In Re: Petition Of The Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules And Policy Committee On Amendments To Florida Rules For Certified And Court-Appointed Mediators
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Supreme Court of Florida
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No. SC05-998
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IN RE: PETITION OF THE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
RULES AND POLICY COMMITTEE ON AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA
RULES FOR CERTIFIED AND COURT-APPOINTED MEDIATORS.
[November 15, 2007]
PER CURIAM.
In response to the Court’s request, the Supreme Court Committee on
Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy (Committee) has submitted
amendments to the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators
(Mediator Rules) that incorporate the point-based system for mediator certification
approved on an interim basis in the Court’s prior opinion in this case. We adopt
the rule amendments as proposed by the Committee, specially removing the
requirement of Florida Bar membership for certified circuit court mediators. 1
1. We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.; see also § 44.106,
Fla. Stat. (2006).
BACKGROUND
Previously in this case, we adopted, with minor modifications, proposed
amendments to the Mediator Rules, and approved new point-based mediator
certification requirements, as modified for circuit court mediators, outlined in an
administrative order. In re Petition of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules
and Policy Comm. on Amendments to Fla. Rules for Certified and CourtAppointed Mediators, 931 So. 2d 877 (Fla. 2006) [hereinafter Amendments]; In re
Rules Governing Certification of Mediators, Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC06-9
(May 11, 2006) [hereinafter Administrative Order No. AOSC06-9]. We explained
in our prior opinion:
[T]he practical effect of this new point system is to remove the more
formal mandatory education and profession-based requirements . . .
and to allow applicants to obtain certification in a variety of different
ways more directly related to the actual skills and experience the
Committee has determined to be necessary for service as an effective
mediator.
Amendments, 931 So. 2d at 880.
The action we took in our first opinion varied from the Committee’s original
proposals as follows. First, although, as part of new point system, the Committee
proposed the removal of the Florida Bar membership requirement for certified
circuit court mediators, we retained that requirement until we could more fully
consider the issue. We were hesitant to remove the Bar membership requirement
without input from The Florida Bar, which had not filed a comment. Therefore,
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we directed the Bar to file a comment addressing the issue. Id. at 880-81. Second,
although the Committee proposed that the new point system be outlined in an
administrative order, we determined that the point system should be incorporated
into the rules instead and directed the Committee to propose such rule
amendments. Id. at 882. However, we approved the point system in concept and
approved, on an interim basis, its inclusion in the new administrative order
governing certification of mediators. Finally, we did not adopt proposed
procedures for review by the Chief Justice of disciplinary action against mediators,
and instead modified the rule to provide that review by the Chief Justice will be in
accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to administrative order. Id. at 884. 2
As requested by the Court, the Committee submitted amendments that
incorporate into the rules the new mediator certification point-based requirements,
including the retained Bar membership requirement for certified circuit court
mediators. However, the Committee continues to strongly urge the Court to
remove the Bar membership requirement. As requested by the Court, the Bar also
2. The Court is concerned about review of determinations concerning
mediators by the Chief Justice, as currently authorized by rule and administrative
order, especially the procedures proposed for review of disciplinary action, and
would like the Committee to consider alternatives to the Chief Justice’s direct
participation. Cf. In re Amendments to Rules Regulating Fla. Bar – Fla.
Registered Paralegal Program, No. SC06-1622 (Fla. Nov. 15, 2007) (adopting
review procedures for discipline of registered paralegals without review by the
Chief Justice). The Committee’s proposals should be filed with the Clerk of the
Court by February 15, 2008.
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filed its comment addressing the Bar membership requirement. The Bar takes the
position that the requirement should be retained for circuit court mediators, but that
the applicant also should be required to have been a member in good standing of
The Florida Bar or the bar of another jurisdiction for the five years immediately
preceding an application.
The rule amendments, along with an explanation of the Committee’s and the
Bar’s positions on the Bar membership requirement, were published for comment
in The Florida Bar News. Several comments were received by the Court. The
Court held oral argument on May 7, 2007.
After considering the Committee's proposals and the comments filed, and
hearing oral argument, we amend the Mediator Rules as proposed by the
Committee. Additionally, we amend, on our own motion, Florida Rule of Civil
Procedure 1.720.
DISCUSSION
As noted above, in our prior opinion, we resolved to reevaluate the Bar
membership requirement for certified circuit court mediators after The Florida Bar
had an opportunity to respond to the Committee’s recommendation that the
requirement be removed. Additionally, we determined that the new mediator point
system previously adopted by administrative order should be incorporated into the
Mediator Rules. Each matter is discussed in turn below.
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Bar Membership Requirement for Certified Circuit Court Mediators
The Florida Bar membership requirement for certified circuit court
mediators is currently found in Administrative Order No. SC06-9:
An applicant must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar
with at least five years of Florida practice and be an active member of
The Florida Bar within one year of application for certification; or be
a retired trial judge from any United States jurisdiction who was a
member in good standing of the bar in the state in which the judge
presided for at least five years immediately preceding the year
certification is sought.
Administrative Order No. SC06-9 at 4. Prior to its inclusion in the administrative
order, the Bar membership requirement was found in former rule 10.100(c), which
provided the certification requirements for circuit court mediators.
The Florida Bar did not file a comment in response to the Committee’s
original proposal to remove the Bar membership requirement; and, of all the
comments received by the Court only the comment filed by the Bar at the direction
of the Court and two other comments by members of The Florida Bar urge
retaining this requirement. In moving to a true point-based certification system for
all categories of mediators except circuit court mediators, we recognized that “the
general consensus in the alternative dispute resolution field is that possession of
academic degrees, including law degrees, does not necessarily predict an
individual’s ability to be a good mediator.” Amendments, 931 So. 2d at 881.
According to the Committee, Florida is currently in a minority of states that require
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legal training as a prerequisite to being certified as a circuit court mediator. We
understand that by continuing to urge the Court to remove this requirement, the
Committee seeks to ensure that Florida maintains its place of preeminence in the
alternative dispute resolution field in the United States. After considering the
Bar’s comment and the Committee’s well-reasoned response, as well as the
numerous comments in this case in support of the Committee’s position, we now
remove the Bar membership requirement for certified circuit court mediators and
amend the rules to provide a true point-based mediator certification system for our
state.
However, in eliminating the Bar membership requirement for certified
circuit court mediators, we also recognize that there may be situations in which a
party to a circuit court mediation may object to the appointment of a mediator who
lacks legal training. In such situations, we believe that the circuit court must
necessarily appoint a mediator who is a member of The Florida Bar. Accordingly,
on our own motion, we also amend Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.720(f)(2) to
require courts to appoint a certified circuit court mediator who is a member of The
Florida Bar upon the request of either party.
Rule Amendments
Rule 10.100, Certification Requirements
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Subdivision (a), General, is amended to explain that for certification as a
mediator, a mediator must have the required number of points for the type of
certification sought as specifically required in rule 10.105, Point System
Categories. Subdivisions (b), County Court Mediators, (c), Family Mediators, (d),
Circuit Court Mediators, and (e), Dependency Mediators, are amended to delineate
the point requirements for mediator certification. The certification requirements
track those previously contained in the administrative order, with the exception of
the removal of the Bar membership requirement for circuit court mediators.
Rule 10.105, Point System Categories
New rule 10.105 explains how many points will be awarded for different
levels of education, mediation experience, and mentorship. Further, the new rule
explains how many points will be awarded in miscellaneous categories such as (1)
licensure or certification in any United States jurisdiction in psychology,
accounting, social work, mental health, health care, education, or the practice of
law or mediation; (2) possession of a conversational ability in a foreign language
or approval as a sign language interpreter; (3) completion of a mediation training
program approved by a jurisdiction other than Florida and which may not be the
required Florida Supreme Court mediation training program; and (4) certification
as a mediator by the Florida Supreme Court. The committee note to the rule
includes a table that illustrates the point system. The rule and table track, with
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minor changes required by the removal of the Bar membership requirement, the
point system and table previously set forth in the administrative order.
CONCLUSION
In adopting these amendments, the Court again thanks the Committee on
Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy for its continued dedication in
advising the Court on alternative dispute resolution policies and procedures. We
are especially grateful to the Committee for its counsel in this case and for
assisting the Court in further refining Florida’s successful mediation system. We
also thank The Florida Bar and the commentors who also provided valuable input
in this case.
Accordingly, we amend the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed
Mediators and the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure as reflected in the appendix to
this opinion. New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated
by struck-through type. The committee notes are offered for explanation only and
are not adopted as an official part of the rules. These amendments shall become
effective immediately upon the release of this opinion.
It is so ordered.
LEWIS, C.J., and WELLS, ANSTEAD, PARIENTE, QUINCE, CANTERO, and
BELL, JJ., concur.
NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION, AND
IF FILED, DETERMINED.
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Original Proceeding – Rules of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Policy
Committee – Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators
Honorable Shawn L. Briese, Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and
Policy Committee, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Daytona Beach, Florida,
for Petitioner
Larry Fong, President, Association for Conflict Resolution, Washington, D.C.;
Honorable Barbara L. Rutberg, West Palm Beach, Florida; Linda Fieldstone,
President, Florida Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Naples, Florida;
Kenneth R. Hart of Ausley and McMullen, Florida Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, Tallahassee, Florida; John W. Day, St. Petersburg, Florida; Jane M.
Lambert, Tampa, Florida; Merrett R. Stierheim of Merrett R. Stierheim and
Associates, Miami, Florida; Brian Schremp, Tampa, Florida; Andrew Blaise Sasso
of Sasso and Bodolay, Clearwater, Florida; John Anthony Boggs, The Florida Bar,
Tallahassee, Florida; Kathryn B. Anderson, CAE, CEO-Executive Director,
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tallahassee, Florida; Martin G.
Holleran, Stuart, Florida; Ronald J. Lebio, Dunnellon, Florida; Edgardo
Rodriguez-Quilichini, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Kenneth R. Starr, Sarasota, Florida;
Gary N. Feder, CPA, P.A., Coral Gables, Florida; Nancy Neal Yeend, the John
Paul Jones Group, Los Altos, California; and Gregory Firestone, Ph.D., Tampa,
Florida;
Responding with comments
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APPENDIX
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 mediator, a mediator must be at least 21 years of age, and be of good
moral character, and have the required number of points for the type of
certification sought as specifically required in rule 10.105.
(b) County Court Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of
county court matters, an applicant must have at least a high school diploma or a
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and 100 points, which shall include: satisfy
the requirements adopted pursuant to administrative order of the chief justice.
Such order shall establish minimum requirements in the categories of training,
education, and mentorship.
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court certified
county court mediation training program;
(2) 10 points for education; and
(3) 60 points for mentorship.
(c) Family Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of family
and dissolution of marriage issues, an applicant must have at least a bachelor’s
degree and 100 points, which shall include, at a minimum: satisfy the requirements
adopted pursuant to administrative order of the chief justice. Such order shall
establish minimum requirements in the categories of training, education,
experience, and mentorship.
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court certified
family mediation training program;
(2) 25 points for education/mediation experience; and
(3) 30 points for mentorship.
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Additional points above the minimum requirements may be awarded for
completion of additional education/mediation experience, mentorship, and
miscellaneous activities.
(d) Circuit Court Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of
circuit court matters, other than family matters, an applicant must have at least a
bachelor’s degree and 100 points, which shall include, at a minimum: satisfy the
requirements adopted pursuant to administrative order of the chief justice. Such
order shall establish minimum requirements in the categories of training,
education, experience, and mentorship.
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court
certified circuit mediation training program;
(2) 25 points for education/mediation experience; and
(3) 30 points for mentorship.
Additional points above the minimum requirements may be awarded for
completion of additional education/mediation experience, mentorship, and
miscellaneous activities.
(e) Dependency Mediators. For initial certification as a mediator of
dependency matters, as defined in Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.290, an
applicant must have at least a bachelor’s degree and 100 points, which shall
include, at a minimum: satisfy the requirements adopted pursuant to
administrative order of the chief justice. Such order shall establish minimum
requirements in the categories of training, education, experience, and mentorship.
(1) 30 points for successful completion of a Florida Supreme Court
certified dependency mediation training program;
(2) 25 points for education/mediation experience; and
(3) 40 points for mentorship.
Additional points above the minimum requirements may be awarded for
completion of additional education/mediation experience, mentorship, and
miscellaneous activities.
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(f) – (h)
[No Change]
Rule 10.105. Point System Categories
(a) Education. Points shall be awarded in accordance with the following
schedule (points are only awarded for the highest level of education completed and
honorary degrees are not included):
High School Diploma/GED
Associate’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution
Doctorate (e.g., Ph.D., J.D., M.D., Ed.D., LL.M.)
Ph.D. from Accredited Conflict Resolution Program
10 points
15 points
20 points
25 points
30 points
30 points
40 points
An additional five points will be awarded for completion of a graduate level
conflict resolution certificate program in an institution which has been accredited
by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges, the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schools, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools, the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges, the American Bar Association, or an entity of equal status.
(b) Mediation Experience. One point per year will be awarded to a
Florida Supreme Court certified mediator for each year that mediator has mediated
at least 15 cases of any type. In the alternative, a maximum of five points will be
awarded to any mediator, regardless of Florida Supreme Court certification, who
has conducted a minimum of 100 mediations over a consecutive five-year period.
(c) Mentorship. Ten points will be awarded for each supervised mediation
completed of the type for which certification is sought and five points will be
awarded for each mediation session of the type for which certification is sought
which is observed.
(d)
Miscellaneous Points.
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1. Five points shall be awarded to applicants currently licensed or certified
in any United States jurisdiction in psychology, accounting, social work, mental
health, health care, education or the practice of law or mediation. Such award shall
not exceed a total of five points regardless of the number of licenses or
certifications obtained.
2. Five points shall be awarded for possessing conversational ability in a
foreign language as demonstrated by certification by the American Council on the
Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Test, qualification as a
court interpreter, accreditation by the American Translators Association, or
approval as a sign language interpreter by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
Such award shall not exceed a total of five points regardless of the number of
languages in which the applicant is proficient.
3. Five points shall be awarded for the successful completion of a mediation
training program (minimum 30 hours in length) which is certified or approved by a
jurisdiction other than Florida and which may not be the required Florida Supreme
Court certified mediation training program. Such award shall not exceed five
points regardless of the number of training programs completed.
4. Five points shall be awarded for certification as a mediator by the Florida
Supreme Court. Such award shall not exceed five points per category regardless of
the number of training programs completed or certifications obtained.
Committee Notes
The following table is intended to illustrate the point system established in
this rule. Any discrepancy between the table and the written certification
requirements shall be resolved in favor of the latter.
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Points Needed Per Area of
Certification
Minimum Points Required in Each Area
County
100
30 certified county mediation training; 10 education (minimum HS
Diploma/GED); 60 mentorship
Family
100
30 certified family mediation training; 25 education/ mediation experience
(minimum Bachelor’s Degree); 30 mentorship [and requires 15 additional points]
Dependency
100
30 certified dependency mediation training; 25 education/mediation experience
(minimum Bachelor’s Degree); 40 mentorship [and requires 5 additional points]
Circuit
100
30 certified circuit mediation training, 25 education/mediation experience
(minimum Bachelor’s Degree); 30 mentorship; [and requires 15 additional points]
Education/Mediation Experience (points awarded for highest level of education received)
HS Diploma/GED
10 points
Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution
30
Associate’s Degree
15 points
Doctorate (e.g., J.D., M.D., Ph.D., Ed.D.,
LL.M.)
30
Bachelor’s Degree
20 points
Ph.D. from accredited CR Program
40
Master’s Degree
25 points
Graduate Certificate CR Program
+5
Florida certified mediator: 1 point per year in which mediated at least 15 mediations (any type)
OR any mediator: – 5 points for minimum of 100 mediations (any type) over a 5 year period
Mentorship- must work with at least 2 different certified mediators and must be completed for the type of
certification sought
Observation
5 points each session
Supervised Mediation
10 points each complete mediation
Miscellaneous Points
Licensed to practice law, psychology, accounting, social work, mental health, health
care, education or mediation in any US jurisdiction
5 points (total)
Florida Certified Mediator
5 points (total)
Foreign Language Conversational Ability as demonstrated by certification by ACTFL
Oral Proficiency Test; qualified as a court interpreter; or accredited by the American
Translators Association; Sign Language Interpreter as demonstrated by approval by the
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Completion of additional mediation training program (minimum 30 hours in length)
certified/approved by a state or court other than Florida
5 points (total)
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5 points (total)
Florida Rules of Civil Procedure
Rule 1.720. Mediation Procedures
(a)-(e) [No Change]
(f) Appointment of the Mediator.
(1) [No Change]
(2) If the parties cannot agree upon a mediator within 10 days of the order of
referral, the plaintiff or petitioner shall so notify the court within 10 days of the
expiration of the period to agree on a mediator, and the court shall appoint a
certified mediator selected by rotation or by such other procedures as may be
adopted by administrative order of the chief judge in the circuit in which the action
is pending. At the request of either party, the court shall appoint a certified circuit
court mediator who is a member of The Florida Bar.
(3) [No Change]
(g) [No Change]
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