(a)Selection. The court shall develop and maintain a list of qualified arbitrators, which shall be a public record. The parties may file a stipulation identifying their mutual selection as an arbitrator from the court's list within thirty (30) days from the date the action is submitted to the court for arbitration and the initial fees have been paid. If the parties do not select an arbitrator within thirty (30) days, the court shall provide each party with an identical list of five (5) candidates from which they may strike no more than two (2) names, and which shall be returned to the Arbitration Office within fifteen (15) days. If one (1) mutually satisfactory name remains, that individual shall be appointed as the arbitrator. If more than one (1) name on the list is acceptable to both parties, the remaining candidate whose surname comes first alphabetically shall be appointed. Failure of a party to return the list within the required time will result in the court appointing from the list of qualified arbitrators, and thereafter, any substitution of arbitrators shall only be made upon written motion, duly filed.(b)Eligibility for the Panel of Arbitrators. An arbitrator shall have been a member of the Rhode Island Bar in good standing for at least ten (10) years and must be approved by the court for such service, provided, however, that the presiding justice may approve a prospective arbitrator with less than ten (10) years of membership in the Rhode Island Bar, who is otherwise qualified. Each attorney wishing to serve as an arbitrator shall participate in an orientation and training session on the program and the role of an arbitrator. The court shall oversee the preparation of a manual outlining selection criteria and describing for arbitrators their role and functions in the program. (c)Fees and Expenses. Arbitrators shall be paid for their services (including but not limited to preparation, hearing, reasonable expenses, and rendering of an award or decision) at the rate of $400.00 per case. Arbitrators shall be paid promptly when they file their awards with the court. Arbitrators may petition the court and on a showing of good cause may be granted an increased fee in cases lasting longer than a day. (d)Disqualification. An arbitrator shall disclose to the parties any circumstances likely to affect impartiality, including any bias or any financial or personal interest in the result of the arbitration or any past or present relationship with the parties or their attorney and shall be disqualified on the motion of any party to the arbitrator.(e)Replacement of Arbitrator. If any arbitrator is disqualified or unable or unwilling to serve, a replacement shall be appointed by the court within ten (10) days.(f)Duties of Arbitrators. In addition to the provisions and duties specifically assigned by these Arbitration rRules, arbitrators shall abide by all administrative directives promulgated by the presiding justice to ensure the timely adjudication and conclusion of hearings. This obligation shall include, but not be limited to, reporting the status of pending cases to the arbitration office on the Report of Arbitrator form, every sixty (60) days from their designation or appointment and/or to provide to the Arbitration Office any original dismissal stipulation or settlement agreement which may arise as a result of the Arbitration process. The Report of Arbitrator shall be submitted in a timely manner to receive payment for services. The most current version of the Report of Arbitrator is located on the Judiciary's website at www.courts.ri.gov under the heading of Public Resources, Forms.