Members Present:
Ivan Luxenberg (Chair)
Eric Grossman
George Kanellakos
Nestor Kostyniuk
Stanley Pasternak |
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Attendees: FSCO
David Draper
Susan Sapin
John Lobo
Margaret Orlander
Nicole Tedesco |
Approval of Minutes – Meeting of January 27, 2006
The Minutes were approved as submitted.
Business Arising from Minutes
None.
Auto Insurance Reform Update - Margaret Orlander
Nothing new to report.
DRS Statistics – Mediation - John Lobo
As we are expecting an increase in applications for mediation as a result of the March 01, reg changes, intake will be more closely monitored over the next couple of months.
Administrative Closures: 40 out of the 67 closures as a result of no issues being in dispute.
Mediation Results: Full settlements down to 33% in February while Partials rose to 21%.
Arbitration – Status and Statistics - Susan Sapin
Applications for Arbitration continue to increase and pre-hearings cannot be scheduled within the promised 6-8 weeks from date of Application. Regarding “old decisions”, it was mentioned that fewer decisions are now in typing and ready to be sent out to parties.
Senior Arbitrators seem to be tougher on adjournment requests.
The Arbitration Unit has concluded the Arbitrator competition and 3 new arbitrators have been chosen. The Arbitration Unit has reached its full FTE compliment.
DRS Statistics - Appeals and Judicial Review- David Draper
Nothing new to report. Outstanding judicial review decisions were noted and discussed.
DRS Operational Changes and Update
Staffing:
Executive Director hired. David Draper to invite the new ED Auto, Penny Dutton, to the next Counsel Forum meeting.
Website:
Fillable forms will be in Word.
Other Business:
David to draft a letter to be sent to firms/lawyers active in DR to encourage their participation in Counsel Forum. It might also go to groups like OTLA, etc. To be reviewed by Ivan.
Ivan Luxenberg to resign as Chair. There will be a new appointed Chair - name to be determined soon?
Next Meeting: Friday May 26, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.