Title: In Re: Amendments to Florida Rule for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators 10.140

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC21-29 
____________ 
 
IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULE FOR CERTIFIED AND 
COURT-APPOINTED MEDIATORS 10.140. 
 
August 26, 2021 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
The Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute 
Resolution Rules and Policy (Committee) proposes amending the 
Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators by 
creating new rule 10.140 (Operating Procedures and Authority).1  
We have jurisdiction2 and adopt the new rule as proposed.  
 
 
1.  The Committee proposes the amendments pursuant to In re 
Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy – 
Responsibilities, Membership and Appointments, Fla. Admin. Order 
No. AOSC20-59 (June 29, 2020), which directs the Committee to 
“[m]onitor court rules governing alternative dispute resolution 
procedures and recommend to the Court necessary amendments.” 
 
 
2.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.; § 44.106, Fla. Stat. (2020). 
 
- 2 - 
The Committee voted unanimously to approve proposed new 
rule 10.140.  After the Committee filed the proposed new rule with 
the Court, the Court published the proposal for comment.  
However, no comments were received. 
New rule 10.140 will authorize the Committee to promulgate, 
adopt, and amend operating procedures regarding training 
standards and procedures for certified mediation training programs, 
requirements for continuing mediator education for certified 
mediators, administrative procedures governing the certification 
and renewal of mediators, and any other procedures necessary to 
implement the rules. 
Accordingly, the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-
Appointed Mediators are amended as reflected in the appendix to 
this opinion.  New language is indicated by underscoring.  The 
amendments shall take effect immediately upon the release of this 
opinion. 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, MUÑIZ, 
COURIEL, and GROSSHANS, JJ., concur. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER 
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS AMENDMENT. 
 
- 3 - 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules for Certified and Court-
Appointed Mediators  
 
Judge Michael S. Orfinger, Chair, Committee on Alternative Dispute 
Resolution Rules and Policy, Daytona Beach, Florida; and Juan R. 
Collins, Senior Attorney, Dispute Resolution Center, Tallahassee, 
Florida, 
 
for Petitioner 
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APPENDIX 
 
Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators 
 
PART I. 
MEDIATOR QUALIFICATIONS 
 
RULE 10.140.  OPERATING PROCEDURES AND AUTHORITY 
 
The Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and 
Policy shall have authority to promulgate, adopt, and amend 
operating procedures regarding: 
 
(a) training standards and procedures for certified mediation 
training programs; 
 
(b) requirements for continuing mediator education for 
certified mediators; 
 
(c) administrative procedures governing the certification and 
renewal of mediators; and  
 
(d) any other procedures necessary to implement these rules.