Case Title: In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, Florida Rules of Traffic Court, Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC21-1049

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2021-10-28T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC21-1049 
____________ 
 
IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL 
PROCEDURE, FLORIDA RULES OF GENERAL PRACTICE AND 
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION, FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL 
PROCEDURE, FLORIDA PROBATE RULES, FLORIDA RULES OF 
TRAFFIC COURT, FLORIDA SMALL CLAIMS RULES, FLORIDA 
RULES OF JUVENILE PROCEDURE, FLORIDA RULES OF 
APPELLATE PROCEDURE, AND FLORIDA FAMILY LAW RULES 
OF PROCEDURE. 
 
October 28, 2021 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
Before the Court is the Joint Report on Correction of 
References to the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration filed by The Florida Bar’s Rules of Court Committees 
(Committees) proposing amendments to several rules of procedure 
used in Florida Courts.1  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), 
Fla. Const.  See also Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.140(b)(1).   
 
1.  The joint report was filed by the following committees:  the 
Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, the Rules of General Practice 
and Judicial Administration Committee, the Criminal Procedure 
Rules Committee, the Probate Rules Committee, the Traffic Court 
- 2 - 
 
Recently, in In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Judicial 
Administration—2020 Regular-Cycle Report, 310 So. 3d 374 (Fla. 
2021), the Court amended Florida Rule of General Practice and 
Judicial Administration 2.110 (Scope and Purpose) to change the 
title of the “Florida Rules of Judicial Administration” to “Florida 
Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.”  Id. at 375-
76.  The Court made this change to emphasize to all Bar members 
that such rules are relevant not just to judges, but to those engaged 
in the day-to-day practice of law as well.  Id. at 376.  
 
To ensure the title is accurately referenced throughout the 
Florida rules of court procedure, the Committees propose amending 
several bodies of rules to replace references to the “Florida Rules of 
Judicial Administration” with the “Florida Rules of General Practice 
and Judicial Administration.”  The Board of Governors of The 
Florida Bar unanimously approved the Committees’ proposal. 
 
 
Rules Committee, the Small Claims Rules Committee, the Juvenile 
Court Rules Committee, the Appellate Court Rules Committee, and 
the Family Law Rules Committee. 
- 3 - 
 
 
Upon consideration of these straightforward amendments, the 
Court hereby amends various Florida rules of court procedure as 
proposed by the Committees, except that it declines, in this 
proceeding, to adopt the proposed amendments to Florida Rules of 
Civil Procedure 1.280 (General Provisions Governing Discovery) and 
1.340 (Interrogatories to Parties), because the needed revisions have 
already been made by our recent decision in In re Amendments to 
Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.280 & 1.340, No. SC21-120 (Fla. 
Oct. 7, 2021). 
 
Accordingly, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules 
of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Florida Rules of 
Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, Florida Rules of Traffic 
Court, Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules of Juvenile 
Procedure, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Florida Family 
Law Rules of Procedure are amended as set forth in the appendix to 
this opinion.  New language is indicated by underscoring, and 
deletions are indicated by struck-through type.  The Florida Family 
Law Rules of Procedure forms are fully engrossed and ready to use; 
these forms may be accessed and downloaded from the Florida 
Courts website at https://www.flcourts.org/Resources-
- 4 - 
 
Services/Court-Improvement/Family-Courts/Family-Law-
Forms.  By adoption of the amended family law forms, we express 
no opinion as to their correctness or applicability. 
 
The amendments shall become effective immediately upon the 
release of this opinion.  Because the amendments were not 
published for comment previously, interested persons shall have 
seventy-five days from the date of this opinion in which to file 
comments with the Court.2 
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, MUÑIZ, 
COURIEL, and GROSSHANS, JJ., concur. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER 
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
2.  All comments must be filed with the Court on or before 
January 11, 2022, as well as a separate request for oral argument if 
the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral 
argument, which may be scheduled in this case.  If filed by an 
attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, the comment must 
be electronically filed via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (Portal) 
in accordance with In re Electronic Filing in the Supreme Court of 
Florida via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, Fla. Admin. Order No. 
AOSC13-7 (Feb. 18, 2013).  If filed by a nonlawyer or a lawyer not 
licensed to practice in Florida, the comment may be, but is not 
required to be, filed via the Portal.  Any person unable to submit a 
comment electronically must mail or hand-deliver the originally 
signed comment to the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the Clerk, 
500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1927; no 
additional copies are required or will be accepted. 
- 5 - 
 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules 
of General Practice and Judicial Administration, Florida Rules of 
Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, Florida Rules of Traffic 
Court, Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules of Juvenile 
Procedure, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, and Florida Family 
Law Rules of Procedure 
 
Jason Paul Stearns, Chair, Civil Procedure Rules Committee, 
Tampa, Florida; Stanford R. Solomon, Chair, Rules of General 
Practice and Judicial Administration Committee, Tampa, Florida; 
Alan Scott Apte, Chair, Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, 
Orlando, Florida; Cady L. Huss, Chair, Florida Probate Rules 
Committee, Sarasota, Florida; Carter T. Hillstrom, Chair, Traffic 
Court Rules Committee, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Kevin McKinley 
Stone, Chair, Small Claims Rules Committee, Mount Dora, Florida; 
Candice Kaye Brower, Chair, Juvenile Court Rules Committee, 
Gainesville, Florida; Laura Roe, Chair, Appellate Court Rules 
Committee, St. Petersburg, Florida; Ashley Elizabeth Taylor, Chair, 
Family Law Rules Committee, Tampa, Florida; and Joshua E. 
Doyle, Executive Director, Krys Godwin and Mikalla Andies Davis, 
Staff Liaisons, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioners 
 
- 6 - 
 
APPENDIX 
FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 
 
RULE 1.020. 
PRIVACY AND COURT RECORDS 
Every pleading or other document filed with the court must 
comply with Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.420, Public Access to and Protection of Judicial 
Branch Records and 2.425, Minimization of the Filing of Sensitive 
Information. 
RULE 1.090. 
TIME 
(a) 
Computation. Computation of time shall be governed by 
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.514. 
(b) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(c) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(d) 
[NO CHANGE]  
RULE 1.170. 
COUNTERCLAIMS AND CROSSCLAIMS 
(a)-(f) [NO CHANGE]   
(g) 
Crossclaim against Co-Party. A pleading may state as a 
crossclaim any claim by one party against a co-party arising out of 
the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of either 
the original action or a counterclaim therein, or relating to any 
property that is the subject matter of the original action. The 
crossclaim may include a claim that the party against whom it is 
asserted is or may be liable to the crossclaimant for all or part of a 
claim asserted in the action against the crossclaimant. Service of a 
crossclaim on a party who has appeared in the action must be 
made pursuant tounder Florida Rule of General Practice and 
- 7 - 
 
Judicial Administration 2.516. Service of a crossclaim against a 
party who has not appeared in the action must be made in the 
manner provided for service of summons. 
(h)-(j)  
[NO CHANGE]  
Committee Notes 
 
[NO CHANGE]  
 
RULE 1.310. 
DEPOSITIONS UPON ORAL EXAMINATION 
(a)-(e)  
[NO CHANGE]   
(f) 
Filing; Exhibits. 
(1)-(2)  
[NO CHANGE]  
(3) 
A copy of a deposition may be filed only under the 
following circumstances: 
(A) 
It may be filed in compliance with Florida Rule 
of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425 
and rule 1.280(g) by a party or the witness when the 
contents of the deposition must be considered by the 
court on any matter pending before the court. Prompt 
notice of the filing of the deposition must be given to all 
parties unless notice is waived. A party filing the 
deposition must furnish a copy of the deposition or the 
part being filed to other parties unless the party already 
has a copy. 
(B) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(g)-(h)  
[NO CHANGE]  
Committee Notes 
- 8 - 
 
[NO CHANGE]  
 
Court Commentary 
 
[NO CHANGE] 
RULE 1.350. 
PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THINGS 
AND ENTRY UPON LAND FOR INSPECTION AND 
OTHER PURPOSES 
(a)-(c) [NO CHANGE] 
(d) 
Filing of Documents. Unless required by the court, a 
party shall not file any of the documents or things produced with 
the response. Documents or things may be filed in compliance with 
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425 
and rule 1.280(g) when they should be considered by the court in 
determining a matter pending before the court. 
Committee Notes 
 
[NO CHANGE] 
RULE 1.351. 
PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THINGS 
WITHOUT DEPOSITION 
(a)  [NO CHANGE] 
(b) 
Procedure. A party desiring production under this rule 
shall serve notice as provided in Florida Rule of General Practice 
and Judicial Administration 2.516 on every other party of the intent 
to serve a subpoena under this rule at least 10 days before the 
subpoena is issued if service is by delivery or e-mail and 15 days 
before the subpoena is issued if the service is by mail. The proposed 
subpoena shall be attached to the notice and shall state the time, 
place, and method for production of the documents or things, and 
the name and address of the person who is to produce the 
- 9 - 
 
documents or things, if known, and if not known, a general 
description sufficient to identify the person or the particular class 
or group to which the person belongs; shall include a designation of 
the items to be produced; and shall state that the person who will 
be asked to produce the documents or things has the right to object 
to the production under this rule and that the person will not be 
required to surrender the documents or things. A copy of the notice 
and proposed subpoena shall not be furnished to the person upon 
whom the subpoena is to be served. If any party serves an objection 
to production under this rule within 10 days of service of the notice, 
the documents or things shall not be produced pending resolution 
of the objection in accordance with subdivision (d). 
(c)-(f) [NO CHANGE] 
Committee Notes 
 
[NO CHANGE]  
 
RULE 1.440. 
SETTING ACTION FOR TRIAL 
(a)-(b) [NO CHANGE] 
(c) 
Setting for Trial. If the court finds the action ready to be 
set for trial, it shall enter an order fixing a date for trial. Trial shall 
be set not less than 30 days from the service of the notice for trial. 
By giving the same notice the court may set an action for trial. In 
actions in which the damages are not liquidated, the order setting 
an action for trial shall be served on parties who are in default in 
accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.516. 
(d)  [NO CHANGE] 
Committee Notes 
[NO CHANGE] 
- 10 - 
 
Court Commentary 
 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
RULE 1.442. 
PROPOSALS FOR SETTLEMENT 
(a)-(b)  
[NO CHANGE]  
(c) 
Form and Content of Proposal for Settlement. 
(1) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(2) 
A proposal shall: 
(A)-(F) [NO CHANGE] 
(G) 
include a certificate of service in the form 
required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.516.  
(3)-(4) [NO CHANGE]  
(d)-(e) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(f) 
Acceptance and Rejection. 
(1) 
A proposal shall be deemed rejected unless accepted 
by delivery of a written notice of acceptance within 30 days after 
service of the proposal. The provisions of Florida Rule of General 
Practice and Judicial Administration 2.514(b) do not apply to this 
subdivision. No oral communications shall constitute an 
acceptance, rejection, or counteroffer under the provisions of this 
rule. 
(2)  [NO CHANGE] 
(g)-(j) 
 
[NO CHANGE]  
- 11 - 
 
Committee Notes 
 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
RULE 1.470. 
EXCEPTIONS UNNECESSARY; JURY 
INSTRUCTIONS 
(a) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(b) 
Instructions to Jury. The Florida Standard Jury 
Instructions appearing on The Florida Bar’s website may be used, 
as provided in Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.570, by the trial judges in instructing the jury in 
civil actions. Not later than at the close of the evidence, the parties 
shall file written requests that the court instruct the jury on the law 
set forth in such requests. The court shall then require counsel to 
appear before it to settle the instructions to be given. At such 
conference, all objections shall be made and ruled upon and the 
court shall inform counsel of such instructions as it will give. No 
party may assign as error the giving of any instruction unless that 
party objects thereto at such time, or the failure to give any 
instruction unless that party requested the same. The court shall 
orally instruct the jury before or after the arguments of counsel and 
may provide appropriate instructions during the trial. If the 
instructions are given prior to final argument, the presiding judge 
shall give the jury final procedural instructions after final 
arguments are concluded and prior to deliberations. The court shall 
provide each juror with a written set of the instructions for his or 
her use in deliberations. The court shall file a copy of such 
instructions. 
(c) 
[NO CHANGE]  
Committee Notes 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
- 12 - 
 
FORM 1.983. PROSPECTIVE JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE 
DIRECTIONS TO ATTORNEYS AND PRO SE LITIGANTS: Before 
you file a copy of this form, redact the month and date  
of the prospective juror’s birth in question #3,  
but retain the year of birth. 
Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.425(a)(2). 
 
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PROSPECTIVE JURORS 
1. 
Name (print) 
........……………………................................................................... 
 
 
 
 
(first) 
 
 
(middle) 
 
 
(last) 
 
2. 
Residence address 
 
……………………................................................................... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(street and number)
 
............................................................................................ 
 
 
 
 
 
(city)  
 
 
 
(zip) 
 
3. 
Date of Birth
 
……………………................................................................... 
 
Sex .................................... Occupation............................... 
 
4. 
Do you understand the English language? 
 
........................................            ...................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
5. 
Do you read and write the English language? 
 
......................................              ....................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
6. 
Have you ever been convicted of a crime and not restored to 
your civil rights?  
 
...................................                 ...................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
 
If “yes,” state the nature of crime(s), the date of the 
- 13 - 
 
conviction(s), and the name of the court(s) in which you were 
convicted: 
………………………………………………………………………………… 
.……………………………………………………………………………….. 
 
7. 
Are there any criminal charges pending against you of which 
you are aware? 
 
..................................                  ..................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
 
If “yes,” state the nature of the charge and the name of the 
court (s) in which the case(s) is pending: 
 
………………………………………………………………………………. 
 
.……………………………………………………………………………… 
 
8. 
FULL TIME LAW ENFORCEMNT OFFICERS AND LAW 
ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL ONLY. Section 
40.013(2)(b), Florida Statues, provides that “[a]ny full-time federal 
state, or local law enforcement officer or such entities’ investigative 
personal shall be excused from jury service unless such persons 
choose to serve.” Do you choose to serve? 
 
...............................                     ...................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
9. 
List any official executive office you now hold with the federal, 
state, or ………. county government: 
 
……………………………………………………………………………… 
 
……………………………………………………………………………… 
 
10. Is your hearing good?  .............................    ........................... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
(no) 
 
 
Is your eyesight good?  ............................    ............................ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
(no) 
 
(The court may require a medical certificate.) 
 
11. Do you have any physical or mental disability that would 
interfere with your service as a juror? 
 
...............................                     .................................. 
- 14 - 
 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
If “yes,” state the nature:  
……………………………………………...................................…… 
 
(The court may require a medical certificate.) 
 
12. Do you know of any reason (s) why you cannot serve as a 
juror? 
 
...............................                 ...................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
If “yes,” state the reason (s): 
 
………………………………………………………………………………. 
 
………………………………………………………………………………. 
 
13. EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND PARENTS ONLY: Section 
30.013(4), Florida Statutes, provides that “[a]ny expectant mother 
and parent who is not employed full time and who  has custody of 
a child under 6 years of age, upon request, shall be excused from 
jury service. Do you want to be excused under this provision? 
 
...............................                 ...................................... 
 
 
(yes)  
 
 
 
 
(no) 
 
If “yes,” what are the ages of your children? 
 
................................................................................................ 
 
Signature 
 
This is not a summons for jury duty. If your name is later 
drawn for jury service, you will be summoned by clerk of court by 
mail. 
 
NOTE: This form does not use a caption as shown in form 
1.901. It may be headed with the designation of the jury authority 
charged by law with the selection of prospective jurors.  
 
 
- 15 - 
 
 
 
FORM 1.997. CIVIL COVER SHEET 
The civil cover sheet and the information contained in it neither 
replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other 
documents as required by law. This form must be filed by the 
plaintiff or petitioner with the Clerk of Court for the purpose of 
reporting uniform data pursuant to section 25.075, Florida 
Statutes. (See instructions for completion.) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I. 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
II. 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
III. [NO CHANGE]  
 
 
IV. [NO CHANGE] 
 
 
V. 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
 
VI. [NO CHANGE] 
 
 
VII. [NO CHANGE] 
 
 
VIII. IS JURY TRIAL DEMANDED IN COMPLAINT?   
 
 
 
 yes 
 
 
 
 no 
 
I CERTIFY that the information I have provided in this cover sheet 
is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I have 
read and will comply with the requirements of Florida Rule of 
General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425. 
 
Signature  
 
 
 
 
 
 Fla. Bar #  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attorney or party  
 
 
(Bar # if attorney) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(type or print name)  
 
 
 Date 
- 16 - 
 
FORM 1.997. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING 
CIVIL COVER SHEET 
Plaintiff must file this cover sheet with the first document filed in 
the action or proceeding (except small claims cases, probate, or 
family cases). Domestic and juvenile cases should be accompanied 
by a completed Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 
12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases. Failure to file a civil 
cover sheet in any civil case other than those excepted above may 
result in sanctions. 
 
I. 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
II. 
[NO CHANGE] 
III. 
[NO CHANGE] 
IV. [NO CHANGE] 
 
V. 
[NO CHANGE] 
 
VI. [NO CHANGE] 
 
VII. [NO CHANGE] 
 
VIII. [NO CHANGE] 
 
ATTORNEY OR PARTY SIGNATURE. Sign the civil cover sheet.  
Print legibly the name of the person signing the civil cover sheet.  
Attorneys must include a Florida Bar number.  Insert the date the 
civil cover sheet is signed.  Signature is a certification that the filer 
has provided accurate information on the civil cover sheet, and has 
read and complied with the requirements of Florida Rule of 
General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.425. 
 
 
 
- 17 - 
 
FORM 1.999. ORDER DESIGNATING A CASE COMPLEX 
This form order is for designating a case complex under rule 1.201 
and directing the clerk of court to update the court’s records and to 
report the case activity to the Supreme Court.  
 
ORDER DESIGNATING CASE A “COMPLEX CASE” 
DIRECTIONS TO THE CLERK OF COURT 
 
THIS CAUSE was considered on [the court’s own motion] [the 
motion of a party] to designate this case a “complex case” as defined 
in rule 1.201, Fla. R. Civ. P.  Being fully advised in the 
circumstances, the court determines that the case meets the 
criteria for proceeding under the rule and designates it as a 
“complex case.” 
 
 
The clerk of the court shall designate this case a “complex 
case,” update the court’s records accordingly, and report such 
designation and the case activity to the Supreme Court pursuant to 
section 25.075, Florida Statutes, and rule 2.245(a), Fla. R. Gen. 
Prac. & Jud. Admin. 
 
DONE AND ORDERED at ………. County, Florida, on .....(date)...... 
 
Judge 
FLORIDA RULES OF GENERAL PRACTICE AND JUDICIAL 
ADMINISTRATION 
 
RULE 2.140. 
AMENDING RULES OF COURT 
(a) 
Amendments Generally. The following procedure shall 
be followed for consideration of rule amendments generally other 
than those adopted under subdivisions (d), (e), (f), and (g): 
(1)-(2) [NO CHANGE]  
(3) 
The Florida Bar shall appoint the following 
committees to consider rule proposals: Civil Procedure Rules 
Committee, Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, Small Claims 
Rules Committee, Traffic Court Rules Committee, Appellate Court 
- 18 - 
 
Rules Committee, Juvenile Court Rules Committee, Code and Rules 
of Evidence Committee, Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee, Probate Rules Committee, and Family 
Law Rules Committee. 
(4) 
Each committee shall be composed of attorneys and 
judges with extensive experience and training in the committee’s 
area of concentration. Members of the Rules of General Practice and 
Judicial Administration Committee shall also have previous rules 
committee experience or substantial experience in the 
administration of the Florida court system. The chair of each rules 
committee shall appoint one of its members to the Rules of General 
Practice and Judicial Administration Committee to serve as a 
regular member of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee to facilitate and implement routine 
periodic reporting by and to the Rules of General Practice and 
Judicial Administration Committee on the development and 
progress of rule proposals under consideration and their potential 
impact on other existing or proposed rules. The members of each 
rules committee shall serve for 3-year staggered terms, except 
members appointed by a rules committee chair to the Rules of 
General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee who shall 
serve at the pleasure of the respective rules committee chairs. The 
president-elect of The Florida Bar shall appoint sitting members of 
each rules committee to serve as chair(s) and vice chair(s) for each 
successive year. 
(5) [NO CHANGE] 
(6) 
The Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee shall serve as the central rules 
coordinating committee. All committees shall provide a copy of any 
proposed rules changes to the Rules of General Practice and 
Judicial Administration Committee within 30 days of a committee’s 
affirmative vote to recommend the proposed change to the supreme 
court.  The Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 
Committee shall then refer all proposed rules changes to those 
rules committees that might be affected by the proposed change. 
- 19 - 
 
(7) 
Whenever the Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee receives a request to coordinate the 
submission of a single comprehensive report of proposed rule 
amendments on behalf of multiple rules committees, the general 
procedure shall be as follows: 
(A) 
The subcommittee chairs handling the matter 
for each committee will constitute an ad hoc committee to discuss 
the various committees’ recommendations and to formulate time 
frames for the joint response. The chair of the ad hoc committee will 
be the assigned Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee subcommittee chair. 
(B) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(C) 
The Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee shall be responsible for filing the 
comprehensive final report. 
(b)-(f) [NO CHANGE]  
(g) 
Amendments to the Rules of General Practice and 
Judicial Administration. 
(1) 
Amendments Without Referral to Rules Committee. 
Changes to the Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration contained in Part II, State Court Administration, of 
these rules, and rules 2.310, and 2.320, contained in Part III, 
Judicial Officers, generally will be considered and adopted by the 
supreme court without reference to or proposal from the Rules of 
General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee. The 
supreme court may amend rules under this subdivision at any 
time, with or without notice. If a change is made without notice, the 
court shall fix a date for future consideration of the change and the 
change shall be published on the websites of the supreme court and 
The Florida Bar, and in The Florida Bar News. Any person may file 
comments concerning the change, in accordance with the 
procedures set forth in subdivision (b)(6). The court may hear oral 
argument on the change. Notice of the oral argument on the 
- 20 - 
 
change, if scheduled, and a copy of the change shall be provided in 
accordance with subdivision (d). 
(2) 
Other Amendments. Amendments to all other Rules 
of General Practice and Judicial Administration shall be referred to 
or proposed by the Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee and adopted by the supreme court as 
provided in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f). 
(h) [NO CHANGE] 
Committee Notes 
[NO CHANGE] 
RULE 2.215. 
TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATION 
(a)-(d) [NO CHANGE] 
 
(e) 
Local Rules and Administrative Orders. 
(1) 
Local court rules as defined in rule 2.120 may be 
proposed by a majority of the circuit and county judges in the 
circuit. The judges shall notify the local bar within the circuit of the 
proposal, after which they shall permit a representative of the local 
bar, and may permit any other interested person, to be heard orally 
or in writing on the proposal before submitting it to the supreme 
court for approval. When a proposed local rule is submitted to the 
supreme court for approval, the following procedure shall apply: 
(A)-(C) [NO CHANGE] 
(D) 
The supreme court shall consider the 
recommendations of the committee and may resubmit the proposals 
with modifications to the committee for editorial comment only. The 
supreme court may set a hearing on any proposals, or consider 
them on the recommendations and comments as submitted. If a 
hearing is set, notice shall be given to the chief judge of the circuit 
from which the proposals originated, the executive director of The 
Florida Bar, the chair of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration Committee of The Florida Bar, any local bar 
- 21 - 
 
associations, and any interested persons who made comments on 
the specific proposals to be considered. The supreme court shall act 
on the proposals promptly after the recommendations are received 
or heard. 
(E)-(F) [NO CHANGE] 
 
 
 
(2)-(4) [NO CHANGE] 
(f)-(i) 
 [NO CHANGE] 
Committee Notes 
[NO CHANGE] 
Court Commentary 
[NO CHANGE] 
Criminal Court Steering Committee Note 
[NO CHANGE] 
RULE 2.240. 
DETERMINATION OF NEED FOR ADDITIONAL 
JUDGES 
(a) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(b) 
Criteria. 
(1) 
Trial Courts. 
(A) 
Assessment of judicial need at the trial court 
level is based primarily upon the application of case weights to 
circuit and county court caseload statistics supplied to the Office of 
the State Courts Administrator by the clerks of the circuit courts, 
pursuant to rule 2.245, Florida Rules of General Practice and 
Judicial Administration.  Such case weights provide a quantified 
measure of judicial time spent on case-related activity, translating 
judicial caseloads into judicial workload by factoring in the relative 
complexity by case type in the following manner: 
- 22 - 
 
(i)-(ii) [NO CHANGE] 
(B)-(C)  
 [NO CHANGE] 
(2) 
District Courts of Appeal. 
(A) 
The criteria for determining the need to certify 
the need for increasing or decreasing the number of judges on a 
district court of appeal shall include the following factors: 
(i) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(ii) 
efficiency factors to be considered 
include: a court’s ability to stay current with its caseload, as 
indicated by measurements such as trend in clearance rate; trends 
in a court’s percentage of cases disposed within the time standards 
set forth in the Rules of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration and explanation/justification for cases not resolved 
within the time standards; and a court’s utilization of resources, 
case management techniques and technologies to maximize the 
efficient adjudication of cases, research of legal issues, and 
preparation and distribution of decisions. 
(iii)-(iv) [NO CHANGE] 
 
(B) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(c)  [NO CHANGE] 
(d) 
Certification Process. The process by which certification 
of the need to increase or decrease the number of judges shall 
include: 
(1)-(4) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(5) 
The supreme court, in conjunction with the 
certification process under this rule, shall also consider the 
necessity for increasing, decreasing, or redefining appellate districts 
and judicial circuits as required by article V, section 9, of the 
Florida Constitution and as set forth in Florida Rule of General 
Practice and Judicial Administration 2.241. 
- 23 - 
 
Court Commentary 
1983 Adoption.  
[NO CHANGE] 
2004 Amendment.  [NO CHANGE] 
2006 Amendment.  [NO CHANGE] 
2013 Amendment. Subdivision (d)(5) was added to ensure the 
certification process under rule 2.240(d) is conducted in 
conjunction with the related process for determinations regarding 
increases, decreases, or redefinition of appellate districts and 
judicial circuits under Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.241. 
RULE 2.241. 
DETERMINATION OF THE NECESSITY TO 
INCREASE, DECREASE, OR REDEFINE JUDICIAL 
CIRCUITS AND APPELLATE DISTRICTS 
(a)  [NO CHANGE] 
(b) 
Certification Process. A certification process shall be 
completed in conjunction with the supreme court’s annual 
determination regarding the need for judges under Florida Rule of 
General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.240(d) and in 
accordance with the following: 
(1)-(8)  
[NO CHANGE]   
 
(c) 
Criteria for Judicial Circuits. The following criteria 
shall be considered when determining the necessity for increasing, 
decreasing, or redefining judicial circuits as required by article V, 
section 9, of the Florida Constitution: 
(1) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(2) 
Efficiency. Factors to be considered for this criterion 
are the extent to which each court: 
(A) 
[NO CHANGE] 
- 24 - 
 
(B) 
adjudicates a high percentage of its cases 
within the time standards set forth in the Rules of General Practice 
and Judicial Administration and has adequate procedures to 
ensure efficient, timely disposition of its cases; and  
(C) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(3)-(5) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(6) 
Additional criteria. Such other factors as are 
regularly considered when making a determination with respect to 
the need for additional judges under Florida Rule of General 
Practice and Judicial Administration 2.240(b)(1) and (c). 
(d) 
Criteria for District Courts. The following criteria shall 
be considered when determining the necessity for increasing, 
decreasing, or redefine/ng appellate districts as required by article 
V, section 9, of the Florida Constitution: 
(1) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(2) 
Efficiency. Factors to be considered for this criterion 
are the extent to which each court: 
(A) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(B) 
adjudicates a high percentage of its cases 
within the time standards set forth in the Rules of General Practice 
and Judicial Administration and has adequate procedures to 
ensure efficient, timely disposition of its cases; and 
(C) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(3)-(5) [NO CHANGE] 
(e) 
[NO CHANGE]  
Committee Notes 
[NO CHANGE] 
- 25 - 
 
Court Commentary  
[NO CHANGE] 
RULE 2.420. 
PUBLIC ACCESS TO AND PROTECTION OF 
JUDICIAL BRANCH RECORDS 
(a)-(j)  
[NO CHANGE]  
(k) 
Procedure for Service on Victims and Affected Non-
parties and When Addresses Are Confidential.  
(1) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(2) 
Except as set forth in subdivision (k)(1), when 
serving any notice or motion described in this rule on any affected 
non-party whose name or address is not confidential, the filer or 
movant shall use reasonable efforts to locate the affected non-party 
and may serve such affected non-party by any method set forth in 
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.  
(3) 
Except as set forth in subdivision (k)(1), when 
serving any notice or motion described in this rule and the name or 
address of any party or affected non-party is confidential, the filer 
or movant must state prominently in the caption of the notice or 
motion “Confidential Party or Confidential Affected Non-Party — 
Court Service Requested.” When a notice or motion so designated is 
filed, the court shall be responsible for providing a copy of the 
notice or motion to the party or affected non-party, by any method 
permitted in Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.516, in such a way as to not reveal the 
confidential information.  
(l)-(m) 
[NO CHANGE] 
Committee Note 
[NO CHANGE] 
- 26 - 
 
APPENDIX TO RULE 2.420  
IN THE .....(NAME OF 
COURT)....., 
 
FLORIDA  
 
CASE NO.: .......... 
 
 
Plaintiff/Petitioner, 
 
v. 
 
 
 
Defendant/Respondent. 
 
/ 
NOTICE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION  
WITHIN COURT FILING 
Pursuant to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.420(d)(2), I hereby certify: 
(  )(1) I am filing herewith a document containing confidential 
information as described in Rule 2.420(d)(1)(B) and that: 
(a) The title/type of document is                          , and: 
(b)(  ) the entire document is confidential, or 
(  ) the confidential information within the document is 
precisely located at :                                                      . 
OR 
(  )(2) A document was previously filed in this case that 
contains confidential information as described in Rule 
2.420(d)(1)(B), but a Notice of Confidential Information within Court 
Filing was not filed with the document and the confidential 
information was not maintained as confidential by the clerk of the 
court. I hereby notify the clerk that this confidential information is 
located as follows: 
- 27 - 
 
(a) Title/type of document:                                    ; 
(b) Date of filing (if known):                                         ; 
(c) Date of document:                                                          ; 
(d) Docket entry number:                                                         ; 
(e) (  ) Entire document is confidential, or 
(  ) Precise location of confidential information in document:                      
 
 
.                                                                                                
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filer’s Signature 
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was furnished by 
(e-mail) (delivery) (mail) (fax) on: (All parties and Affected Non-
Parties. Note: If the name or address of a Party or Affected Non-
Party is confidential DO NOT include such information in this 
Certificate of Service. Instead, serve the State Attorney or request 
Court Service. See Rule 2.420(k))                 , on             , 20 
. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Name .......... 
Address .......... 
Phone .......... 
Florida Bar No. (if applicable) .......... 
E-mail address .......... 
Note:  The clerk of court shall review filings identified as containing 
confidential information to determine whether the information is 
facially subject to confidentiality under subdivision (d)(1)(B).  The 
clerk shall notify the filer in writing within 5 days if the clerk 
determines that the information is NOT subject to confidentiality, 
and the records shall not be held as confidential for more than 10 
days, unless a motion is filed pursuant to subdivision (d)(3) of the 
Rule.  Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.420(d)(2).   
 
 
- 28 - 
 
RULE 2.451. 
USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES 
(a)-(c) [NO CHANGE] 
Committee Note 
2013 Adoption. Subdivision (c), Use of Electronic Devices by 
Others, parallels Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.450(a) regarding the use of electronic devices by 
the media. 
RULE 2.514. 
COMPUTING AND EXTENDING TIME  
(a) 
Computing Time. The following rules apply in 
computing time periods specified in any rule of procedure, local 
rule, court order, or statute that does not specify a method of 
computing time.  
(1) 
Period Stated in Days or a Longer Unit. When the 
period is stated in days or a longer unit of time:  
(A)-(B) [NO CHANGE]  
  
(C) 
include the last day of the period, but if the 
last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, or falls within any 
period of time extended through an order of the chief justice under 
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 
2.205(a)(2)(B)(iv), the period continues to run until the end of the 
next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday and does 
not fall within any period of time extended through an order of the 
chief justice.  
(2) 
Period Stated in Hours. When the period is stated in 
hours  
(A)-(B) [NO CHANGE] 
  
(C) 
if the period would end on a Saturday, 
Sunday, or legal holiday, or during any period of time extended 
through an order of the chief justice under Florida Rule of General 
Practice and Judicial Administration 2.205(a)(2)(B)(iv), the period 
- 29 - 
 
continues to run until the same time on the next day that is not a 
Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday and does not fall within any 
period of time extended through an order of the chief justice.  
(3)-(6) [NO CHANGE] 
  
(b) 
[NO CHANGE]  
RULE 2.545. 
CASE MANAGEMENT 
(a)-(c) 
[NO CHANGE]  
(d) 
Related Cases. 
(1)-(3) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(4) 
The notice of related cases shall be filed with the 
initial pleading by the filing attorney or self-represented petitioner. 
The notice shall be filed in each of the related cases that are 
currently open and pending with the court and served on all other 
parties in each of the related cases, and as may be directed by the 
chief judge or designee. Parties may file joint notices. A notice of 
related cases filed pursuant to this rule is not an appearance. If any 
related case is confidential and exempt from public access by law, 
then a Notice of Confidential Information Within Court Filing as 
required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial 
Administration 2.420 shall accompany the notice. Parties shall file 
supplemental notices as related cases become known or reasonably 
ascertainable. 
(5)-(6) 
[NO CHANGE] 
(e) 
[NO CHANGE]  
Committee Notes 
[NO CHANGE]  
 
- 30 - 
 
JUDICIAL BRANCH 
RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE 
FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS 
GENERAL APPLICATION  
This record retention schedule does not impose a duty to 
create records contained in the schedule. The purpose of the 
schedule is to authorize destruction of records after the 
retention period has elapsed. The records custodian may retain 
records longer than required by the schedule. This schedule 
authorizes destruction of records unless otherwise provided by 
court rule.  
The retention period should be calculated from the time 
that the record is completed. For purposes of calculating the 
retention period, fiscal records should be considered completed 
at the end of a fiscal year. All retention periods are subject to 
the caveat “provided that applicable audits have been 
released.”  
The records custodian of the judicial branch entity that 
creates a record creates the “record copy” and is responsible 
for its retention in accordance with this schedule. The records 
custodian of the judicial branch entity that properly receives a 
record from outside the judicial branch has the “record copy” 
and is responsible for its retention in accordance with this 
schedule. Duplicates are only required to be retained until 
obsolete, superseded or administrative value is lost.  
“Record Series” means a group of related documents 
arranged under a single filing arrangement or kept together as 
a unit because they consist of the same form, relate to the 
same subject, result from the same activity, or have certain 
common characteristics.  
ACQUISITION RECORDS: LIBRARY [NO CHANGE] 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
- 31 - 
 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS: PUBLIC OFFICIALS/COURT  
 
ADMINISTRATORS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS: LEGAL [NO CHANGE] 
 
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
APPLICATIONS: GUARDIAN AD LITEM, MEDIATION, OTHERS  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
APPLICATIONS: LIBRARY CARDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
APPRAISALS: LAND PURCHASES (NOT PURCHASED)  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
APPRAISALS: LAND PURCHASES (PURCHASED) [NO CHANGE] 
 
ARCHITECTURAL PLANS/SPECIFICATIONS: PRELIMINARY 
DRAWINGS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE RECORDS [NO CHANGE]  
 
AUDITS: INDEPENDENT [NO CHANGE] 
 
AUDITS: INTERNAL [NO CHANGE] 
 
AUDITS: STATE/FEDERAL [NO CHANGE] 
 
AUDITS: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS [NO CHANGE] 
 
BACKGROUND/SECURITY CHECKS [NO CHANGE] 
 
BANK ACCOUNT AUTHORIZATION RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
BAR APPLICANTS: ADMITTED [NO CHANGE] 
- 32 - 
 
 
BAR APPLICANTS: NOT ADMITTED (WITH NO 
RECOMMENDATION) [NO CHANGE] 
 
BAR APPLICANTS: NOT ADMITTED (WITH UNFAVORABLE 
RECOMMENDATION) [NO CHANGE] 
 
BAR EXAMINATION/ANSWERS [NO CHANGE] 
 
BAR EXAMINATION/FLORIDA PREPARED PORTION  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
BID RECORDS: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SUCCESSFUL BIDS  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
BID RECORDS: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT UNSUCCESSFUL BIDS  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
BID RECORDS: NON-CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT [NO CHANGE] 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL FILES [NO CHANGE] 
 
BUDGET RECORDS: APPROVED ANNUAL BUDGET [NO CHANGE] 
 
BUDGET RECORDS: SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS [NO CHANGE] 
 
BUILDING PLANS [NO CHANGE] 
 
CALENDARS [NO CHANGE] 
 
CASE RELATED RECORDS NOT IN THE CUSTODY OF THE 
CLERK AND/OR NOT IN CASE FILE  
This record series includes records that are related to a trial court 
records as defined in Rule 2.420, Florida Rules of General Practice 
and Judicial Administration, because they are not filed with the 
clerk of court and are not included in the court file. These records 
include, but are not limited to, drug court evaluation and progress 
reports, mediation reports, deferred prosecution and diversion 
records, and arbitration reports.  Case-related trial court 
- 33 - 
 
documents may be destroyed or disposed of after a judgment has 
become final in record accordance with the following schedule:  
RETENTION:  
(A)-(H) [NO CHANGE] 
CERTIFICATION FORWARD DOCUMENTS [NO CHANGE] 
CHILD SUPPORT/ALIMONY DISBURSEMENT RECORDS: DETAIL  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
CHILD SUPPORT/ALIMONY DISBURSEMENT RECORDS: 
SUMMARY [NO CHANGE] 
 
CHILD SUPPORT/ALIMONY RECEIPT/REVENUE RECORDS: 
DETAIL [NO CHANGE] 
 
CHILD SUPPORT/ALIMONY RECEIPT/REVENUE RECORDS: 
SUMMARY [NO CHANGE] 
 
COMPLAINTS: CITIZENS/CONSUMERS/EMPLOYEES  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
CONTINUING EDUCATION RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
CONTRACTS/LEASES/AGREEMENTS: CAPITAL 
IMPROVEMENT/REAL PROPERTY [NO CHANGE] 
 
CONTRACTS/LEASES/AGREEMENTS: NON-CAPITAL 
IMPROVEMENT [NO CHANGE] 
 
CORRESPONDENCE & MEMORANDA: ADMINISTRATIVE [NO 
CHANGE] 
 
CORRESPONDENCE & MEMORANDA: PROGRAM AND POLICY 
DEVELOPMENT [NO CHANGE] 
 
COURT REGISTRY [NO CHANGE] 
- 34 - 
 
 
COURT REPORTS [NO CHANGE] 
 
DEEDS: PROPERTY [NO CHANGE] 
 
DELAYED BIRTH (APPLICATION/CERTIFICATE/AFFIDAVITS, 
ETC.) [NO CHANGE] 
 
DIRECTIVES/POLICIES/PROCEDURES [NO CHANGE] 
 
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS DRILLS [NO CHANGE] 
 
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANS [NO CHANGE] 
 
DISBURSEMENT RECORDS: DETAIL [NO CHANGE] 
 
DISBURSEMENT RECORDS: SUMMARY [NO CHANGE] 
 
DISCIPLINARY CASE FILES [NO CHANGE] 
 
DRAFTS AND WORKING PAPERS [NO CHANGE] 
 
DRUG TEST RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ELECTRONIC RECORDS SOFTWARE [NO CHANGE] 
 
EMPLOYEE PRE-COUNSELING RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATION RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ENCUMBRANCE RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
ENDOWMENTS, BEQUESTS AND TRUST FUND RECORDS  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
- 35 - 
 
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMPLIANCE RECORDS  
[NO CHANGE] 
 
EQUIPMENT/VEHICLE MAINTENANCE RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
EQUIPMENT/VEHICLE USAGE RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
EXPENDITURE PLANS: CAPITAL [NO CHANGE] 
 
FACILITY RESERVATION/RENTAL RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
FEASIBILITY STUDY RECORDS [NO CHANGE] 
 
FEDERAL AND STATE TAX FORMS/REPORTS [NO CHANGE] 
 
GENERAL LEDGERS: ANNUAL SUMMARY [NO CHANGE] 
 
GRAND JURY