Rule 703 - Processing Requests for Arbitration(a) Proceedings before the panel shall be initiated by a written petition and an arbitration agreement, on a form approved by the Idaho State Bar, signed by the petitioner and filed with the Office of the Idaho State Bar, P. O. Box 895, Boise, ID 83701.(b)* Upon receipt of the petition and arbitration agreement, signed by the petitioner, the Idaho State Bar shall send a copy of the petitioner's allegations to all other parties to the attorney-client fee agreement, together with a request for their consent to binding arbitration. If a client refuses or fails to consent to arbitration within twenty-one (21) days of his or her receipt of an arbitration request, the matter will be deemed closed due to lack of agreement and both parties shall be notified. In all cases in which a client has filed a fee arbitration petition, even those where an attorney refuses or fails to be bound by arbitration within twenty-one (21) days of his or her receipt of an arbitration request, a mediator shall be appointed by the Idaho State Bar who shall be a member of the Idaho State Bar in good standing to attempt to resolve the fee dispute through non-binding mediation. *(Section (b) amended 2-13-92 - Effective 7-1-92 and amended 3-17-05 - Effective 7-1-05)
(c)* In cases where the attorney refuses or fails to be bound by arbitration, and mediation is unsuccessful, no further action shall be taken by the Idaho State Bar and the client and attorney shall be left to their respective civil remedies.Rule 703 amended 3/15/1991; Section (b) and (c) amended 2/13/1992; Effective 7/1/1992; amended 6/10/1998; Effective 7/1/1998; and amended 3/17/2005; Effective 7/1/2005.