61B-45.043. Final Orders; Appeals; Stays

(1) Unless waived, a final order shall be entered within 45 days after the hearing, receipt by the arbitrator of the hearing transcript if one is timely filed, or receipt of any post-hearing memoranda, whichever is applicable. The final order shall be in writing and shall include a statement of any award or remedy. Failure to render a decision within such time period shall not invalidate the decision.

(2) The final order shall be mailed to the parties, if unrepresented, or to their counsel or other qualified representative of record by regular U.S. mail. The final order shall include a certificate of service which shall show the date of mailing of the final order to the parties. The date of mailing of the final order shall be the date used to calculate the deadline for appeal by trial de novo.

(3) The final order shall include notice of the right to initiate judicial proceedings under Section 718.1255 or 719.1255, F.S.

(4) The decision shall be final and binding upon the parties, unless judicial proceedings are initiated pursuant to Section 718.1255 or 719.1255, F.S.

(5) The arbitrator in the final order may grant mandatory or prohibitory relief, monetary damages, declaratory relief, or any other remedy or relief which is deemed just and equitable. However, no final order may include the imposition of a civil penalty pursuant to Section 718.501 or 719.501, F.S.

(6) In reaching a decision, the arbitrator may take official notice of and find as true without proof, any fact which may be judicially noticed by the courts of this state, including any arbitration final order or any final order of the division involving a similar or related issue.

(7) A final order of the arbitrator does not constitute final agency action and therefore is not appealable to the district courts of appeal as otherwise provided by Section 120.68, F.S., and Rule 9.110, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Appeals, if taken, shall be by trial de novo as described in subsection (4) above.

(8) The arbitrator, the division, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation are not necessary parties in judicial proceedings relating to the arbitration, including appeals by trial de novo and actions seeking enforcement of final orders.

(9) A final or nonfinal order is effective upon its issuance unless a stay has been issued. A party who appeals from an order seeking to stay a final or nonfinal order may, within 30 days of issuance of a final or nonfinal order from which an appeal is sought, file a motion to stay with the arbitrator who shall have continuing jurisdiction to grant, modify, or deny such request for relief.

Specific Authority 718.1255, 719.1255 FS. Law Implemented 718.1255, 719.1255 FS. History–New 4-1-92, Amended 2-2-93, Formerly 7D-45.043, Amended 9-21-94, 12-20-95, 6-19-96, 12-10-96, 7-4-04.