Wow!!! On November 15th the Florida Supreme Court issued In Re: Petition Of The Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules And Policy Committee On Amendments To Florida Rules For Certified And Court-Appointed Mediators, 2007 Fla. LEXIS 2172 [Fla. 2007] in which it amended the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators to provide a true point-based mediator certification system by removing The Florida Bar membership requirement for certified Circuit Court Mediators!!!What a marvelous opportunity for those without legal training, as well as for those who are members of the bar in jurisdictions other than Florida, to become a certified Circuit Court Mediator!
The Court also recognized that there may be situations where one party to a Circuit Court mediation may object to the appointment of a mediator who lacks legal training and if that occurs, the trial court must appoint a mediator who is also a member of The Florida Bar. Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.720(f)(2) was amended to reflect this requirement.
Please take the time to read this incredibly important opinion – you’ll be glad you did!!!
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