Rule 1302 - Arbitrators, Panels And Boards(a) Selection of Panels of Arbitrators. The Arbitration Committee of the York County Bar Association shall annually, prior to December 1, receive applications from members of the York County Bar Association with offices in York County who are interested in serving as arbitrators. The Committee shall formulate a list of attorneys to serve as arbitrators.(1) For the first year, the Committee shall select fifty (50) attorneys. Each year thereafter, the Committee shall select twenty-five (25) attorneys plus an additional attorney for each vacancy on the Arbitration Panel for the next year. The Committee shall send the list to the Court by December 31.(2) The first year, the Court shall select thirty-six (36) attorneys to act as arbitrators. Each year thereafter, the Court shall select eighteen (18) attorneys to act as arbitrators, plus the number of attorneys necessary to fulfill vacancies in the panel for the next year.(3) The Court shall enter an Order by January 15 appointing the attorneys selected as arbitrators.(4) An arbitrator shall be appointed for a two year term, (or for a one year term for the first year of appointment as provided below), and shall begin the term April 1.(b) Boards. (1) The Committee shall create from the list of arbitrators, twelve (12) boards of three arbitrators each, with one arbitrator meeting the requirements of Pa.R.C.P. No. 1302 selected as Chairperson of each board. The Committee shall consider the experience and expertise of the individual arbitrators in the organization of the boards. Not more than one member of a law firm or association of attorneys shall be appointed to the same board(2) The first year, eighteen (18) arbitrators shall serve for one year and eighteen (18) arbitrators shall serve for two years. Thereafter, arbitrators shall serve two year terms, with half of the arbitrators revolving off the panel in alternate years.(3) An arbitrator may serve for one term and shall not be eligible to serve again until after a one year absence from the arbitration panel.(4) Each Board of Arbitrators shall sit for one week. The District Court Administrator shall designate one week during each calendar month during which arbitration hearings shall be held and the room in which the hearings shall be held. The arbitration schedule shall be included in the Court calendar.(c) Conflicts. An arbitrator shall disqualify himself or herself from service when he or she determines that he or she is related by blood or marriage to any party to the case or attorney of record; or is or has, within the past year, been a law partner or associate of any attorney of record in the case; or represents a party or a party's insurance carrier in other matters. In case of such a disqualification, another member of the panel can substitute for the disqualified arbitrator, or the arbitration hearing can proceed with two arbitrators.(d) Substitution of Arbitrators. In the event that an arbitrator cannot serve due to a conflict or illness or for any reason, the arbitrator may be replaced by any member of the Arbitration Panel willing to so serve. The replacement arbitrator shall be obtained by the arbitrator who cannot serve of if the arbitrator who cannot serve is unable to obtain a replacement, then by the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall give written notice to Court Administration of the substitution. The compensation of the replacement arbitrator shall be adjusted from the compensation of the replaced arbitrator, as agreed between the two arbitrators. The Chairperson shall designate the compensation to be paid to the arbitrator who cannot serve and the replacement arbitrator and the Prothonotary shall pay the arbitrators pursuant to that designation by the Chairperson. The District Court Administrator shall maintain a list of all instances of failure to serve as arbitrator and provide such list to the Arbitration Committee annually.(e) Arbitrators to Report to District Court Administrator and Arbitration Committee. The Arbitration Chairpersons shall report in writing to the District Court Administrator and to the Arbitration Committee the number of cases scheduled, the number continued, the number settled without hearing, the number heard, and any other pertinent information relating to scheduling or other suggestions regarding the process.Amended effective through 8/1/2023.