Opinion ID: 1712746
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Qualifications Complaint Committee

Text: The Committee also proposes the creation of a Qualifications Complaint Committee (QCC), a committee of the Mediator Qualifications Board. Under newly created rules 10.720(j), 10.730(e), and 10.740(b), the QCC has exclusive authority to determine probable cause in relation to good moral character issues involving both applicants and certified mediators. As explained below, under new rule 10.800 the QCC reviews all questions concerning the good moral character of applicants and certified mediators and all discipline by a professional organization of which a mediator is a member. Rule 10.800 (Good Moral Character; Professional Discipline) establishes a procedure by which the good moral character of applicants and certified mediators is reviewed. Subdivision (a) outlines the procedure to be followed when a good moral character issue arises in relation to both applicants and certified mediators. Under this procedure the Dispute Resolution Center reviews all applications and forwards questionable matters to the QCC. The Center also forwards to the QCC any credible evidence it becomes aware of which brings into question the current good moral character of a certified mediator. The QCC then can either dismiss the complaint or send it to a hearing panel. After the hearing, the panel can dismiss the charges, deny certification of an applicant, or impose sanctions on a mediator. Subdivision (b) provides a mechanism for review by the QCC any time the Dispute Resolution Center becomes aware that a certified mediator has been disciplined by a professional organization of which a mediator is a member. Rule 10.810 (Committee Process) is derived from existing rule 10.220 (Complaint Committee Process). Reference to the QCC is added where appropriate and the rule is amended to accommodate the new procedures for determination of good moral character. Rule 10.820 (Hearing Procedures) is derived from existing rule 10.230. The only significant change to this rule is the addition of subdivision (n) which substitutes the preponderance of the evidence standard in relation to applications for the clear and convincing evidence standard normally utilized in mediator disciplinary cases. Rule 10.830 (Sanctions) is derived from existing rule 10.240. Rule 10.850 (Confidentiality) is derived from existing rule 10.260. These amendments bring the rules into compliance with the procedure for determining good moral character. Rule 10.880 (Supreme Court Review) is based on existing rule 10.290. The amendments to this rule provide for review of good moral character determinations.