Mediator Rules Comments Due 1/1

The Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy has undertaken the revision of Part I, Mediator Qualifications, and Part II, Standards of Professional Conduct, of the Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators. Committee members are seeking feedback on the revisions at the link below on Amendments to Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators. Most involve the certification criteria, but other proposed changes include enhancements to impartiality, conflicts and social networking. Confidentiality of the caucus is also addressed in that with the express consent of the parties and counsel, a mediator may establish as a ground rule for the mediation that information disclosed during caucus may be disclosed to the other mediation participants unless a party expressly tells the mediator to keep the information confidential. Additionally, regarding reporting mediation outcomes to courts, mediators must not include comments reflecting a mediator's opinions regarding whether a party or counsel mediated in "good faith" as sometimes seen in referral orders. Send any comments to the Dispute Resolution Center by email to DRCmail@flcourts.org, on or before January 1, 2022. See more here-- https://bit.ly/3EPGfD5