The Florida Senate

684.19  Awards.--

(1)  The arbitral tribunal shall issue its final award within such time as is specified by the parties in writing or, in the absence of such specification, within such time as the tribunal determines appropriate. In addition to a final award, a tribunal may issue interim, interlocutory, or partial awards. Each award shall be in writing, shall state the date and place of issuance, and shall be signed prior to issuance by each member of the tribunal unless, in the case of a tribunal consisting of more than one member, the award is signed by a majority of the members and an explanation for each missing signature is given. Members' signatures need not be affixed at the place of arbitration.

(2)  The arbitral tribunal shall deliver, either personally or by registered or certified mail, a signed counterpart of the award to each party to the arbitration, unless such delivery proves impossible after efforts reasonably designed to assure actual delivery.

(3)  A written statement of the reasons for an award shall be issued only if all parties agree to the issuance thereof or the tribunal determines that a failure to do so could prejudice recognition or enforcement of the award. An award may be made public by the tribunal or by a party only if:

(a)  All parties to the arbitration consent thereto in writing;

(b)  Disclosure is required by law; or

(c)  Disclosure is necessary in connection with any judicial or other official proceeding concerning the award.

(4)  The arbitral tribunal may award reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred, including, without limitation, fees and expenses of legal counsel, to any party to the arbitration and shall allocate the costs of the arbitration among the parties as it determines appropriate.

History.--s. 1, ch. 86-266; s. 1, ch. 94-72.