§ Rule VII Standards for Certification and Training

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Rule VII. Standards for Certification and Training

    (a) Eligibility. Persons eligible to be program arbitrators are:

        (1) retired judges and justices of the courts of the State of Florida;

        (2) persons who were members of circuit fee arbitration committees at the time of or prior to the merger of the grievance mediation and fee arbitration programs;

        (3) persons who have served on a circuit grievance committee for 1 year or more; and

        (4) any other person who, in the opinion of the committee, possesses the requisite education, training, or certification in alternative dispute resolution to be a program arbitrator.

    Members of The Florida Bar must be members in good standing, and have no pending recommendation of minor misconduct or finding of probable cause to be eligible for appointment.

    (b) Certification. The committee may certify applicants as program arbitrators if they meet the eligibility requirements stated above and have agreed to accept at least 2 referrals per calendar year.

    The committee may decline to certify applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements set forth above or have been found guilty of, pled guilty to, or been disciplined for misconduct that, in the opinion of the committee, renders those persons inappropriate for service as program arbitrators.

    (c) Cessation of Referrals and Removal of Certification. A certified arbitrator shall not receive additional referrals where probable cause has been found against the arbitrator until the case has been disposed of. The standing committee may revoke certification of a program arbitrator for any reason that the committee might use to deny initial certification, and for any other reason that the committee believes would render a program arbitrator unfit.

    (d) Reimbursement of Expenses. Program arbitrators shall not be compensated for time devoted to or travel incurred in connection with an arbitration conducted hereunder. Program arbitrators may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses that include, but are not limited to: court reporter fees; telephone calls; photocopying fees (at a maximum of $.25 per page); and translation services.