(1) No party or other person directly or indirectly interested in an arbitration proceeding nor anyone authorized to act on behalf of a party or other interested person shall communicate ex parte with an arbitrator or nominee relative to the merits of the arbitration proceeding, threaten an arbitrator or nominee, or offer an arbitrator or nominee any reward.
    (2) An arbitrator or nominee who becomes aware of a violation of this rule shall recite the circumstances in a memorandum, attaching any offending written communication, and file the memorandum as promptly as circumstances permit, simultaneously serving all parties and other arbitrators.
    (3) The chief arbitrator may order any reasonable sanctions for violation of this rule, including an award of costs and fees occasioned by the violation, and forfeiture of an arbitrator’s compensation. The Director may, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, remove an arbitrator for failure to comply with this rule.
Specific Authority 766.207(9), (10) FS. Law Implemented 766.201-.212 FS. History-New 9-6-88, Formerly 22I-7.008, Amended 6-27-00.