61B-50.108. Who May Appear; Criteria for Other Qualified Representatives

(1) Any person who appears before an arbitrator has the right, at that person’s own expense, to be accompanied, represented and advised by a member of the Florida Bar or by a qualified representative who is not a member of the Florida Bar, but who shall demonstrate his or her familiarity with and understanding of the arbitration rules of procedure, and with any relevant portions of Chapter 718, 719 or 723, F.S., and the rules promulgated by the Division.

(2) If a person wishes to be represented by a qualified non-attorney representative, the arbitrator shall make diligent inquiry of the prospective representative during a non-adversarial proceeding, under oath, to assure that the prospective representative is qualified to appear in the arbitration proceedings and is capable of representing the rights and interests of the person. In lieu of the above, the arbitrator may consider the prospective representative’s sworn affidavit setting forth the representative’s qualifications.

(3) If the arbitrator is satisfied that the prospective non-attorney representative has the necessary qualifications to render competent and responsible representation of the unit owner’s or member’s interest in a manner that will not impair the fairness of the proceedings or the correctness of the action to be taken, the arbitrator shall authorize the prospective non-attorney representative to appear in the pending arbitration.

(4) The arbitrator shall make a determination of the qualifications of the prospective non-attorney representative in light of the nature, scope and extent of the proceedings, the proposed representation, the applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the factual and legal issues to be presented during the arbitration proceeding. (The prospective non-attorney representative shall not, however, be required to disclose facts and legal theories to the prejudice of his client.) In determining the qualifications of a prospective non-attorney representative, the arbitrator shall consider the following criteria to the extent they are relevant, material, and applicable to the proceeding:

(a) The prospective representative’s knowledge of jurisdiction and supportive legal authority to file the initial petition;

(b) The knowledge or experience of the prospective representative regarding Chapter 61B-50, F.A.C., The Rules of Procedure Governing Recall Arbitration, Section 718.112(2)(j), 719.106(1)(f) or 723.078(2)(i), F.S., and the scope and remedies of the arbitration process;

(c) The knowledge or experience of the prospective representative regarding the application and interpretation of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure as they relate to discovery in an arbitration proceeding;

(d) The knowledge or experience of the prospective representative regarding the rules of evidence, including the concept of hearsay and its use in an arbitration proceeding;

(e) The knowledge or experience of the prospective representative regarding the statutes of rules which may be at issue;

(f) The educational background, training or work experience of the prospective representative relevant to the subject matter involved in the proceeding;

(g) The relationship of the prospective representative to the person, and the need of the person to have a representative speak on the person’s behalf; and

(h) Any other matters which are deemed relevant and material by the arbitrator.

(5) A representative named in the initial petition or who has filed a notice of appearance shall remain the representative of record and shall receive pleadings and continue in a representative capacity until the representative's withdrawal has been approved in writing by the arbitrator.

(6) Any successor or associated attorney or other non-attorney representative shall file a notice of appearance prior to, or at the time of, the filing of any pleading with, or appearance before, the arbitrator.

(7) Members of the Florida Bar and certified law students are bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. For other qualified representatives, the following standards have been written. These standards of conduct are adopted as a mandatory guide for all representatives, including unit owner and member representatives chosen pursuant to subparagraph 61B-23.0027(3)(b)2., paragraph 61B-23.0028(1)(f), subparagraph 61B-75.007(3)(b)2., paragraph 61B-75.008(1)(f), subparagraph 61B-33.002(3)(b)1. or paragraph 61B-33.003(1)(f), F.A.C., appearing in any arbitration proceeding, except counsel subject to disciplinary procedures of the Florida Bar.

(8) Standards of Conduct.

(a) A representative shall exercise due diligence in the filing and argument of any motion or pleading. All motions or pleadings shall be filed and argued in good faith.

(b) The signature of a representative upon any motion or pleading shall constitute a certificate that the representative has read the motion or pleading, that to the best of the representative’s knowledge it is supported by good faith grounds and that it has not been presented solely for the purpose of delay.

(c) A representative shall advise the client to observe and to obey the law.

(d) A representative shall not:

1. Engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; or engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of the arbitration process;

2. File a pleading, assert a position, conduct a defense, delay an arbitration proceeding or take other action on behalf of the client when such action would serve merely to harass or maliciously injure another;

3. Handle a legal or factual matter which the representative knows or should know that the representative is not competent to handle without associating an attorney or another qualified representative; or handle a legal or factual matter without adequate preparation;

4. State or imply that he or she is able to improperly influence the arbitrator or any agency or public official;

5. Communicate or cause another to communicate with an adverse party regarding matters at issue in the arbitration proceeding where the representative knows that the adverse party is represented by an attorney or other qualified representative;

6. Disregard or advise the client to disregard a rule or statute of an agency or a ruling of an arbitrator made in the course of an arbitration proceeding;

7. Conceal or knowingly fail to disclose that which one is bound to reveal by law;

8. Knowingly use perjured testimony or false evidence, or withhold any evidence that the representative or the client should produce;

9. Knowingly make a false statement of law or fact;

10. Advise or cause a person to secret himself or leave the jurisdiction of any agency for the purpose of making the person unavailable as a witness therein; pay, offer to pay or acquiesce in the payment of compensation to a witness contingent upon the content of the witness’s testimony or the outcome of the case; counsel or advise a witness to provide other than honest testimony.

Rulemaking Authority 718.501(1)(f), 719.501(1)(f), 723.1255 FS. Law Implemented 718.112(2)(j), 718.1255, 719.106(1)(f), 719.1255, 723.078(2)(i) FS. History–New 7-1-82, Formerly 7D-50.04, Amended 7-27-88, Formerly 7D-50.004, Amended 1-17-93, Formerly 7D-50.108, Amended 2-13-97, 6-24-04, 3-2-16.