A rabbinical or ecclesiastical arbitration conducted under the Commercial Arbitration Act 1984 (Vic) must produce an award that satisfies the same requirements of certainty, completeness and finality as any other arbitral award. A letter from an arbitrator that does not quantify the amount owed with certainty, does not finally determine the parties' ability to pay, and leaves terms of payment to future determination does not constitute a valid award. Parties who participate fully in court proceedings on the merits without seeking a stay cannot later contend that the court lacked jurisdiction by reason of the arbitration.
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