parties had entered a contract containing a standard arbitration clause. 105 Ariz. at 509, 467 P.2d at 903. In Boeder, the defendants had filed an application requesting the court to compel arbitration pursuant to the terms in their contract. Id. The plaintiffs objected. The trial court granted the defendants’ application and ordered the parties to arbitrate. Prior to arbitration, the plaintiffs appealed from the trial court’s order. The court of appeals dismissed the appeal on the ground that “the order which is the subject of the appeal is an interlocutory order, not expressly made subject to an appeal and, therefore, is not an appealable order.” Id. On petition for review, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the court’s dismissal of the appeal and further held that an objecting party could “raise the issue of arbitra-[*361] bility ... by objecting to the trial court’s confirmation of arbitration award.” Id. at 510, 467 P.2d at 904.

Initially, we point out that this case, unlike Roeder, involves a motion to dismiss claims pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) and (6), not simply an application for an order to compel arbitration. The relief Porta-John sought was granted — the trial court dismissed all claims against Porta-John, and included Rule 54(b) language indicating finality. Such a judgment of dismissal, under either Rule 12(b)(1) or (6), is a final, appealable order under A.R.S. § 12-2101(B). See King v. Superior Court, 138 Ariz. 147, 150 n. 3, 673 P.2d 787, 790 n. 3 (1983). We have previously addressed the issue whether arbitration was properly compelled in the context of an appeal from dismissal of a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) and (6) that included Rule 54(b) language. See Payne v. Pennzoil Corp., 138 Ariz. 52, 672 P.2d 1322 (App. 1983). This form of final, appealable judgment was not at issue in Roeder.

What further distinguishes Roeder from the present case is that Porta-John seeks arbitration in Michigan, and argued to the trial court that Michigan arbitration would divest Arizona of subject matter jurisdiction. We need not determine the merits of that contention except to note that we would have jurisdiction over an appeal from such an order as affecting a substantial right which “in effect determines the action and prevents judgment from which an appeal might be taken.” A.R.S. § 12-2101(D). Porta-John fails to show us how, if this order is to be considered interlocutory and not appealable, Dusold would ever be able to obtain appellate relief over the “final” judgment in this court. Under Porta-John’s own reasoning, therefore, the order would be appealable even if interlocutory. See A.R.S. § 12-2101(D).

Because we have jurisdiction to consider at least the dismissal and jurisdictional aspects of the trial court’s order (transfer of arbitration to Michigan), we have jurisdiction over this appeal. Furthermore, any intermediate orders incorporated into that judgment are also reviewable once subject matter jurisdiction has been acquired. See State v. Rodriguez, 163 Ariz. 391, 788 P.2d 124 (1990). Consequently, we have jurisdiction to consider the applicability of the arbitration clause to Dusold’s negligence and products liability claims.

SCOPE OF THE ARBITRATION CLAUSE

Dusold's main argument is that the arbitration clause in his contract with Porta-John does not subject him to arbitration in Michigan over his tort action in Arizona for negligence and products liability against Porta-John. The arbitration clause at issue here provided as follows:

Any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this agreement, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in the state of Michigan where PORTA-JOHN conducts its principal business, in accordance with the rules then pertaining of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered may be entered by any Court having jurisdiction thereof.

The question whether a tort claim arising between parties who have a contractual relationship requiring that a claim “arising out of or relating to” an agreement or a breach of an agreement be subjected to arbitration is not without difficulty. The difficulty, in part, arises from the judicial preference to view arbitration as both time and money efficient as compared to judicial determinations; courts thus generally favor arbitration as the preferred mode of resolution. For this reason, courts have adopted somewhat broad statements of public policy regarding arbitration. One, for example, is that espoused in New Pueblo Constructors, Inc. v. Lake Patagonia Recreation Association, 12 Ariz.App. 13, 467 P.2d 88 (1970), which held all disputes between contracting parties should be subjected to arbitration unless it can be said with “positive assurance” that the arbitration clause does not cover the dispute. See also Beaver Coaches v. Revels Nationwide R.V. Sales, Inc., 543 So.2d 359 (Fla.App.1989) (only most forceful evidence of purpose to exclude claim from arbitration can[*362] prevail over broad contractual arbitration clause); National R.R. Passenger Corp. v. Boston & Maine Corp., 850 F.2d 756 (D.C.Cir.1988) (courts will compel arbitration unless party can make a clear showing that arbitration was not intended); Popper v. Monroe, 673 F.Supp. 1228 (S.D.N.Y.1987) (a standard arbitration clause is forceful evidence that parties intended to arbitrate a broad range of disputes).

These broad statements of judicial policy relating to arbitration serve the stated purpose of promoting efficiency in time and money when a dispute between parties is contractual in nature. However, when a dispute is not contractual but tortious, courts have shown an increasing reluctance to subject personal injury claims to contractual restraints on judicial resolution. This reluctance has taken some courts to the other extreme of limiting arbitration clauses where tort claims are concerned:

[AJbsent a clear explicit statement ... in a contract directing an arbitrator to hear and determine the validity of tort damage claims by one party against another, it must be assumed that the parties did not intend to withdraw such disputes from judicial authority.

Fuller v. Guthrie, 565 F.2d 259, 261 (2d Cir.1977), quoting Old Dutch Farms, Inc. v. Milk Drivers & Dairy Emp. Union, 359 F.2d 598, 603 (2d Cir.1966), cert. denied, 385 U.S. 832, 87 S.Ct. 71, 17 L.Ed.2d 67 (1966).

Such policy statements recognize that only those disputes that the parties could reasonably intend to be submitted to arbitration should be encompassed within their contractual agreement. Clarke v. Asarco, Inc., 123 Ariz. 587, 589, 601 P.2d 587, 589 (1979) (parties may be required to arbitrate only that “which by clear language they have agreed to arbitrate”). Thus, these courts implicitly have assumed that, unless the parties have explicitly included tort actions within the scope of their arbitration clauses, they must not have intended such claims to be subject to contractually-imposed resolution. Similarly, courts do not allow parties to escape arbitration clauses by framing contractual disputes as tort claims. See, e.g., Tri-City Jewish Center v. Blass Riddick Chilcote, 159 Ill.App.3d 436, 111 Ill.Dec. 247, 512 N.E.2d 363 (1987) (where a contract between an architect and builder required arbitration of disputes arising out of or related to their contract, the builder could not avoid arbitration by easting his claim for nonpayment of fees as “professional negligence” of the architect).

Moreover, courts also recognize that the expertise that particular arbitrators may bring to a contract dispute, which increases the acceptance of the arbitrator’s award, is lacking when the claim is for personal injuries. See Old Dutch Farms, Inc.

In our opinion, the better-reasoned cases start with the premise that, in order for the dispute to be characterized as arising out of or related to the subject matter of the contract, and thus subject to arbitration, it must, at the very least, raise some issue the resolution of which requires a reference to or construction of some portion of the contract itself. Id. The relationship between the dispute and the contract is not satisfied simply because the dispute would not have arisen absent the existence of a contract between the parties. Armada Coal Export, Inc. v. Interbulk, Ltd., 726 F.2d 1566 (11th Cir.1984). See also McMahon v. RMS Electronics, Inc., 618 F.Supp. 189 (S.D.N.Y.1985) (where tort claim does not require an interpretation of the underlying contract, no arbitration of that claim is required); Popper, 673 F.Supp. at 1228 (if defamatory statements have no material relationship to contractual relationship, no arbitration required). If such a connection to the contract is not present, tort claims between the parties could not reasonably be intended to have been subject to arbitration within the meaning of an arbitration clause requiring this method of resolution only for claims “arising out of or related to” the contract.

This reasoning is supported by the analysis employed by Arizona courts in differentiating tort claims “arising out of contract” from tort claims that arise solely out of legal duties imposed by law, for the purpose of awarding attorneys’ fees pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-341.01(A). See, e.g., Bar- [*363] mat v. John and Jane Doe Partners A-D, 155 Ariz. 519, 747 P.2d 1218 (1987); Lewin v. Miller Wagner & Co., Ltd., 151 Ariz. 29, 725 P.2d 736 (App.1986). If the contract places the parties in a unique relationship that creates new duties not otherwise imposed by law, then a dispute regarding a breach of a contractually-imposed duty is one that arises from the contract. Barmat, 155 Ariz. at 523, 747 P.2d at 1222. Analogously, such a claim would be one arising from the contract terms and therefore subject to arbitration where the contract required it. If, on the other hand, the duty alleged to be breached is one imposed by law in recognition of public policy and is generally owed to others besides the contracting parties, then a dispute regarding such a breach is not one arising from the contract, but sounds in tort. Id. Therefore, a contractually-imposed arbitration requirement like the one at issue here would not apply to such a claim.

Applying that rationale to this litigation, we note that Dusold alleged that his personal injuries occurred because Porta-John failed to warn him of the dangerous and toxic nature of its chemicals and failed to properly instruct him as to their safe use. Dusold does not contend that these duties to warn or instruct arose out of any contractual obligation of Porta-John under the licensing agreement between them. Rather, Dusold alleges that the duties to warn or instruct arose solely from Porta-John’s obligations as a supplier of hazardous materials and such a supplier’s duties are controlled by common law tort principles of products liability. The Arizona Supreme Court has recognized that when an injured buyer maintains a tort action on a theory of strict liability, “the essential nature of the action sounds in tort,” even if the parties’ relationship was formed by a contract, because “the liability of the seller would exist even without a contract.” Barmat, 155 Ariz. at 523 n. 1, 747 P.2d at 1222 n. 1. According to Dusold, the duties involved here would be owed to him by Porta-John even if he were a contractual stranger. We agree. In our opinion, the resolution of this dispute can take place without any reference to or construction of the contract between the parties. As such, it is not subject to the arbitration clause in the contract requiring arbitration in Michigan.

Because we hold that the arbitration clause does not apply to Dusold’s personal injury tort claim, we need not address the constitutional issue or his contention that requiring arbitration in Michigan is unreasonable.

Judgment of the trial court is reversed and the matter is remanded for reinstatement of Dusold’s complaint.

GRANT, C.J., and LANKFORD, J., concur.
1

. Other defendants were Enzymes of America, Inc.; Fred and Carolyn Ziegenbein, d/b/a Star Sanitation; ZED Services, Inc.; Celanese Chemical Co., Inc.; John and Jane Does 1-10; ABC partnerships 1-10; and XYZ corporations 1-10. Porta-John’s motion for dismissal did not involve the claims against these parties.

2

. A.R.S. § 12-2101.01 provides:

A. An appeal may be taken from:
1. An order denying an application to compel arbitration made under the terms of § 12-1502;
2. An order granting an application to stay arbitration made under the terms of subsection B of § 12-1502;
3. An order denying confirmation of an award;
4. An order modifying or correcting an award;
5. An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing; or
6. A judgment or decree entered pursuant to the provisions of article 1, chapter 9, of this title.

(Footnote omitted.)