Washington Supreme Court August 18, 2016, No. 92489-9 (Nelson v. Erickson)

Owens, J.

¶1 In many civil cases, arbitration is mandatory. After arbitration, either party can request a full trial, but if it does not improve its position from arbitra*387tion, it has to pay the opposing party’s attorney fees. In this case, Michael Erickson requested a trial after arbitration, and the issue before us is whether he improved his position at trial.