23-40-B, SUPERSEDES 05-23-B IN RE: ARBITRATION - CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF CIRCUIT LIST OF QUALIFIED ARBITRATORS; COURT ORDERED NON-BINDING ARBITRATION IN CIRCUIT CIVIL CASES & COUNTY COURT; COMPENSATION AND PROCEDURES - ORDERED 11/14/2023 BY CHARLES G. CRAWFORD
EXCERPT: “WHEREAS, Section 44.103, Florida Statutes, permits a presiding Civil Circuit or County Judge to refer civil cases to non-binding arbitration without the consent of the parties, in much the same way cases are referred to mediation; WHEREAS, Rule 1.810(a), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, requires the Chief Judge, or his designee, to maintain a list of qualified persons who have agreed to serve within the circuit as arbitrators under §44.103, Florida Statutes; WHEREAS, Rules 11.010 and 11.020, Florida Rules of Court – Appointed Arbitrators, require, with certain exceptions, that arbitrators be members of the Florida Bar and that they complete a training program approved by the Supreme Court of Florida; WHEREAS, Rule 1.820(b)(1), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, requires the Chief Judge to set procedures for determining the time and place of the arbitration hearing; WHEREAS, Rule 1.820(b), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, requires the Chief Judge to establish the compensation for arbitrators in accordance with §44.103, Florida Statutes; NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in the Chief Judge by Rule. 2.050 of the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, it is ORDERED as follows: (Open AO for more information.)”