In deciding whether a pair of disputed arbitration agreements are enforceable under the New Jersey Arbitration Act even if exempt from the nearly identical Federal Arbitration Act, the Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that they are, and thereby upheld an Appellate Division decision in one case and reversed in the other.

The court on Tuesday ruled that in both cases, the plaintiffs waived their right to a jury trial to pursue claims, and affirmed that parties to an arbitration agreement need not reach a written meeting of the minds—or mutual assent—on all governing legal principles to have a binding agreement.