Rule 21
Standards of Conduct, Decertification and Discipline of Neutrals

(a)  Standards of Conduct for Mediators. Any person serving as a mediator, whether certified or not, shall comply with the Standards of Conduct for Mediators, which is attached as Appendix B to these rules.

(b)  Standards of Conduct for Arbitrators. Any person serving as an arbitrator, whether certified or not, shall comply with the Code of Ethics for Arbitrators, which is attached as Appendix A to these rules.

(c)  Decertification of Neutrals. Certification under Rule 19 may be revoked at any time if it is shown that the neutral no longer meets the requirements to be certified under Rule 19 or that the neutral has failed to faithfully observe these rules, the ethical standards of Rules 21(a) or (b), or has engaged in any conduct showing an unfitness to serve as a neutral.

(d)  Discipline of Neutrals.A neutral who violates these rules, the ethical standards of Rules 21(a) or (b), or who has engaged in any conduct showing an unfitness to serve as a neutral may, in addition to decertification under Rule 21(c), be subject to discipline by the Supreme Court. This discipline may include any sanction the Supreme Court determines is appropriate, to include an order publicly reprimanding the neutral for the conduct, an order barring the neutral from serving as a neutral in any court of this State for a definite or indefinite period of time, an order requiring the neutral to complete additional training, and/or the assessment of a fine. The fact that discipline is taken against an attorney under this Rule shall not preclude action against the attorney under Rule 413, SCACR, if the conduct is misconduct under that rule. The fact that discipline is taken under this Rule against a licensed professional shall not preclude action against the professional under the rules or statutes governing that profession, if the conduct is misconduct under that rule or statute.

(e)  Processing Complaints of Misconduct by Neutrals. Persons alleging that a neutral has engaged in misconduct may file a complaint with the Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification. Misconduct includes any conduct or other circumstances that would warrant decertification or discipline under Rule 21(c) or (d). Complaints of misconduct shall be investigated by the Board and, upon a finding of probable cause, forwarded to the Commission on Alternate Dispute Resolution for a hearing before a Hearing Panel consisting of three (3) members of the Commission. Subject to the requirements of Rule 422(d), SCACR, the Commission shall promulgate regulations governing the processing of these complaints.

Last amended by Order dated June 3, 2015.