Court clarifies qualifications for court-appointed arbitrators
The Florida Supreme Court has clarified that, effective immediately, a sole or chief court-appointed arbitrator must be a Bar member in good standing for the past five years, unless the parties agree in writing to allow someone eligible to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction during that time.
This amendment to Florida Rule for Court-Appointed Arbitrators 11.010 (Qualification), approved on October 31 in Case No. SC2024-0442, follows a petition from the Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy and incorporates feedback from two comments received after publication in News in May.
Additionally, the revised rule permits non-licensed individuals who are not currently disbarred or suspended to serve as non-chair arbitrators on an arbitration panel, provided all parties give their written consent.
