The Court granted a Motion to Compel Arbitration of claims arising out of the Master Settlement Agreement between the major tobacco manufacturers and the states. The Court found the language of the arbitration clause, which contained the words "any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to" be very broad. The Court also noted North Carolina’s strong public policy in favor of arbitration, and that the agreement to arbitration had helped to eliminate "any real or imagined home court advantage" and would avoid "the potential influence of state politics and other matters." 22 other states had granted similar motions.