Rule 1302 - Selection Of Arbitrators Appointment Of Board, Oath, And Compensation1. The Arbitration List herein referred to shall be kept and maintained by the prothonotary.2.(a) The prothonotary shall keep Three (3) separate lists of attorneys qualified to serve as arbitrators in Jefferson County as follows: Class A-Attorneys with over 15 years membership in the Jefferson County Bar Association
Class B--Attorneys with 7 to 15 years membership in the Jefferson County Bar Association
Class C--Attorneys with 1 to 7 years membership in the Jefferson County Bar Association
(b) Within ten (10) days after a case is placed on the Arbitration List, the prothonotary shall forthwith nominate five names as follows; two (2) names from the Class A List, two (2) names from the Class B List, and one (1) name from the Class C List. The prothonotary shall, if necessary, nominate an additional name for each additional party with an adverse interest in the case.(c) The prothonotary shall thereupon notify counsel for said parties of said nominations. Each party shall thereupon appear at the office of the prothonotary within five (5) days and strike off one name from the listed nominated, and if any party fails to exercise his right to strike off a name within the time stated, the prothonotary shall strike off any excess names after the first three nominated. The remaining three shall comprise the Board of Arbitration and they shall be so appointed.3. The prothonotary shall make the nominations of arbitrators from each list of the members of the Bar of Jefferson County, and such nominations shall be made from such lists as set forth above, except where a particular attorney is excused by the court on account of incapacity or illness. Not more than one (1) member of a firm or association of attorneys shall be appointed to the same board, nor shall any attorney be appointed who is associated with, or who maintains a common office, in whole or in part, with any counsel of record. The first member appointed shall be the chairman of the board. Immediately after appointment of the Board of Arbitrators the prothonotary shall notify them in writing of their appointment and shall notify counsel of record. In case any attorney is disqualified, or fails to act, the prothonotary, on praecipe of counsel, shall appoint the next attorney on the same class list to fill such vacancy. Any attorney disqualified or stricken off in a case shall be put at the head of the list of attorneys available for the next case.4. The arbitrators shall be sworn or affirmed to justly and equitably try all matters submitted to them. The oath may be administered by any person authorized to administer oaths.5.(a) Each member of a Board of Arbitrators, who has signed a report or files a minority report, shall receive as compensation for services a fee of Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars for cases involving three (3) hours or less, plus Fifty ($50.00) Dollars for each hour over three (3) hours of hearing time. (Companion cases heard together count as one for purposes of this rule.)(b) The chairman shall receive as compensation for the duties as chairman an additional sum of Fifty ($50.00) Dollars, notwithstanding that a case be settled or discontinued after a time for hearing has been fixed, but before the hearing is held.(c) In cases involving unusual complexity, the court, on petition of the members of the board and for cause shown, may allow additional compensation.(d) Compensation shall be paid by the County of Jefferson upon a voucher, approved for payment by the prothonotary; provided, however, that in making payment of such compensation, the county shall pay to the treasurer of the Jefferson County Bar Association Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars of the compensation otherwise due an arbitrator for services rendered in a particular case.Adopted Jan. 1, 1985, effective 4/1/1985; Amended effective 5/15/1997.