What Ethical Rules Govern Florida Mediators and How Are Complaints Handled?
Direct Answer
Florida certified and court-appointed mediators must follow state mediator ethics rules covering impartiality, confidentiality, competence, conflicts of interest, and professional conduct. Complaints are handled by the Mediator Qualifications Board.
Florida mediators are governed by the Florida Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators (Rules 10.200–10.690), which set standards for self-determination, impartiality, conflict of interest, competence, confidentiality, and professional conduct. The Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee (MEAC) issues advisory opinions on ethical questions submitted by certified mediators — these opinions are publicly available on the Florida DRC website and serve as the primary interpretive authority. Formal complaints against certified mediators are filed with the Mediator Qualifications Board (MQB), a nine-member body appointed by the Florida Supreme Court. The MQB investigates complaints, conducts hearings, and may impose sanctions ranging from a letter of concern to suspension or decertification. Common ethical issues include failure to disclose conflicts of interest, coercive conduct, breach of confidentiality, and practicing outside one's certification level. Mediators who are also attorneys are subject to both the Florida Rules for Mediators and the Florida Bar's Rules of Professional Conduct, which can create complex dual-obligation situations that the MEAC has addressed in several published opinions.