ARBITRATION CODE

F.S. Ch. 682

in effect

F.S. 682.01 Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the “Revised Florida Arbitration Code.”

F.S. 682.02 Arbitration agreements made valid, irrevocable, and enforceable; scope.

(1) An agreement contained in a record to submit to arbitration any existing or subsequent controversy arising between the parties to the agreement is valid, enforceable, and irrevocable except upon a ground that exists at law or in equity for the revocation of a contract. (2) The court shall decide whether an agreement to arbitrate exists or a controversy is subject to an agreement to arbitrate. (3) An arbitrator shall decide whether a condition precedent to arbitrability has been fulfilled and whether a contract containing a valid agreement to arbitrate is enforceable. (4) If a party to a judicial proceeding challenges the existence of, or claims that a controversy is not subject to, an agreement to arbitrate, the arbitration proceeding may continue pending final resolution of the issue by the court, unless the court otherwise orders. (5) This section also applies to written interlocal agreements under ss. 163.01 and 373.713 in which two or more parties agree to submit to arbitration any controversy between them concerning water use permit applications and other matters, regardless of whether or not the water management district with jurisdiction over the subject application is a party to the interlocal agreement or a participant in the arbitration.

F.S. 682.03 Proceedings to compel and to stay arbitration.

(1) On motion of a person showing an agreement to arbitrate and alleging another person’s refusal to arbitrate pursuant to the agreement: (a) If the refusing party does not appear or does not oppose the motion, the court shall order the parties to arbitrate. (b) If the refusing party opposes the motion, the court shall proceed summarily to decide the issue and order the parties to arbitrate unless it finds that there is no enforceable agreement to arbitrate. (2) On motion of a person alleging that an arbitration proceeding has been initiated or threatened but that there is no agreement to arbitrate, the court shall proceed summarily to decide the issue. If the court finds that there is an enforceable agreement to arbitrate, it shall order the parties to arbitrate. (3) If the court finds that there is no enforceable agreement to arbitrate, it may not order the parties to arbitrate pursuant to subsection (1) or subsection (2). (4) The court may not refuse to order arbitration because the claim subject to arbitration lacks merit or grounds for the claim have not been established. (5) If a proceeding involving a claim referable to arbitration under an alleged agreement to arbitrate is pending in court, a motion under this section must be made in that court. Otherwise, a motion under this section may be made in any court as provided in s. 682.19. (6) If a party makes a motion to the court to order arbitration, the court on just terms shall stay any judicial proceeding that involves a claim alleged to be subject to the arbitration until the court renders a final decision under this section. (7) If the court orders arbitration, the court on just terms shall stay any judicial proceeding that involves a claim subject to the arbitration. If a claim subject to the arbitration is severable, the court may limit the stay to that claim.

F.S. 682.04 Appointment of arbitrators by court.

(1) If the parties to an agreement to arbitrate agree on a method for appointing arbitrators, this method must be followed, unless the method fails. (2) The court, on motion of a party to an arbitration agreement, shall appoint one or more arbitrators, if: (a) The parties have not agreed on a method; (b) The agreed method fails; (c) One or more of the parties failed to respond to the demand for arbitration; or (d) An arbitrator fails to act and a successor has not been appointed. (3) An arbitrator so appointed has all the powers of an arbitrator designated in the agreement to arbitrate appointed pursuant to the agreed method. (4) An individual who has a known, direct, and material interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding or a known, existing, and substantial relationship with a party may not serve as an arbitrator required by an agreement to be neutral.

F.S. 682.05 Majority action by arbitrators.

If there is more than one arbitrator, the powers of an arbitrator must be exercised by a majority of the arbitrators, but all of the arbitrators shall conduct the hearing under s. 682.06(3).

F.S. 682.06 Hearing.

(1) An arbitrator may conduct an arbitration in such manner as the arbitrator considers appropriate for a fair and expeditious disposition of the proceeding. The arbitrator’s authority includes the power to hold conferences with the parties to the arbitration proceeding before the hearing and, among other matters, determine the admissibility, relevance, materiality, and weight of any evidence. (2) An arbitrator may decide a request for summary disposition of a claim or particular issue: (a) If all interested parties agree; or (b) Upon request of one party to the arbitration proceeding, if that party gives notice to all other parties to the proceeding and the other parties have a reasonable opportunity to respond. (3) If an arbitrator orders a hearing, the arbitrator shall set a time and place and give notice of the hearing not less than 5 days before the hearing begins. Unless a party to the arbitration proceeding makes an objection to lack or insufficiency of notice not later than the beginning of the hearing, the party’s appearance at the hearing waives the objection. Upon request of a party to the arbitration proceeding and for good cause shown, or upon the arbitrator’s own initiative, the arbitrator may adjourn the hearing from time to time as necessary, but may not postpone the hearing to a time later than that fixed by the agreement to arbitrate for making the award unless the parties to the arbitration proceeding consent to a later date. The arbitrator may hear and decide the controversy upon the evidence produced although a party who was duly notified of the arbitration proceeding did not appear. The court, on request, may direct the arbitrator to conduct the hearing promptly and render a timely decision. (4) At a hearing under subsection (3), a party to the arbitration proceeding has a right to be heard, to present evidence material to the controversy, and to cross-examine witnesses appearing at the hearing. (5) If an arbitrator ceases or is unable to act during the arbitration proceeding, a replacement arbitrator must be appointed in accordance with s. 682.04 to continue the proceeding and to resolve the controversy.

F.S. 682.07 Representation by attorney.

A party has the right to be represented by an attorney at any arbitration proceeding or hearing under this law.

F.S. 682.08 Witnesses, subpoenas, depositions.

(1) An arbitrator may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness and for the production of records and other evidence at any hearing and may administer oaths. A subpoena must be served in the manner for service of subpoenas in a civil action and, upon motion to the court by a party to the arbitration proceeding or the arbitrator, enforced in the manner for enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action. (2) In order to make the proceedings fair, expeditious, and cost effective, upon request of a party to, or a witness in, an arbitration proceeding, an arbitrator may permit a deposition of any witness to be taken for use as evidence at the hearing, including a witness who cannot be subpoenaed for or is unable to attend a hearing. The arbitrator shall determine the conditions under which the deposition is taken. (3) An arbitrator may permit such discovery as the arbitrator decides is appropriate in the circumstances, taking into account the needs of the parties to the arbitration proceeding and other affected persons and the desirability of making the proceeding fair, expeditious, and cost effective. (4) If an arbitrator permits discovery under subsection (3), the arbitrator may order a party to the arbitration proceeding to comply with the arbitrator’s discovery-related orders, issue subpoenas for the attendance of a witness and for the production of records and other evidence at a discovery proceeding, and take action against a noncomplying party to the extent a court could if the controversy were the subject of a civil action in this state. (5) An arbitrator may issue a protective order to prevent the disclosure of privileged information, confidential information, trade secrets, and other information protected from disclosure to the extent a court could if the controversy were the subject of a civil action in this state. (6) All laws compelling a person under subpoena to testify and all fees for attending a judicial proceeding, a deposition, or a discovery proceeding as a witness apply to an arbitration proceeding as if the controversy were the subject of a civil action in this state. (7) The court may enforce a subpoena or discovery-related order for the attendance of a witness within this state and for the production of records and other evidence issued by an arbitrator in connection with an arbitration proceeding in another state upon conditions determined by the court so as to make the arbitration proceeding fair, expeditious, and cost effective. A subpoena or discovery-related order issued by an arbitrator in another state must be served in the manner provided by law for service of subpoenas in a civil action in this state and, upon motion to the court by a party to the arbitration proceeding or the arbitrator, enforced in the manner provided by law for enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action in this state. (8) Fees for attendance as a witness shall be the same as for a witness in the circuit court.

F.S. 682.09 Award.

(1) An arbitrator shall make a record of an award. The record must be signed or otherwise authenticated by any arbitrator who concurs with the award. The arbitrator or the arbitration organization shall give notice of the award, including a copy of the award, to each party to the arbitration proceeding. (2) An award must be made within the time specified by the agreement to arbitrate or, if not specified therein, within the time ordered by the court. The court may extend, or the parties to the arbitration proceeding may agree in a record to extend, the time. The court or the parties may do so within or after the time specified or ordered. A party waives any objection that an award was not timely made unless the party gives notice of the objection to the arbitrator before receiving notice of the award.

F.S. 682.10 Change of award by arbitrators.

(1) On motion to an arbitrator by a party to an arbitration proceeding, the arbitrator may modify or correct an award: (a) Upon a ground stated in s. 682.14(1)(a) or (c); (b) Because the arbitrator has not made a final and definite award upon a claim submitted by the parties to the arbitration proceeding; or (c) To clarify the award. (2) A motion under subsection (1) must be made and notice given to all parties within 20 days after the movant receives notice of the award. (3) A party to the arbitration proceeding must give notice of any objection to the motion within 10 days after receipt of the notice. (4) If a motion to the court is pending under s. 682.12, s. 682.13, or s. 682.14, the court may submit the claim to the arbitrator to consider whether to modify or correct the award: (a) Upon a ground stated in s. 682.14(1)(a) or (c); (b) Because the arbitrator has not made a final and definite award upon a claim submitted by the parties to the arbitration proceeding; or (c) To clarify the award. (5) An award modified or corrected pursuant to this section is subject to ss. 682.09(1), 682.12, 682.13, and 682.14.

F.S. 682.011 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Arbitration organization” means an association, agency, board, commission, or other entity that is neutral and initiates, sponsors, or administers an arbitration proceeding or is involved in the appointment of an arbitrator. (2) “Arbitrator” means an individual appointed to render an award, alone or with others, in a controversy that is subject to an agreement to arbitrate. (3) “Court” means a court of competent jurisdiction in this state. (4) “Knowledge” means actual knowledge. (5) “Person” means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, or government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; public corporation; or any other legal or commercial entity. (6) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

F.S. 682.11 Remedies; fees and expenses of arbitration proceeding.

(1) An arbitrator may award punitive damages or other exemplary relief if such an award is authorized by law in a civil action involving the same claim and the evidence produced at the hearing justifies the award under the legal standards otherwise applicable to the claim. (2) An arbitrator may award reasonable attorney fees and other reasonable expenses of arbitration if such an award is authorized by law in a civil action involving the same claim or by the agreement of the parties to the arbitration proceeding. (3) As to all remedies other than those authorized by subsections (1) and (2), an arbitrator may order such remedies as the arbitrator considers just and appropriate under the circumstances of the arbitration proceeding. The fact that such a remedy could not or would not be granted by the court is not a ground for refusing to confirm an award under s. 682.12 or for vacating an award under s. 682.13. (4) An arbitrator’s expenses and fees, together with other expenses, must be paid as provided in the award. (5) If an arbitrator awards punitive damages or other exemplary relief under subsection (1), the arbitrator shall specify in the award the basis in fact justifying and the basis in law authorizing the award and state separately the amount of the punitive damages or other exemplary relief.

F.S. 682.012 Notice.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person gives notice to another person by taking action that is reasonably necessary to inform the other person in ordinary course, whether or not the other person acquires knowledge of the notice. (2) A person has notice if the person has knowledge of the notice or has received notice. (3) A person receives notice when it comes to the person’s attention or the notice is delivered at the person’s place of residence or place of business, or at another location held out by the person as a place of delivery of such communications.

F.S. 682.12 Confirmation of an award.

After a party to an arbitration proceeding receives notice of an award, the party may make a motion to the court for an order confirming the award at which time the court shall issue a confirming order unless the award is modified or corrected pursuant to s. 682.10 or s. 682.14 or is vacated pursuant to s. 682.13.

F.S. 682.013 Applicability of revised code.

(1) The Revised Florida Arbitration Code governs an agreement to arbitrate made on or after July 1, 2013. (2) Until June 30, 2016, the Revised Florida Arbitration Code governs an agreement to arbitrate made before July 1, 2013, if all the parties to the agreement or to the arbitration proceeding so agree in a record. Otherwise, such agreements shall be governed by the applicable law existing at the time the parties entered into the agreement. (3) The Revised Florida Arbitration Code does not affect an action or proceeding commenced or right accrued before July 1, 2013. (4) Beginning July 1, 2016, an agreement to arbitrate shall be subject to the Revised Florida Arbitration Code.

F.S. 682.13 Vacating an award.

(1) Upon motion of a party to an arbitration proceeding, the court shall vacate an arbitration award if: (a) The award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means; (b) There was: 1. Evident partiality by an arbitrator appointed as a neutral arbitrator; 2. Corruption by an arbitrator; or 3. Misconduct by an arbitrator prejudicing the rights of a party to the arbitration proceeding; (c) An arbitrator refused to postpone the hearing upon showing of sufficient cause for postponement, refused to hear evidence material to the controversy, or otherwise conducted the hearing contrary to s. 682.06, so as to prejudice substantially the rights of a party to the arbitration proceeding; (d) An arbitrator exceeded the arbitrator’s powers; (e) There was no agreement to arbitrate, unless the person participated in the arbitration proceeding without raising the objection under s. 682.06(3) not later than the beginning of the arbitration hearing; or (f) The arbitration was conducted without proper notice of the initiation of an arbitration as required in s. 682.032 so as to prejudice substantially the rights of a party to the arbitration proceeding. (2) A motion under this section must be filed within 90 days after the movant receives notice of the award pursuant to s. 682.09 or within 90 days after the movant receives notice of a modified or corrected award pursuant to s. 682.10, unless the movant alleges that the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or other undue means, in which case the motion must be made within 90 days after the ground is known or by the exercise of reasonable care would have been known by the movant. (3) If the court vacates an award on a ground other than that set forth in paragraph (1)(e), it may order a rehearing. If the award is vacated on a ground stated in paragraph (1)(a) or paragraph (1)(b), the rehearing must be before a new arbitrator. If the award is vacated on a ground stated in paragraph (1)(c), paragraph (1)(d), or paragraph (1)(f), the rehearing may be before the arbitrator who made the award or the arbitrator’s successor. The arbitrator must render the decision in the rehearing within the same time as that provided in s. 682.09(2) for an award. (4) If a motion to vacate is denied and no motion to modify or correct the award is pending, the court shall confirm the award.

F.S. 682.14 Modification or correction of award.

(1) Upon motion made within 90 days after the movant receives notice of the award pursuant to s. 682.09 or within 90 days after the movant receives notice of a modified or corrected award pursuant to s. 682.10, the court shall modify or correct the award if: (a) There is an evident miscalculation of figures or an evident mistake in the description of any person, thing, or property referred to in the award. (b) The arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not submitted in the arbitration and the award may be corrected without affecting the merits of the decision upon the issues submitted. (c) The award is imperfect as a matter of form, not affecting the merits of the controversy. (2) If the motion is granted, the court shall modify and correct the award and confirm the award as so modified and corrected. Otherwise, unless a motion to vacate the award under s. 682.13 is pending, the court shall confirm the award as made. (3) A motion to modify or correct an award may be joined in the alternative with a motion to vacate the award under s. 682.13.

F.S. 682.014 Effect of agreement to arbitrate; nonwaivable provisions.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) and (3), a party to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding may waive, or the parties may vary the effect of, the requirements of this chapter to the extent permitted by law. (2) Before a controversy arises that is subject to an agreement to arbitrate, a party to the agreement may not: (a) Waive or agree to vary the effect of the requirements of: 1. Commencing a petition for judicial relief under s. 682.015(1); 2. Making agreements to arbitrate valid, enforceable, and irrevocable under s. 682.02(1); 3. Permitting provisional remedies under s. 682.031; 4. Conferring authority on arbitrators to issue subpoenas and permit depositions under s. 682.08(1) or (2); 5. Conferring jurisdiction under s. 682.181; or 6. Stating the bases for appeal under s. 682.20; (b) Agree to unreasonably restrict the right under s. 682.032 to notice of the initiation of an arbitration proceeding; (c) Agree to unreasonably restrict the right under s. 682.041 to disclosure of any facts by a neutral arbitrator; or (d) Waive the right under s. 682.07 of a party to an agreement to arbitrate to be represented by an attorney at any proceeding or hearing under this chapter, but an employer and a labor organization may waive the right to representation by an attorney in a labor arbitration. (3) A party to an agreement to arbitrate or arbitration proceeding may not waive, or the parties may not vary the effect of, the requirements in this section or: (a) The applicability of this chapter, the Revised Florida Arbitration Code, under s. 682.013(1) or (4); (b) The availability of proceedings to compel or stay arbitration under s. 682.03; (c) The immunity conferred on arbitrators and arbitration organizations under s. 682.051; (d) A party’s right to seek judicial enforcement of an arbitration preaward ruling under s. 682.081; (e) The authority conferred on an arbitrator to change an award under s. 682.10(4) or (5); (f) The right to confirmation of an award as provided under s. 682.12; (g) The grounds for vacating an arbitration award under s. 682.13; (h) The grounds for modifying an arbitration award under s. 682.14; (i) The validity and enforceability of a judgment or decree based on an award under s. 682.15(1) or (2); (j) The validity of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act under s. 682.23; or (k) The effect of excluding from arbitration under this chapter disputes involving child custody, visitation, or child support under s. 682.25.

F.S. 682.15 Judgment or decree on award.

(1) Upon granting an order confirming, vacating without directing a rehearing, modifying, or correcting an award, the court shall enter a judgment in conformity therewith. The judgment may be recorded, docketed, and enforced as any other judgment in a civil action. (2) A court may allow reasonable costs of the motion and subsequent judicial proceedings. (3) On motion of a prevailing party to a contested judicial proceeding under s. 682.12, s. 682.13, or s. 682.14, the court may add reasonable attorney fees and other reasonable expenses of litigation incurred in a judicial proceeding after the award is made to a judgment confirming, vacating without directing a rehearing, modifying, or correcting an award.

F.S. 682.015 Petition for judicial relief.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in s. 682.20, a petition for judicial relief under this chapter must be made to the court and heard in the manner provided by law or rule of court for making and hearing motions. (2) Unless a civil action involving the agreement to arbitrate is pending, notice of an initial petition to the court under this chapter must be served in the manner provided by law for the service of a summons in a civil action. Otherwise, notice of the motion must be given in the manner provided by law or rule of court for serving motions in pending cases.

F.S. 682.19 Venue.

A petition pursuant to s. 682.015 must be filed in the court of the county in which the agreement to arbitrate specifies the arbitration hearing is to be held or, if the hearing has been held, in the court of the county in which it was held. Otherwise, the petition may be made in the court of any county in which an adverse party resides or has a place of business or, if no adverse party has a residence or place of business in this state, in the court of any county in this state. All subsequent petitions must be made in the court hearing the initial petition unless the court otherwise directs.

F.S. 682.20 Appeals.

(1) An appeal may be taken from: (a) An order denying a motion to compel arbitration made under s. 682.03. (b) An order granting a motion to stay arbitration pursuant to s. 682.03(2)-(4). (c) An order confirming an award. (d) An order denying confirmation of an award unless the court has entered an order under s. 682.10(4) or s. 682.13. All other orders denying confirmation of an award are final orders. (e) An order modifying or correcting an award. (f) An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing. (g) A judgment or decree entered pursuant to this chapter. (2) The appeal shall be taken in the manner and to the same extent as from orders or judgments in a civil action.

F.S. 682.23 Relationship to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act.

The provisions of this chapter governing the legal effect, validity, and enforceability of electronic records or electronic signatures and of contracts performed with the use of such records or signatures conform to the requirements of s. 102 of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. s. 7002.

F.S. 682.25 Disputes excluded.

This chapter does not apply to any dispute involving child custody, visitation, or child support.

F.S. 682.031 Provisional remedies.

(1) Before an arbitrator is appointed and is authorized and able to act, the court, upon motion of a party to an arbitration proceeding and for good cause shown, may enter an order for provisional remedies to protect the effectiveness of the arbitration proceeding to the same extent and under the same conditions as if the controversy were the subject of a civil action. (2) After an arbitrator is appointed and is authorized and able to act: (a) The arbitrator may issue such orders for provisional remedies, including interim awards, as the arbitrator finds necessary to protect the effectiveness of the arbitration proceeding and to promote the fair and expeditious resolution of the controversy, to the same extent and under the same conditions as if the controversy were the subject of a civil action. (b) A party to an arbitration proceeding may move the court for a provisional remedy only if the matter is urgent and the arbitrator is not able to act timely or the arbitrator cannot provide an adequate remedy. (3) A party does not waive a right of arbitration by making a motion under this section. (4) If an arbitrator awards a provisional remedy for injunctive or equitable relief, the arbitrator shall state in the award the factual findings and legal basis for the award. (5) A party may seek to confirm or vacate a provisional remedy award for injunctive or equitable relief under s. 682.081.

F.S. 682.032 Initiation of arbitration.

(1) A person initiates an arbitration proceeding by giving notice in a record to the other parties to the agreement to arbitrate in the agreed manner between the parties or, in the absence of agreement, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and obtained, or by service as authorized for the commencement of a civil action. The notice must describe the nature of the controversy and the remedy sought. (2) Unless a person objects for lack or insufficiency of notice under s. 682.06(3) not later than the beginning of the arbitration hearing, the person by appearing at the hearing waives any objection to lack of or insufficiency of notice.

F.S. 682.033 Consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings.

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), upon motion of a party to an agreement to arbitrate or to an arbitration proceeding, the court may order consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings as to all or some of the claims if: (a) There are separate agreements to arbitrate or separate arbitration proceedings between the same persons or one of them is a party to a separate agreement to arbitrate or a separate arbitration proceeding with a third person; (b) The claims subject to the agreements to arbitrate arise in substantial part from the same transaction or series of related transactions; (c) The existence of a common issue of law or fact creates the possibility of conflicting decisions in the separate arbitration proceedings; and (d) Prejudice resulting from a failure to consolidate is not outweighed by the risk of undue delay or prejudice to the rights of or hardship to parties opposing consolidation. (2) The court may order consolidation of separate arbitration proceedings as to some claims and allow other claims to be resolved in separate arbitration proceedings. (3) The court may not order consolidation of the claims of a party to an agreement to arbitrate if the agreement prohibits consolidation. Nothing in this section is intended or shall be construed to affect commencing, maintaining, or certifying a claim or defense on behalf of a class or as a class action.

F.S. 682.041 Disclosure by arbitrator.

(1) Before accepting appointment, an individual who is requested to serve as an arbitrator, after making a reasonable inquiry, shall disclose to all parties to the agreement to arbitrate and arbitration proceeding and to any other arbitrators any known facts that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the person’s impartiality as an arbitrator in the arbitration proceeding, including: (a) A financial or personal interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding. (b) An existing or past relationship with any of the parties to the agreement to arbitrate or the arbitration proceeding, their counsel or representative, a witness, or another arbitrator. (2) An arbitrator has a continuing obligation to disclose to all parties to the agreement to arbitrate and arbitration proceeding and to any other arbitrators any facts that the arbitrator learns after accepting appointment that a reasonable person would consider likely to affect the impartiality of the arbitrator. (3) If an arbitrator discloses a fact required by subsection (1) or subsection (2) to be disclosed and a party timely objects to the appointment or continued service of the arbitrator based upon the fact disclosed, the objection may be a ground under s. 682.13(1)(b) for vacating an award made by the arbitrator. (4) If the arbitrator did not disclose a fact as required by subsection (1) or subsection (2), upon timely objection by a party, the court may vacate an award under s. 682.13(1)(b). (5) An arbitrator appointed as a neutral arbitrator who does not disclose a known, direct, and material interest in the outcome of the arbitration proceeding or a known, existing, and substantial relationship with a party is presumed to act with evident partiality under s. 682.13(1)(b). (6) If the parties to an arbitration proceeding agree to the procedures of an arbitration organization or any other procedures for challenges to arbitrators before an award is made, substantial compliance with those procedures is a condition precedent to a motion to vacate an award on that ground under s. 682.13(1)(b).

F.S. 682.051 Immunity of arbitrator; competency to testify; attorney fees and costs.

(1) An arbitrator or an arbitration organization acting in that capacity is immune from civil liability to the same extent as a judge of a court of this state acting in a judicial capacity. (2) The immunity afforded under this section supplements any immunity under other law. (3) The failure of an arbitrator to make a disclosure required by s. 682.041 does not cause any loss of immunity under this section. (4) In a judicial, administrative, or similar proceeding, an arbitrator or representative of an arbitration organization is not competent to testify, and may not be required to produce records as to any statement, conduct, decision, or ruling occurring during the arbitration proceeding, to the same extent as a judge of a court of this state acting in a judicial capacity. This subsection does not apply: (a) To the extent necessary to determine the claim of an arbitrator, arbitration organization, or representative of the arbitration organization against a party to the arbitration proceeding; or (b) To a hearing on a motion to vacate an award under s. 682.13(1)(a) or (b) if the movant establishes prima facie that a ground for vacating the award exists. (5) If a person commences a civil action against an arbitrator, arbitration organization, or representative of an arbitration organization arising from the services of the arbitrator, organization, or representative or if a person seeks to compel an arbitrator or a representative of an arbitration organization to testify or produce records in violation of subsection (4), and the court decides that the arbitrator, arbitration organization, or representative of an arbitration organization is immune from civil liability or that the arbitrator or representative of the organization is not competent to testify, the court shall award to the arbitrator, organization, or representative reasonable attorney fees and other reasonable expenses of litigation.

F.S. 682.081 Judicial enforcement of preaward ruling by arbitrator.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), if an arbitrator makes a preaward ruling in favor of a party to the arbitration proceeding, the party may request that the arbitrator incorporate the ruling into an award under s. 682.12. A prevailing party may make a motion to the court for an expedited order to confirm the award under s. 682.12, in which case the court shall summarily decide the motion. The court shall issue an order to confirm the award unless the court vacates, modifies, or corrects the award under s. 682.13 or s. 682.14. (2) A party to a provisional remedy award for injunctive or equitable relief may make a motion to the court seeking to confirm or vacate the provisional remedy award. (a) The court shall confirm a provisional remedy award for injunctive or equitable relief if the award satisfies the legal standards for awarding a party injunctive or equitable relief. (b) The court shall vacate a provisional remedy award for injunctive or equitable relief which fails to satisfy the legal standards for awarding a party injunctive or equitable relief.

F.S. 682.181 Jurisdiction.

(1) A court of this state having jurisdiction over the controversy and the parties may enforce an agreement to arbitrate. (2) An agreement to arbitrate providing for arbitration in this state confers exclusive jurisdiction on the court to enter judgment on an award under this chapter.

Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter682/AllFetched: 7/8/2026