Dispute Resolution Services

If the mediation or arbitration is cancelled with less than seven (7) calendar days notice to the mediator/arbitrator, a 2-hour minimum charge will apply.

1.  Division of Fees: Unless the parties agree otherwise or there is a case-specific court order to the contrary, mediation fees are split evenly per side (e.g., 50% for all plaintiffs among them and 50% among all defendants among them).  
2. Payment of Fees: Payment must be made directly to the Mediator and is due upon conclusion of the Mediation Conference.  The payment of mediation fees is not conditioned upon receipt of settlement funds, and payment must be made within fifteen (15) days of service of the invoice. 
3. Mediation Conferences:  Fees are charged in 1/2-hour increments with a 2-hour minimum for mediation conferences.
4. Parties Represented by Counsel:  Attorneys representing parties shall be considered guarantors for payment of their clients’ fees. If the attorney does not agree to guarantee payment by the attorney’s client, the attorney must notify the Mediator immediately as the Mediator may decline to proceed. 

1.  Division of Fees: Unless the parties agree otherwise or there is a case-specific court order to the contrary, arbitration fees are split evenly per side (e.g., 50% for all plaintiffs among them and 50% among all defendants among them).  
2. Payment of Fees: Payment must be made directly to the Arbitrator and is due upon service of the Arbitration Decision.  Payment must be made within fifteen (15) days of service of the invoice. 
3. Pre- and Post-Hearing Study/Deliberation Time:   Fees are charged in 1/10-hour increments for all time spent in pre-hearing conferences, making decisions on pre-hearing motions/issues, and post-hearing study, deliberation, and award-drafting/revision. 
4. Arbitration Hearings:  Fees are charged in 1/2-hour increments with a 2-hour minimum for hearings.
5. Parties Represented by Counsel:  Attorneys representing parties shall be considered guarantors for payment of their clients’ fees. If the attorney does not agree to guarantee payment by the attorney’s client, the attorney must notify the Arbitrator immediately as the Arbitrator may decline to proceed. 

1.  Travel Time for In-Person Conferences:  No charge for travel to Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sumter, or Polk Counties.  Time for travel to all other Florida counties will be billed at actual travel time required at the standard hourly rate for the service provided.
2. Conference Room Charges for In-Person Conferences:  Actual charges incurred by the mediator/arbitrator will initially be paid by Nature Coast Mediation & Arbitration and included as a cost on the final invoice for services (divided among the parties as appropriate).  There will be no charge for conference rooms used at the office of Nature Coast Mediation & Arbitration or at the offices of counsel for the parties.
3. Administrative Charges:  None.