Comments Sought on Alternative Dispute Resolution Updates

The Florida Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy has filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court to amend the Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators, Parts I and III. The petition is styled In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators, and the case number is SC2025-0258. A public comment period for this matter is open through June 2, 2025. More information about these rule amendments, including the publication notice and comment filing requirements, is available through the Florida Courts website.

The committee is also in the process of considering making a proposal to amend section 44.108, Florida Statutes, Funding of mediation and arbitration. The draft amendments being considered for proposal are intended to increase the number of cases eligible for court-connected family and county mediation services by increasing the income limitations commensurate with inflation since the current levels were set. Specifically, the threshold for services in family cases would be increased for the first time since 2004, the per party session fees would be modified for the first time since 2008, and the threshold for certain county court mediation services would also be adjusted. Additional information about this draft proposal is available on the Florida Courts website. Comments for the committee’s consideration should be sent to the Dispute Resolution Center at DRCmail@flcourts.gov on or before Friday, May 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.