Panels of arbitrators

(a) Creation of panels

Every court must have a panel of arbitrators for personal injury cases, and such additional panels as the presiding judge may, from time to time, determine are needed.

(b) Composition of panels

The panels of arbitrators must be composed of active or inactive members of the State Bar, retired court commissioners who were licensed to practice law before their appointment as commissioners, and retired judges. A former California judicial officer is not eligible for the panel of arbitrators unless he or she is an active or inactive member of the State Bar.

(c) Responsibilities of ADR committee

The ADR committee is responsible for determining the size and composition of each panel of arbitrators. The personal injury panel, to the extent feasible, must contain an equal number of those who usually represent plaintiffs and those who usually represent defendants.

(d) Service on panel

Each person appointed serves as a member of a panel of arbitrators at the pleasure of the ADR committee. A person may be on arbitration panels in more than one county. An appointment to a panel is effective when the person appointed:

(1) Agrees to serve;

(2) Certifies that he or she is aware of and will comply with applicable provisions of canon 6 of the Code of Judicial Ethics and these rules; and

(3) Files an oath or affirmation to justly try all matters submitted to him or her.

(e) Panel lists

Lists showing the names of panel arbitrators available to hear cases must be available for public inspection in the ADR administrator's office.