Opinion ID: 1129427
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: The Committee [2] filed its proposals in response to a charge to its predecessor, the Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, to undertake a review of the qualifications for mediator certification and to make recommendations to the Court regarding amendments to the Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators. [3] The proposed rule amendments can be classified into three different areas: Mediator Qualifications (Fla. R. Med.10.100-10.130), Standards of Professional Conduct (Fla. R. Med. 10.360, 10.370 and 10.420), and Discipline (Fla. R. Med.10.800-10.880). [4] The Committee also submits an administrative order to be issued by the Chief Justice in conjunction with the issuance of this opinion amending the rules. As relevant here, the administrative order outlines a new mediator certification requirements point system and replaces the current administrative order governing certification of mediators. See In re Rules Governing Certification of Mediators, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC00-8 (April 11, 2000) (on file with Clerk, Fla. Sup.Ct.). Prior to being submitted to the Court, the Committee's proposals were twice published for comment in The Resolution Report, which is sent to all persons who have completed a Supreme Court certified mediation training program. The proposals also were presented at the Dispute Resolution Center's 2004 Conference for Mediators and Arbitrators. Over sixty comments were received and considered by the Committee before it unanimously approved the proposal creating the new mediator certification point system. After the Committee's proposals were filed with the Court, the proposals were published for comment in The Florida Bar News. Several comments were received by the Court. The Court also held oral argument on the proposals, where it heard from the Chair of the Committee. After considering the Committee's petition and the comments filed, and hearing from the Committee Chair, we adopt the proposed amendments to the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators, with the modifications discussed below. We also approve, on an interim basis as explained below, the new mediator certification requirements point system as modified for circuit court mediators and outlined in administrative order In re Rules Governing Certification of Mediators, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC06-9 (May 11, 2006), which is contained in appendix B to this opinion.