Rule 7-1.02 - Appointment, Qualification and Compensation of Arbitrators (Supreme Court Rule 87)A. All retired judges - licensed to practice in Illinois shall be eligible as arbitrators upon filing the appropriate form with the Arbitration Administrator.B. All attorneys licensed in Illinois who reside in, maintain offices in, or practice in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, shall be eligible for appointment as arbitrators by filing the appropriate form with the Arbitration Administrator. Panel members must certify that they have engaged in the active practice of law for a minimum of two years within the five years immediately preceding the filing of the application. Eligible arbitration panel members shall be certified by attending The Arbitration Seminar prior to active service on an arbitration panel.C. The Arbitration Administrator shall maintain a list of approved arbitrators. These arbitrators will be called for service on a random, rotating basis. The list shall identify those arbitrators who are approved to serve as chairpersons. Every panel of arbitrators shall be chaired by a member of the bar who has been engaged in trial practice for at least five years within the preceding ten years of the filing of the application, or a retired Judge. Except for emergency calls, Notice of the date set for arbitration shall be provided to the arbitrators not less than forty-five days prior to the scheduled date. Each panel will consist of three arbitrators, or such lesser number as may be agreed upon in writing by the parties. The eligibility of each attorney to serve as arbitrators may, from time to time, be reviewed by the Arbitration Administrator and determined by the Supervising Judge of Arbitration.D. Not more than one member or associate of a firm, office or association of attorneys shall be appointed to the same panel. Upon appointment to the case, an arbitrator shall notify the Court and withdraw from the case if any grounds appear to exist for disqualification pursuant to Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.E. Each arbitrator shall take an oath of office in conformity with the form provided in Supreme Court Rule 94. In addition, an arbitrator may not be contacted, nor publicly comment, nor respond to questions regarding a particular arbitration case heard by that arbitrator during the pendency of that case and until a final Order is entered and the time for appeal has expired.F. Upon completion of each day's arbitration proceedings, the Arbitration Administrator will process the necessary voucher through the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts for payment of the arbitrators. Each arbitrator will be compensated in accordance with the requirements of the Supreme Court Rules.Ill. R. Cir. Ct. Lake Cnty. 7-1.02
Amended effective 7/1/2017; amended effective 1/23/2024.