An arbitration award, pursuant to art. 824 bis of the Code of Civil Procedure, produces from the date of its last signature the effects of a judgment rendered by the courts and, once it has become final, acquires the authority of res judicata; consequently, the settlement of mutual obligations between the parties, once enshrined in the award and having become final, may not be reopened in judicial proceedings, save through the specific remedies of challenge provided by law.