Laws v. Horizon Housing, Inc.

MARTIN, Judge. Plaintiffs appeal from an order compelling arbitration of their claims against Green Tree Financial Servicing Corporation. Although plaintiffs acknowledge their appeal is from an interlocutory order because it does not determine all claims against all parties, they contend the order compelling arbitration affects their substantial rights and is immediately appealable pursuant to G.S. § l-277(a) and G.S. § 7A-27(d). In addition, they contend the trial court’s action in finding “that there is no just reason for delay” and in certifying its order compelling arbitration “for appeal pursuant to Rule 54(b)” renders the order immediately appealable. We first consider the trial court’s Rule 54(b) certification. A Rule 54(b) certification by the trial court is reviewable by this Court on appeal; a trial court’s certification of no just reason to delay the *771 appeal does not bind the appellate court because “ ‘ruling on the interlocutory nature of appeals is properly a matter for the appellate division, not the trial court.’ ” First Atlantic Management Corp. v. Dunlea Realty Co., 131 N.C. App. 242, 247, 507 S.E.2d 56, 61 (1998) (quoting Estrada v. Jaques, 70 N.C. App. 627, 640, 321 S.E.2d 240, 249 (1984)); see Tridyn Industries, Inc. v. American Mutual Ins. Co., 296 N.C. 486, 251 S.E.2d 443 (1979). With respect to orders regarding arbitration, G.S. § 1-567.18 provides: (a) An appeal may be taken from: (1 An order denying an application to compel arbitration made under G.S. 1 567.3; (2) An order granting an application to stay arbitration made under G.S. l-567.3(b); (3) An order confirming or 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 this Article. The statute does not provide for an immediate appeal from an order compelling arbitration, and this Court has expressly held “that there is no immediate right of appeal from an order compelling arbitration.” Bluffs, Inc. v. Wysocki, 68 N.C. App. 284, 286, 314 S.E.2d 291 (1984) (holding that an order compelling arbitration is interlocutory and does not affect a substantial right so as to be immediately appeal-able pursuant to G.S. 1-277(a) or G.S. 7A-27(d)). Plaintiffs’ appeal is dismissed. Dismissed. Judges LEWIS and WALKER concur.