Title: In Re: Amendments To The Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure And The Florida Rules For Certified And Court-Appointed Mediators

State: florida

Issuer: Florida Supreme Court

Document:

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-118 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE 
PROCEDURE AND THE FLORIDA RULES FOR CERTIFIED AND 
COURT-APPOINTED MEDIATORS. 
 
[July 1, 2010] 
 
QUINCE, J. 
 
This matter is before the Court for consideration of proposed amendments to 
the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure and the Florida Rules for Certified and 
Court-Appointed Mediators.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const; 
see also § 44.106, Fla. Stat. (2009). 
 
The Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy 
(Committee) is charged in part with monitoring and recommending amendments to 
court rules governing alternative dispute resolution procedures and monitoring and 
recommending revisions to the continuing education, mentorship, and basic 
mediation training requirements.  See In re Committee on Alternative Dispute 
Resolution Rules and Policy, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC03-32 (July 8, 2003); 
 
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see also In re Petition of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules & Policy 
Comm., 931 So. 2d 877, 878 (Fla. 2006). 
In response to this continuing mandate, the Committee filed a petition 
proposing new rules to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure pertaining to 
mediation in appellate proceedings and related amendments to the Florida Rules of 
Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators.  The proposed appellate rules of 
procedure are:  9.700, Mediation Rules; 9.710, Eligibility for Mediation; 9.720, 
Mediation Procedures; 9.730, Appointment and Compensation of the Mediator; 
and 9.740, Completion of Mediation.  The proposed amendments to the Florida 
Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators include rules 10.100, 
Certification Requirements; 10.730, Mediator Qualifications Board; and 10.900, 
Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee.  The proposals appeared in the April 15, 
2009, edition of The Florida Bar News.  The Appellate Court Rules Committee 
(ACRC) submitted a comment.  The Court heard oral argument on April 8, 2010. 
The Committee patterned its proposed amendments to the appellate rules 
after comparable provisions governing the state’s trial court mediation program.  
See Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.700-1.730.  Having considered the Committee’s petition and 
the concerns presented by the ACRC, we hereby adopt the proposed amendments 
to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, with modifications to proposed rules 
9.700, 9.720, and 9.730, as discussed below.  We also adopt the Committee’s 
 
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proposed amendments to the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed 
Mediators. 
With the Court’s adoption of procedural rules governing appellate 
mediation, we recognize the difference between appellate and trial-court-level 
mediation based upon the posture of the case.  Unlike in an initial proceeding—
whether before a county or circuit court sitting in its original capacity or with 
respect to specific areas of the law, such as dependency or family law cases—a 
controversy on appeal has been resolved in favor of one party over the other.  The 
viability of mediation when the case reaches a court sitting in its appellate capacity 
may not be apparent to the parties.  Instead, that may not occur until after the briefs 
have been filed, reflecting the issues upon which review is sought as well as the 
strengths and weaknesses of the parties’ arguments.   To accommodate the 
distinction between trial court and appellate mediation, proposed appellate rule 
9.700, including subdivisions (c) (Applicability) and (d) (Referral), is modified to 
permit the parties to agree to postpone mediation until after the time for filing 
briefs has expired. 
Proposed rule 9.720 (Mediation Procedures) is modified to permit the parties 
to agree to attend mediation electronically. 
The final modification we make to the Committee’s proposed amendments 
to the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure pertains to an eligibility requirement 
 
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for appointment of an appellate mediator.  As adopted, rule 9.730 (Appointment 
and Compensation of the Mediator) requires that a certified appellate mediator, 
whether designated by the parties or appointed by the court, be licensed to practice 
law unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. 
Upon consideration of the Committee’s report, the ACRC’s comment, and 
oral argument, we hereby adopt the proposed amendments as reflected in the 
appendix to this opinion.   New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions 
are indicated by struck-through type.  The amendments shall become effective 
immediately upon release of this opinion.   
 
It is so ordered. 
PARIENTE, LEWIS, POLSTON, LABARGA, and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
CANADY, C.J., dissents. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
Original Proceeding – The Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee and 
The Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators Committee 
 
Judge William D. Palmer, Chair, The Committee on Alternative Dispute 
Resolution Rules and Policy, Fifth District Court of Appeal, Daytona Beach, 
Florida,  
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
John G. Crabtree, Chair, Rules of Appellate Procedure Committee, Key Biscayne, 
Florida, and John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director and Krys Godwin, Staff 
Liaison, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with Comments 
 
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APPENDIX 
Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure  
 
Rule 9.700.     Mediation Rules 
 
(a)   Applicability.    Rules 9.700 – 9.740 apply to all appellate courts, 
including circuit courts exercising jurisdiction under rule 9.030(c), district courts 
of appeal, and the Supreme Court of Florida. 
 
(b)   Referral.    The court, upon its own motion or upon motion of a party, 
may refer a case to mediation at any time.  Such motion from a party shall contain 
a certificate that the movant has consulted opposing counsel or unrepresented party 
and that the movant is authorized to represent that opposing counsel or 
unrepresented party:  
 
(1)   has no objection; 
 
(2)   objects and cites the specific reasons for objection; or  
 
(3)   will promptly file an objection.    
 
(c)   Time Frames for Mediation.    The first mediation conference shall be 
commenced within 45 days of referral by the court, unless the parties agree to 
postpone mediation until after the period for filing briefs has expired.  The 
mediation shall be completed within 30 days of the first mediation conference.  
These times may be modified by order of the court.   
 
(d)   Tolling of Times.    Unless otherwise ordered, or upon agreement of 
the parties to postpone mediation until after the expiration of time for filing the 
appellate briefs, all times under these rules for the processing of cases shall be 
tolled for the period of time from the referral of a case to mediation until mediation 
ends pursuant to section 44.404, Florida Statutes.  The court, by administrative 
order, may provide for additional tolling of deadlines.  A motion for mediation 
filed by a party within 30 days of the notice of appeal shall toll all deadlines under 
these rules until the motion is ruled upon by the court. 
 
 
(e)   Motion to Dispense with Mediation.    A motion to dispense with 
mediation may be served not later than 10 days after the discovery of the facts 
which constitute the grounds for the motion, if: 
 
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(1)  the order violates rule 9.710; or 
 
(2)  other good cause is shown. 
 
Rule 9.710.    Eligibility for Mediation 
 
Any case filed may be referred to mediation at the discretion of the court, but 
under no circumstances may the following categories of actions be referred: 
 
 
(a)   Criminal and post-conviction cases. 
 
(b)   Habeas corpus and extraordinary writs. 
 
(c)   Civil or criminal contempt. 
 
 
(d)   Involuntary civil commitments of sexually violent predators. 
 
 
(e)   Collateral criminal cases. 
 
(f)   Other matters as may be specified by administrative order. 
 
Rule 9.720.    Mediation Procedures 
 
(a)   Appearance.    If a party to mediation is a public entity required to 
conduct its business pursuant to chapter 286, Florida Statutes, that party shall be 
deemed to appear at a mediation conference by the physical presence of a 
representative with full authority to negotiate on behalf of the entity and to 
recommend settlement to the appropriate decision-making body of the entity.  
Otherwise, unless changed by order of the court, a party is deemed to appear at a 
mediation conference if the following persons are physically present or appear 
electronically upon agreement of the parties: 
 
(1) 
The party or its representative having full authority to settle 
without further consultation. 
 
 
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(2) 
The party’s trial or appellate counsel of record, if any.  If a 
party has more than one counsel, the appearance of only one 
counsel is required. 
 
(3) 
A representative of the insurance carrier for any insured party 
who is not such carrier’s outside counsel and who has full 
authority to settle without further consultation. 
 
(b)   Sanctions.    If a party fails to appear at a duly noticed mediation 
conference without good cause, the court, upon motion of a party or upon its own 
motion, may impose sanctions, including, but not limited to, any or all of the 
following, against the party failing to appear: 
 
(1) 
An award of mediator and attorney fees and other costs or 
monetary sanctions. 
 
 
 
(2) 
The striking of briefs. 
 
 
 
(3) 
Elimination of oral argument. 
 
 
 
(4) 
Dismissal or summary affirmance. 
 
(c)   Scheduling and Adjournments.    Consistent with the time frames 
established in rule 9.700(c) and after consulting with the parties, the mediator shall 
set the initial conference date. The mediator may adjourn the mediation conference 
at any time and may set times for reconvening the adjourned conference.  The 
mediator shall notify the parties in writing of the date, time, and place of any 
mediation conference, except no further notification is required for parties present 
at an adjourned mediation conference. 
 
(d)   Control of Procedures.    The mediator shall at all times be in control 
of the procedures to be followed in the mediation.   
 
(e)   Communication with Parties.    The mediator may meet and consult 
privately with any party or parties or their counsel.  Counsel shall be permitted to 
communicate privately with their clients. 
 
 
 
Rule 9.730.  Appointment and Compensation of the Mediator. 
 
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(a)   Appointment by Agreement.    Within 10 days of the court order of 
referral, the parties may file a stipulation with the court designating a mediator 
certified as an appellate mediator pursuant to rule 10.100(f), Florida Rules for 
Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators.  Unless otherwise agreed to by the 
parties, the mediator shall be licensed to practice law in any United States 
jurisdiction.   
 
(b)   Appointment by Court.    If the parties cannot agree upon a mediator 
within 10 days of the order of referral, the appellant shall notify the court 
immediately and the court shall appoint a certified appellate mediator selected by 
such procedure as is designated by administrative order.  The court shall appoint a 
certified appellate mediator who is licensed to practice law in any United States 
jurisdiction, unless otherwise requested upon agreement of the parties. 
 
(c)   Disqualification of Mediator.    Any party may move to enter an order 
disqualifying a mediator for good cause.  Such a motion to disqualify shall be filed 
within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 days after discovery of the facts 
constituting the grounds for the motion, and shall be promptly presented to the 
court for an immediate ruling. If the court rules that a mediator is disqualified from 
a case, an order shall be entered setting forth the name of a qualified replacement.  
The time for mediation shall be tolled during any periods in which a motion to 
disqualify is pending. 
 
(d)   Substitute Mediator.    If a mediator agreed upon by the parties or 
appointed by the court cannot serve, a substitute mediator may be agreed upon or 
appointed in the same manner as the original mediator.   
 
(e)   Compensation of a Court-Selected Mediator.    If the court selects the 
mediator pursuant to subdivision (b), the mediator shall be compensated at the 
hourly rate set by the court in the referral order or applicable administrative order.  
Unless otherwise agreed, the compensation of the mediator should be prorated 
among the named parties.  
 
Committee Notes 
 
This rule is not intended to limit the parties from exercising self-determination in 
the selection of any appropriate form of alternative dispute resolution or to deny 
the right of the parties to select a neutral.  The rule does not prohibit parties from 
selecting an otherwise qualified non-certified appellate mediator prior to the 
 
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court’s order of referral.  Parties may pursue settlement with a non-certified 
appellate mediator even within the ten-day period following the referral.  However, 
once parties agree on a certified appellate mediator, or notify the court of their 
inability to do so, the parties can satisfy the court’s referral to mediation pursuant 
to these rules only by appearing at a mediation conducted by a supreme court 
certified appellate mediator. 
 
 
 
Rule 9.740.  Completion of Mediation 
 
(a)   No Agreement.    If the parties do not reach an agreement as a result of 
mediation, the mediator shall report, within 10 days, the lack of an agreement to 
the court without comment or recommendation. 
 
(b)   Agreement.    If a partial or final agreement is reached, it shall be 
reduced to writing and signed by the parties and their counsel, if any.  Within 10 
days thereafter, the mediator shall file a report with the court on a form approved 
by the court.   
 
FLORIDA RULES FOR CERTIFIED AND COURT-APPOINTED 
MEDIATORS 
 
PART I  MEDIATOR QUALIFICATIONS 
Rule 10.100.     Certification Requirements 
 
(a)  General.  For certification as a county court, family, circuit court, or 
dependency, or appellate mediator, a mediator must be at least 21 years of age, and 
be of good moral character.  For certification as a county court, family, circuit 
court, or dependency mediator, and one must have the required number of points 
for the type of certification sought as specifically required in rule 10.105. 
 
(b)-(e)  [No change.] 
 
 
(f)  Appellate Mediators.  For initial certification as a mediator of appellate 
matters, an applicant must be a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit, family or 
dependency mediator and successfully complete a Florida Supreme Court certified 
appellate mediation training program. 
 
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(f)(g)  Senior Judges Serving As Mediators.  A senior judge may serve as a 
mediator in a court-ordered mediation only if certified by the Florida Supreme 
Court as a mediator for that type of mediation. 
 
 
(g)(h)  Referral for Discipline.  If the certification or licensure necessary for 
any person to be certified as a family or circuit mediator is suspended or revoked, 
or if the mediator holding such certification or licensure is in any other manner 
disciplined, such matter shall be referred to the Mediator Qualifications Board for 
appropriate action pursuant to rule 10.800. 
 
(h)(i)  Special Conditions.  Mediators who are certified prior to August 1, 
2006, shall not be subject to the point requirements for any category of 
certification in relation to which continuing certification is maintained. 
 
 
PART III  DISCIPLINE 
 
Rule 10.730.     Mediator Qualifications Board 
 
 
(a)  [No Change.] 
 
 
(b)  Composition of Divisions.  Each division of the board shall be composed 
of: 
 
 
(1)-(4)  [No change.]  
 
 
(5)  not less than 1 nor more than 3 certified dependency mediators; and 
 
 
(6)  not less than 1 nor more than 3 certified appellate mediators; and 
 
 
(6)(7)  three attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida who have a 
substantial trial practice and are neither certified as mediators nor judicial 
officers during their terms of service on the board, at least 1 of whom shall 
have a substantial dissolution of marriage law practice. 
 
  
(c)-(g)  [No Change.] 
 
Committee Notes 
[No change.] 
 
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Rule 10.900.     Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee 
 
 
(a)-(b)  [No Change.] 
 
 
(c)  Membership and Terms.  The membership of the committee shall be 
composed of 1 county mediator, 1 family mediator, and 1 circuit mediator from 
each division and shall be appointed by the chief justice.  At least one of the 9 
members shall also be a certified dependency mediator, and at least one of the 9 
members shall also be a certified appellate mediator.  All appointments shall be for 
4 years. No member shall serve more than 2 consecutive terms.  The committee 
shall select 1 member as chair and 1 member as vice-chair. 
 
 
(d)-(h)  [No Change.] 
 
Committee Notes 
[No change.]