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40 verbatim requirements from administrative order 2020-26-02 - Amended Order Governing Court-ordered Nonbinding Arbitration.
9th Judicial Circuit. Procedural information only; not legal advice.
Verbatim from https://ninthcircuit.org/sites/default/files/AO2020-26-02_1.pdf, harvested 2026-07-25; whitespace normalised only. • The presiding judge shall consider the following factors in determining whether or not to refer a contested civil action to nonbinding arbitration: a) The amount in controversy; b) The estimated cost of nonbinding arbitration, including the parties’ attorneys’ fees, costs and arbitrator compensation; c) Whether the underlying dispute for the action is commercial in nature; d) Whether the action involves complex issues of facts and law; e) Whether all parties are represented by counsel; f) Whether a jury trial has been demanded by any party; and g) Any other factor the presiding judge deems relevant to the determination. -- 1 of 9 -- • The court administrator for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, through the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs director, shall create and maintain an updated list of persons who are qualified to serve as arbitrators in matters referred to nonbinding arbitration pursuant to section 44.103, Florida Statutes. • To be listed as an arbitrator, one must be a member of The Florida Bar for at least five (5) years and must satisfy the qualification and training requirements set forth in rules 11.010, 11.020, and 11.110, Florida Rules for Court- • The list of qualified arbitrators shall be designated as the Ninth Judicial Circuit List of Qualified Arbitrators, and shall be posted to the Ninth Judicial • Unless otherwise directed by the presiding judge, the parties to any contested civil action referred to nonbinding arbitration shall attempt to agree on a mutually acceptable single arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators within thirty (30) days from the date of the presiding judge’s referral order. • In the absence of a mutual agreement between the parties, the presiding judge shall appoint a single arbitrator from the Ninth Judicial Circuit List of Qualified Arbitrators. • The nonbinding arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of practice and procedure adopted by the Supreme Court of Florida, as well as with all orders and directives of the presiding judge and the provisions of this • The final arbitration hearing shall be conducted within ONE-HUNDRED • This time period may not be extended or continued without the prior approval of the presiding judge. • Plaintiff’s counsel shall be appointed as lead attorney to coordinate and schedule the final hearing. • Plaintiff’s counsel shall file a notice of the final hearing with the Court, including the name of the arbitrator(s) and the date and time for the final hearing. • All parties and their counsel shall attend the final arbitration hearing. • If insurance is involved, whether or not named as a party, the insurance company shall have a representative present at the final hearing with full authority to resolve the case. • If a party fails to attend the final hearing, the arbitrator(s) shall proceed with the final hearing. • The parties shall submit pre-hearing briefs to the arbitrator(s) at least ten (10) days prior to the final hearing. • The arbitrator(s) shall have such power to administer oaths or affirmations and to conduct the proceedings as the rules of court provide. • Unless the parties agree otherwise, presentation of testimony, exhibits and other evidence shall be solely through sworn statements, depositions and affidavits. • Although no live testimony shall be presented to the arbitrator(s) absent the agreement of the parties, a live hearing shall be conducted for counsel and any pro se parties to make argument concerning the applicable law and facts. • The arbitrator(s) shall determine whether to conduct the hearing in-person or through remote video. • The arbitration hearing shall be completed and closed within thirty (30) days of the first arbitration hearing unless extended by order of the presiding judge. • No extension of time shall be for a period exceeding sixty (60) days from the date of the first arbitration hearing. • At least thirty (30) days prior to the final hearing, the parties shall serve upon each other and the arbitrator(s) all sworn statements, affidavits and depositions, with all exhibits. • Prior to the conclusion of the final arbitration hearing, each party shall provide the arbitrator(s) and the opposing party with a proposed decision in Word format. • Within ten (10) business days after the conclusion of the final hearing, the arbitrator(s) shall issue a written reasoned decision on the merits of the claims and defenses pursuant to Section 44.103(5), Florida Statutes. • The arbitrator(s) shall seal and file the decision with the Clerk, together with a Notice of Filing and Serving Nonbinding Arbitration • Said notice shall notify the parties and the presiding judge of the date on which the decision was sealed and filed and indicate the date and manner of service of the nonbinding arbitration decision to the parties. • Within twenty (20) days of service of the arbitrator’s written decision, any party must file a notice of rejection of the arbitrator's decision and request for trial in the same document in order to reject the arbitration decision pursuant Fla. • If a notice of rejection of the arbitrator’s decision and request for trial is not timely made, the arbitrator’s decision must be referred to the presiding judge, who must enter such orders and judgments as -- 3 of 9 -- • The parties shall compensate the arbitrator(s) pursuant to Section 44.103(3), Florida Statutes, unless otherwise agreed by the arbitrator(s) and the parties. • The parties shall pay the arbitrator(s) an initial deposit in a reasonable amount determined by the arbitrator(s) within twenty (20) days from the date of the referral order. • Once the final arbitration hearing is scheduled, the arbitrator(s) shall provide the parties with written notice, increasing the initial deposit to include all fees, costs and expenses which the arbitrator(s) estimates will be incurred to complete the arbitration proceeding through and including the entry of a final nonbinding decision. • Said increased deposit shall be paid by the parties within ten (10) days from the date of the arbitrator(s)’ notice. • All payments to the arbitrator(s) shall be equally divided and paid by the parties. • Within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order, the parties shall attempt to agree on a mutually acceptable single arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators. • The parties and counsel shall not communicate ex parte with the arbitrator(s) at any time. -- 5 of 9 -- • The final arbitration hearing shall be conducted and concluded within _______ days after the close of discovery. • This time period may not be extended or continued without the prior approval of the Court. • Plaintiff’s counsel shall file a notice of the final hearing with the Court, including the name(s) of the arbitrator(s) and the date and time for the final hearing. • All parties and their counsel shall attend the final arbitration hearing as directed by the arbitrator(s). • The parties shall submit pre-hearing briefs to the arbitrator(s) at least ten (10) days prior to the final hearing, with copies to the opposing party.
The presiding judge shall consider the following factors in determining whether or not to refer a contested civil action to nonbinding arbitration: a) The amount in controversy; b) The estimated cost of nonbinding arbitration, including the parties’ attorneys’ fees, costs and arbitrator compensation; c) Whether the underlying dispute for the action is commercial in nature; d) Whether the action involves complex issues of facts and law; e) Whether all parties are represented by counsel; f) Whether a jury trial has been demanded by any party; and g) Any other factor the presiding judge deems relevant to the determination. -- 1 of 9 --
Reviewer note: Order PDF sha256: 639b93b15330b38ac0ceb78026a49842984dbe4aa9733435abacdc01fe07db4f. Extracted from the order's own text layer.
Judge Bell caps motions and responses at 5 pages for UMC hearings and 12 pages for special-set hearings.
Judge Alijewicz requires every motion for attorney's fees and/or costs to attach a document detailing time records — no records, no fee award.
Judge Corlew bars informal contact: every communication with the Court must be in writing, filed with the Clerk, with copies furnished to all parties — and no calls to the JA to schedule or cancel UMC.