Case Title: In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure - Electronic Service

Citation: 

Docket Number: SC17-882

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2018-10-25T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC17-882 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL 
PROCEDURE, THE FLORIDA RULES OF JUDICIAL 
ADMINISTRATION, THE FLORIDA RULES OF CRIMINAL 
PROCEDURE, AND THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE 
PROCEDURE—ELECTRONIC SERVICE. 
 
October 25, 2018 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
This matter is before the Court for consideration of proposed amendments to 
the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of 
Criminal Procedure, and Rules of Appellate Procedure.1 
Background 
The Florida Bar’s Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, the Civil 
Procedure Rules Committee, the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, and the 
Appellate Court Rules Committee (Rules Committees) have filed a joint out-of-
cycle report proposing a number of rule amendments addressing the computation 
                                          
 
 
1.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
 
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of time to respond to documents served by e-mail.  The Rules Committees 
published the proposals for comment before filing them with the Court and made 
revisions to the proposals in response to the comments they received.  The 
amendments before the Court were unanimously approved by the Board of 
Governors of The Florida Bar. 
After the joint report was filed, the Court published the proposed 
amendments for comment.  The Court received comments from Victoria Katz, a 
rules attorney for Aderant CompuLaw, as well as from several members of the 
original Joint Email Service Committee.2  The Civil Procedure Rules Committee 
filed a response to the comments indicating its opposition to the proposed 
amendment to Rule of Judicial Administration 2.514(a)(1)(A), and suggesting 
additional amendments to the rule.  The Rules of Judicial Administration 
                                          
 
 
2.  The Joint Email Service Committee was established in 2009 to devise a 
system that would effectively move Florida courts away from a paper-dominated 
system into one utilizing e-mail as the principal means of service.  In In re 
Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of Judicial 
Administration, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Florida Probate Rules, 
Florida Small Claims Rules, Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, Florida Rules of 
Appellate Procedure, and Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure—Electronic 
Filing, 102 So. 3d 451 (Fla. 2012), the chair of The Florida Bar’s Rules of Judicial 
Administration Committee, together with the committee chairs for several bodies 
of court rules, filed an out-of-cycle report proposing new Florida Rule of Judicial 
Administration 2.516 (Service of Pleadings and Documents), which implemented 
mandatory e-mail service for all cases in Florida.  The Court adopted the 
amendments as proposed.   
 
- 3 - 
Committee, the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, and the Appellate Court 
Rules Committee filed a joint response addressing the concerns raised in the 
comments and declining to make any further revisions to the proposed 
amendments. 
 
After considering the proposed amendments, the comments filed, the Rules 
Committees’ responses, and hearing oral argument, we adopt the amendments as 
proposed and set forth in the appendix to this opinion.  
Rules of Judicial Administration 
Subdivision (b) of Rule of Judicial Administration 2.514 (Computing and 
Extending Time) is amended to remove “or e-mail” so that service by mail and e-
mail are no longer treated identically.  We also amend subdivision (a)(1)(A) of that 
rule so that time frames are calculated beginning from the next day following the 
event that triggers the time frame that is not a weekend or legal holiday.  
Subdivision (b)(1)(D)(iii) (Service; How Made; Service by Electronic Mail (“e-
mail”); Time of Service) of rule 2.516 is amended to no longer allow parties an 
additional five days to respond following service of a document by e-mail.  This 
amendment is consistent with the amendment to subdivision (b) of rule 2.514.  E-
mail, unlike postal mail, is now nearly instantaneous and no additional time should 
be permitted for responses to documents served by e-mail.  
 
- 4 - 
Rules of Civil Procedure 
Rules of Civil Procedure 1.170 (Counterclaims and Crossclaims), 1.260 
(Survivor; Substitution of Parties), 1.351 (Production of Documents and Things 
Without Deposition), 1.410 (Subpoena), 1.440 (Setting Action for Trial), 1.442 
(Proposals for Settlement), and 1.510 (Summary Judgment) are amended to 
directly reference Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 (Service of Pleadings and 
Documents) instead of referencing Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080 (Service and 
Filing of Pleadings, Orders, and Documents).   
We further amend rule 1.351 to reduce the time frame for parties to serve by 
e-mail a notice of intent to serve a subpoena requesting production of documents 
and things from fifteen to ten days.  Lastly, we also amend rule 1.510 in 
subdivision (c) (Motion and Proceedings Thereon) to treat summary judgment 
evidence submitted electronically or by e-mail the same as summary judgment 
evidence that is “delivered,” providing that while service by mail must take place 
at least five days prior to the day of the hearing, service by delivery, e-filing, and e-
mail must take place no later than two days prior to the day of the hearing.   
Rules of Criminal Procedure 
Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.040 (Computation of Time) is amended to 
remove the reference to subdivision (a) of Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 
2.514, to conform with the amendment to that rule.  As amended, the rule provides 
 
- 5 - 
that computation of time shall be governed by Rule of Judicial Administration 
2.514.  Rule 3.070 (Additional Time After Service by Mail, When Permitted, or E-
Mail) is deleted in its entirety.  The rule provided its own time frames for service 
by mail and e-mail; specifically, it provided for an additional three days to be 
added to the deadline when a party had the right or was required to do some act or 
take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or 
other document on the party by mail or e-mail.  Deleting rule 3.070 makes the 
Rules of Criminal Procedure consistent with the other amendments herein adopted.  
Computation of time in criminal proceedings is now governed by Florida Rule of 
Judicial Administration 2.514.   
Rules of Appellate Procedure 
The Rules Committees’ proposed amendments to the Rules of Appellate 
Procedure all concern enlarging time frames.  The Rules Committees’ report 
indicates that in response to the proposed amendments to Florida Rule of Judicial 
Administration 2.514 removing the additional five days when service is made by e-
mail, the Appellate Court Rules Committee originally proposed amending the 
Rules of Appellate Procedure to retain the additional five days for service by e-
mail.  The Board of Governors expressed concerns about the removal of the five 
days from the other bodies of rules when service is made by e-mail, while 
maintaining the five days for e-mail service in the Rules of Appellate Procedure.  
 
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The Board of Governors suggested that the Committees attempt to come to an 
agreement that would address its concerns and maintain one rule for computation 
of time.  The amendments proposed here reflect a compromise among the Rules 
Committees to address the Appellate Court Rules Committee’s concern about the 
loss of the five additional days to respond to service of a document by e-mail.   
We amend rules 9.100 (Original Proceedings), 9.110 (Appeal Proceedings to 
Review Final Orders of Lower Tribunals and Orders Granting New Trial in Jury 
and Nonjury Cases), 9.120 (Discretionary Proceedings to Review Decisions of 
District Courts of Appeal), 9.125 (Review of Trial Court Orders and Judgments 
Certified by the District Courts of Appeal as Requiring Immediate Resolution by 
the Supreme Court of Florida), 9.130 (Proceedings to Review Nonfinal Orders and 
Specified Final Orders), 9.140 (Appeal Proceedings in Criminal Cases), 9.141 
(Review Proceedings in Collateral or Postconviction Criminal Cases), 9.142 
(Procedures for Review in Death Penalty Cases), 9.146 (Appeal Proceedings in 
Juvenile Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights Cases and Cases 
Involving Families and Children in Need of Services), 9.180 (Appeal Proceedings 
to Review Workers’ Compensation Cases), 9.200 (The Record), 9.210 (Briefs), 
9.300 (Motions), 9.320 (Oral Argument), 9.330 (Rehearing; Clarification; 
Certification; Written Opinion), 9.331 (Determination of Causes in a District Court 
 
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of Appeal En Banc), 9.350 (Dismissal of Causes), 9.360 (Parties), and 9.410 
(Sanctions) to enlarge time frames as proposed.  
We further adopt the Rules Committees’ nonsubstantive editorial 
amendments to subdivisions (i) (Ineffective Assistance of Counsel for Parents 
Claims—Special Procedures and Time Limitations Applicable to Appeals of 
Orders in Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings Involving Ineffective 
Assistance of Counsel Claims), (i)(2) (Rendition), (i)(4)(A) (Ineffective Assistance 
of Counsel Motion Filed After Commencement of Appeal; Stay of Appellate 
Proceeding), and (i)(4)(C) (Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Motion Filed After 
Commencement of Appeal; Duties of the Clerk, Preparation and Transmittal of 
Supplemental Record) of rule 9.146, as proposed.   
Conclusion 
Accordingly, the Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Rules of Civil 
Procedure, Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Rules of Appellate Procedure are 
hereby amended as reflected in the appendix to this opinion.  New language is 
indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type.  The 
amendments shall become effective January 1, 2019, at 12:02 a.m.   
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, and 
LAWSON, JJ., concur. 
LEWIS, J., dissents. 
 
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THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of Judicial 
Administration, Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure, Florida Rules of Appellate 
Procedure – Electronic Service 
 
Scott Michael Dimond, Chair, Civil Procedure Rules Committee, Miami, Florida, 
Roger James Haughey, II, Past Chair, Tampa, Florida, Civil Procedure Rules 
Committee; Eduardo I. Sanchez, Chair, Rules of Judicial Administration 
Committee, Miami, Florida, Honorable Steven Scott Stephens, Past Chair, Rules of 
Judicial Administration Committee, Tampa, Florida; Sheila Ann Loizos, Chair, 
Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, Jacksonville, Florida, H. Scott Fingerhut, 
Past Chair, Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, Coral Gables, Florida; Courtney 
Rebecca Brewer, Chair, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Tallahassee, Florida, 
Kristin A. Norse, Past Chair, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Tampa, Florida; 
and Joshua E. Doyle, Executive Director, Mikalla Andies Davis, Krys Godwin, 
and Heather Savage Telfer, Staff Liaisons, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
for Petitioners 
 
Victoria Katz of Aderant, Culver City, California; Paul R. Regensdorf, Palm City, 
Florida; Honorable Richard A. Nielsen, Circuit Judge, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, 
Tampa, Florida; Donald E. Christopher of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & 
Berkowitz, PC, Orlando, Florida; and Robert M. Eschenfelder, Bradenton, Florida,  
 
Responding with Comments 
- 9 - 
 
APPENDIX 
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) 
exclude the day of the event that triggers the periodbegin 
counting from the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday;  
(B) – (C) 
[No change]  
(2) – (6) 
[No change]  
(b) 
Additional Time after Service by Mail or E-mail. When a party 
may or must act within a specified time after service and service is made by mail 
or e-mail, 5 days are added after the period that would otherwise expire under 
subdivision (a). 
 
RULE 2.516. 
SERVICE OF PLEADINGS AND DOCUMENTS 
 
(a) 
[No change] 
 
(b) 
Service; How Made. When service is required or permitted to be 
made upon a party represented by an attorney, service must be made upon the 
attorney unless service upon the party is ordered by the court. 
(1) 
Service by Electronic Mail (“e-mail”). All documents 
required or permitted to be served on another party must be served by e-mail, 
unless the parties otherwise stipulate or this rule otherwise provides. A filer of an 
electronic document has complied with this subdivision if the Florida Courts e-
filing Portal (“Portal”) or other authorized electronic filing system with a supreme 
court approved electronic service system (“e-Service system”) served the 
document by e-mail or provided a link by e-mail to the document on a website 
maintained by a clerk (“e-Service”). The filer of an electronic document must 
- 10 - 
 
verify that the Portal or other e-Service system uses the names and e-mail 
addresses provided by the parties pursuant to subdivision (b)(1)(A). 
(A) – (C) 
[No change] 
(D) 
Time of Service. Service by e-mail is complete on the 
date it is sent. 
(i) – (ii) 
[No change] 
(iii) 
E-mail service, including e-Service, is treated as 
service by mail for the computation of time. 
(E) 
[No change] 
 (2) 
[No change] 
(A) – (F) 
[No change] 
 
(c) – (h) 
[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 to rule 1.080Florida Rule of 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 
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[No change] 
 
RULE 1.260. 
SURVIVOR; SUBSTITUTION OF PARTIES 
 
(a) 
Death. 
(1) 
If a party dies and the claim is not thereby extinguished, the 
court may order substitution of the proper parties. The motion for substitution may 
be made by any party or by the successors or representatives of the deceased party 
and, together with the notice of hearing, shall be served on all parties as provided 
in rule 1.080Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 and upon persons not 
parties in the manner provided for the service of a summons. Unless the motion for 
substitution is made within 90 days after the death is suggested upon the record by 
service of a statement of the fact of the death in the manner provided for the 
service of the motion, the action shall be dismissed as to the deceased party. 
(2) 
[No change] 
(b) – (d) 
[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 rule 1.080Florida Rule of 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 or e-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 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 
- 12 - 
 
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 1.410. 
SUBPOENA 
 
(a) – (b) 
[No change] 
(c) 
For Production of Documentary Evidence. A subpoena may also 
command the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, documents 
(including electronically stored information), or tangible things designated therein, 
but the court, upon motion made promptly and in any event at or before the time 
specified in the subpoena for compliance therewith, may (1) quash or modify the 
subpoena if it is unreasonable and oppressive, or (2) condition denial of the motion 
on the advancement by the person in whose behalf the subpoena is issued of the 
reasonable cost of producing the books, documents, or tangible things. If a 
subpoena does not specify a form for producing electronically stored information, 
the person responding must produce it in a form or forms in which it is ordinarily 
maintained or in a reasonably usable form or forms. A person responding to a 
subpoena may object to discovery of electronically stored information from 
sources that the person identifies as not reasonably accessible because of undue 
costs or burden. On motion to compel discovery or to quash, the person from 
whom discovery is sought must show that the information sought or the form 
requested is not reasonably accessible because of undue costs or burden. If that 
showing is made, the court may nonetheless order discovery from such sources or 
in such forms if the requesting party shows good cause, considering the limitations 
set out in rule 1.280(d)(2). The court may specify conditions of the discovery, 
including ordering that some or all of the expenses of the discovery be paid by the 
party seeking the discovery. A party seeking a production of evidence at trial 
which would be subject to a subpoena may compel such production by serving a 
notice to produce such evidence on an adverse party as provided in rule 
1.080Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. Such notice shall have the 
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same effect and be subject to the same limitations as a subpoena served on the 
party. 
(d) – (h) 
[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 rule 1.080Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. 
(d) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
Court Commentary 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 1.442. 
PROPOSALS FOR SETTLEMENT 
 
(a) – (b) 
[No change] 
(c) 
Form and Content of Proposal for Settlement. 
(1) 
A proposal shall be in writing and shall identify the applicable 
Florida law under which it is being made. 
(2) 
A proposal shall: 
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(A) 
name the party or parties making the proposal and the 
party or parties to whom the proposal is being made; 
(B) 
state that the proposal resolves all damages that would 
otherwise be awarded in a final judgment in the action in which the proposal is 
served, subject to subdivision (F); 
(C) 
state with particularity any relevant conditions; 
(D) 
state the total amount of the proposal and state with 
particularity all nonmonetary terms of the proposal; 
(E) 
state with particularity the amount proposed to settle a 
claim for punitive damages, if any; 
(F) 
state whether the proposal includes attorneys’ fees and 
whether attorneys’ fee are part of the legal claim; and 
(G) 
include a certificate of service in the form required by 
rule 1.080Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516. 
(3) – (4) 
[No change] 
(d) – (j) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No Change] 
 
RULE 1.510. 
SUMMARY JUDGMENT 
(a) – (b) 
[No change] 
(c) 
Motion and Proceedings Thereon. The motion must state with 
particularity the grounds upon which it is based and the substantial matters of law 
to be argued and must specifically identify any affidavits, answers to 
interrogatories, admissions, depositions, and other materials as would be 
admissible in evidence (“summary judgment evidence”) on which the movant 
relies. The movant must serve the motion at least 20 days before the time fixed for 
the hearing, and must also serve at that time a copy of any summary judgment 
- 15 - 
 
evidence on which the movant relies that has not already been filed with the court. 
The adverse party must identify, by notice served pursuant to rule 1.080Florida 
Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 at least 5 days prior to the day of the hearing 
if service by mail is authorized, or delivered, electronically filed, or sent by e-mail 
no later than 5:00 p.m. 2 business days prior to the day of the hearing, any 
summary judgment evidence on which the adverse party relies. To the extent that 
summary judgment evidence has not already been filed with the court, the adverse 
party must serve a copy on the movant pursuant to rule 1.080Florida Rule of 
Judicial Administration 2.516 at least 5 days prior to the day of the hearing if 
service by mail is authorized, or by delivery, electronic filing, or sending by e-mail 
to the movant’s attorney no later than 5:00 p.m. 2 business days prior to the day of 
hearing. The judgment sought must be rendered immediately if the pleadings and 
summary judgment evidence on file show that there is no genuine issue as to any 
material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. 
A summary judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of 
liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages. 
(d) – (g) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
RULE 3.040. 
COMPUTATION OF TIME 
Computation of time shall be governed by Florida Rule of Judicial 
Administration 2.514(a), except for the periods of time of less than 7 days 
contained in rules 3.130, 3.132(a) and (c), and 3.133(a).  
Committee Notes  
[No change] 
Court Commentary 
[No change] 
 
RULE 3.070. 
ADDITIONAL TIME AFTER SERVICE BY MAIL, 
WHEN PERMITTED, OR E-MAIL 
- 16 - 
 
Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some 
proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice or other 
document on the party and the notice or document is served on the party by mail, 
when permitted, or e-mail, 3 days shall be added to the prescribed period. 
Committee Notes 
1968 Adoption. This is the same as rule 1.6(e), Florida Rules of Civil 
Procedure, except for the omission of subdivision (c) of the civil rules, which 
appears to be inapplicable to criminal cases. 
1972 Amendment. Same as prior rule. 
 
RULE 9.100. 
ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS 
 
(a) – (j) 
[No change] 
(k) 
Reply. Within 2030 days thereafter or such other time set by the 
court, the petitioner may serve a reply, which shall not exceed 15 pages in length, 
and supplemental appendix. 
(l) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
Court Commentary 
[No change] 
 
RULE 9.110. 
APPEAL PROCEEDINGS TO REVIEW FINAL ORDERS 
OF LOWER TRIBUNALS AND ORDERS GRANTING 
NEW TRIAL IN JURY AND NONJURY CASES 
(a) – (f) 
[No change] 
(g) 
Cross-Appeal. An appellee may cross-appeal by serving a notice 
within 1015 days of service of the appellant’s timely filed notice of appeal or 
- 17 - 
 
within the time prescribed for filing a notice of appeal, whichever is later. The 
notice of cross-appeal, accompanied by any filing fees prescribed by law, shall be 
filed either before service or immediately thereafter in the same manner as the 
notice of appeal. 
(h) – (m) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
Court Commentary 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.120. 
DISCRETIONARY PROCEEDINGS TO REVIEW 
DECISIONS OF DISTRICT COURTS OF APPEAL 
 
(a) – (c) 
[No change] 
(d) 
Briefs on Jurisdiction. The petitioner’s brief, limited solely to the 
issue of the supreme court’s jurisdiction and accompanied by an appendix 
containing only a conformed copy of the decision of the district court of appeal, 
shall be served within 10 days of filing the notice. The respondent’s brief on 
jurisdiction shall be served within 2030 days after service of petitioner’s brief. 
Formal requirements for both briefs are specified in rule 9.210. No reply brief shall 
be permitted. If jurisdiction is invoked under rule 9.030(a)(2)(A)(v) (certifications 
of questions of great public importance by the district courts of appeal to the 
supreme court), no briefs on jurisdiction shall be filed. 
(e) – (f) 
[No change]  
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
RULE 9.125. 
REVIEW OF TRIAL COURT ORDERS AND 
JUDGMENTS CERTIFIED BY THE DISTRICT COURTS 
OF APPEAL AS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE 
- 18 - 
 
RESOLUTION BY THE SUPREME COURT OF 
FLORIDA 
 
(a) – (c) 
[No change] 
(d) 
Response. Any party may file a response within 510 days of the 
service of the suggestion. 
(e) – (g) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
RULE 9.130. 
PROCEEDINGS TO REVIEW NONFINAL ORDERS 
AND SPECIFIED FINAL ORDERS 
(a) – (f) 
[No change] 
(g) 
Cross-Appeal. An appellee may cross-appeal the order or orders 
designated by the appellant, to review any ruling described in subdivisions (a)(3)–
(a)(5), by serving a notice within 1015 days of service of the appellant’s timely 
filed notice of appeal or within the time prescribed for filing a notice of appeal, 
whichever is later. A notice of cross-appeal, accompanied by any filing fees 
prescribed by law, shall be filed either before service or immediately thereafter in 
the same manner as the notice of appeal. 
(h) – (i) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.140.  
APPEAL PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES 
 
(a) 
[No change] 
(b) 
Appeals by Defendant. 
- 19 - 
 
(1) – (3) 
[No change] 
(4) 
Cross-Appeal. A defendant may cross-appeal by serving a 
notice within 1015 days of service of the state’s notice or service of an order on a 
motion pursuant to Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(b)(2). Review of 
cross-appeals before trial is limited to related issues resolved in the same order 
being appealed. 
(c) 
Appeals by the State. 
(1) – (2) 
[No change] 
(3) 
Commencement. The state shall file the notice prescribed by 
rule 9.110(d) with the clerk of the lower tribunal within 15 days of rendition of the 
order to be reviewed; provided that in an appeal by the state under rule 
9.140(c)(1)(K), the state’s notice of cross-appeal shall be filed within 1015 days of 
service of defendant’s notice or service of an order on a motion pursuant to Florida 
Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.800(b)(2). Copies shall be served on the defendant 
and the attorney of record. An appeal by the state shall stay further proceedings in 
the lower tribunal only by order of the lower tribunal. 
(d) – (i) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
Court Commentary  
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.141. 
REVIEW PROCEEDINGS IN COLLATERAL OR 
POSTCONVICTION CRIMINAL CASES 
(a) 
[No change] 
(b) 
Appeals from Postconviction Proceedings Under Florida Rules of 
Criminal Procedure 3.800(a), 3.801, 3.802, 3.850, or 3.853. 
(1) 
[No change] 
- 20 - 
 
(2) 
Summary Grant or Denial of All Claims Raised in a Motion 
Without Evidentiary Hearing. 
(A) – (B) 
[No change] 
(C) 
Briefs or Responses.  
(i) 
[No change] 
(ii) 
The court may request a response from the 
appellee before ruling, regardless of whether the appellant filed an initial brief. The 
appellant may serve a reply within 2030 days after service of the response. The 
response and reply shall not exceed the page limits set forth in rule 9.210 for 
answer briefs and reply briefs. 
(D) 
[No change] 
(3) 
[No change] 
 (c) – (d) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
RULE 9.142. 
PROCEDURES FOR REVIEW IN DEATH PENALTY 
CASES 
 
(a) 
Procedure in Death Penalty Appeals. 
 
(1) 
[No change] 
(2) 
Briefs; Transcripts. After the record is filed, the clerk will 
promptly establish a briefing schedule allowing the defendant 60 days from the 
date the record is filed, the state 4550 days from the date the defendant’s brief is 
served, and the defendant 3040 days from the date the state’s brief is served to 
serve their respective briefs. On appeals from orders ruling on applications for 
relief under Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure 3.851 or 3.853, and on 
resentencing matters, the schedules set forth in rule 9.140(g) will control.  
- 21 - 
 
(3) – (5) 
[No change] 
(b) 
[No change] 
(c) 
Petitions Seeking Review of Nonfinal Orders in Death Penalty 
Postconviction Proceedings. 
(1) – (7) 
[No change] 
(8) 
Reply. Within 2030 days after service of the response or such 
other time set by the court, the petitioner may serve a reply, which shall not exceed 
15 pages in length, and supplemental appendix. 
(9) – (11) 
[No change] 
(d) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
Criminal Court Steering Committee Notes 
 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.146. 
APPEAL PROCEEDINGS IN JUVENILE DEPENDENCY 
AND TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES 
AND CASES INVOLVING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN 
IN NEED OF SERVICES 
 
(a) – (f) 
[No change] 
(g) 
Special Procedures and Time Limitations Applicable to Appeals 
of Final Orders in Dependency or Termination of Parental Rights 
Proceedings. 
(1) – (2) 
[No change] 
(3) 
Briefs. 
- 22 - 
 
(A) 
[No change] 
(B) 
Times for Service. The initial brief shall be served 
within 2030 days of service of the record on appeal or the index to the record on 
appeal. The answer brief shall be served within 2030 days of service of the initial 
brief. The reply brief, if any, shall be served within 1015 days of the service of the 
answer brief. In any appeal or cross-appeal, if more than 1 initial or answer brief is 
authorized, the responsive brief shall be served within 20 days after the last initial 
brief or within 10 days after the last answer brief was served.  If the last authorized 
initial or answer brief is not served, the responsive brief shall be served within 20 
days after the last authorized initial brief or within 10 days after the last authorized 
answer brief could have been timely served. 
(4) – (7) 
[No change] 
(h) 
[No change] 
(i) 
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel for Parents’ Claims—Special 
Procedures and Time Limitations Applicable to Appeals of Orders in 
Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings Involving Ineffective Assistance 
of Counsel Claims. 
(1) 
[No change] 
(2) 
Rendition. A motion claiming ineffective assistance of counsel 
filed in accordance with Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.530 shall toll 
rendition of the order terminating parental rights under Florida Rule of Appellate 
Procedure 9.020 until the lower tribunal files a signed, written order on the motion, 
except as provided by Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.530.  
 (3) 
[No change] 
(4) 
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Motion Filed After 
Commencement of Appeal. If an appeal is pending, a parent may file a motion 
claiming ineffective assistance of counsel pursuant to Florida Rule of Juvenile 
Procedure 8.530 if the filing occurs within 20 days of rendition of the order 
terminating parental rights.  
(A) 
Stay of Appellate Proceeding. A parent or counsel 
appointed pursuant to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.530 shall file a notice 
of a timely-filedtimely filed, pending motion claiming ineffective assistance of 
- 23 - 
 
counsel. The notice automatically stays the appeal until the lower tribunal renders 
an order disposing of the motion. 
(B) 
[No change] 
(C) 
Duties of the Clerk,; Preparation and 
TransmittalTransmission of Supplemental Record. If the clerk of circuit court 
has already transmitted the record on appeal of the order terminating parental 
rights, the clerk shall automatically supplement the record on appeal with any 
motion pursuant to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.530, the resulting order, 
and the transcript from the hearing on the motion. The clerk shall electronically 
transmit the supplement to the court and serve the parties within 5 days of the 
filing of the order ruling on the motion, or within 5 days of filing of the transcript 
from the hearing on the motion by the designated court reporter, whichever is later. 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.180. 
APPEAL PROCEEDINGS TO REVIEW WORKERS’ 
COMPENSATION CASES 
(a) – (e) 
[No change] 
(f) 
Record Contents; Final Orders. 
(1) – (4) 
[No change] 
(5) 
Costs. 
(A) 
[No change] 
(B) 
Deposit of Estimated Costs. Within 1520 days after the 
notice of estimated costs is served, the appellant shall deposit a sum of money 
equal to the estimated costs with the lower tribunal. 
(C) – (E) 
[No change] 
(6) 
Transcript(s) of Proceedings. 
(A) 
[No change] 
- 24 - 
 
(B) 
Objection to Court Reporter or Transcriptionist 
Selected. Any party may object to the court reporter or transcriptionist selected by 
filing written objections with the judge who made the selection within 1520 days 
after service of notice of the selection. Within 5 days after filing the objection, the 
judge shall hold a hearing on the issue. In such a case, the time limits mandated by 
these rules shall be appropriately extended. 
(C) 
[No change] 
(7) – (9) 
[No change] 
(g) 
Relief From Filing Fee and Costs; Indigency. 
(1) – (2) 
[No change] 
(3) 
Costs of Preparation of Record. 
(A) 
[No change] 
(B) 
Time. The verified petition to be relieved of costs must 
be filed within 1520 days after service of the notice of estimated costs. A verified 
petition filed prior to the date of service of the notice of estimated costs shall be 
deemed not timely. 
(C) – (E) 
[No change] 
(F) 
Hearing on Petition to Be Relieved of Costs. After 
giving 15 days’ notice to the Division of Workers’ Compensation and all parties, 
the lower tribunal shall promptly hold a hearing and rule on the merits of the 
petition to be relieved of costs. However, if no objection to the petition is filed by 
the division or a party within 2030 days after the petition is served, the lower 
tribunal may enter an order on the merits of the petition without a hearing. 
(G) – (I) 
[No change] 
(h) – (i) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
- 25 - 
 
RULE 9.200. 
THE RECORD 
 
(a) 
[No change] 
(b) 
Transcript(s) of Proceedings. 
(1) – (4) 
[No change] 
(5) 
Statement of Evidence or Proceedings. If no report of the 
proceedings was made, or if the transcript is unavailable, a party may prepare a 
statement of the evidence or proceedings from the best available means, including 
the party’s recollection. The statement shall be served on all other parties, who 
may serve objections or proposed amendments to it within 1015 days of service. 
Thereafter, the statement and any objections or proposed amendments shall be 
filed with the lower tribunal for settlement and approval. As settled and approved, 
the statement shall be included by the clerk of the lower tribunal in the record. 
(c) 
Cross-Appeals. Within 20 days of filing the notice of appeal, a cross-
appellant may direct that additional documents, exhibits, or transcript(s) be 
included in the record. If less than the entire record is designated, the cross-
appellant shall serve, with the directions, a statement of the judicial acts to be 
reviewed. The cross-appellee shall have 1015 days after such service to direct 
further additions. The time for preparation and transmittal of the record shall be 
extended by 10 days. 
(d) – (f) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.210. 
BRIEFS 
 
(a) – (e) 
[No change] 
(f) 
Times for Service of Briefs. The times for serving jurisdiction and 
initial briefs are prescribed by rules 9.110, 9.120, 9.130, and 9.140. Unless 
otherwise required, the answer brief shall be served within 2030 days after service 
of the initial brief; the reply brief, if any, shall be served within 2030 days after 
service of the answer brief; and the cross-reply brief, if any, shall be served within 
- 26 - 
 
2030 days thereafter. In any appeal or cross-appeal, if more than 1 initial or answer 
brief is authorized, the responsive brief shall be served within 20 days after the last 
initial or answer brief was served.  If the last authorized initial or answer brief is 
not served, the responsive brief shall be served within 20 days after the last 
authorized initial or answer brief could have been timely served. 
(g) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
Court Commentary  
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.300. 
MOTIONS 
 
(a) 
Contents of Motion; Response. Unless otherwise prescribed by these 
rules, an application for an order or other relief available under these rules shall be 
made by filing a motion therefor. The motion shall state the grounds on which it is 
based, the relief sought, argument in support thereof, and appropriate citations of 
authority. A motion for an extension of time shall, and other motions if appropriate 
may, contain a certificate that the movant’s counsel has consulted opposing 
counsel and that the movant’s counsel is authorized to represent that opposing 
counsel either has no objection or will promptly file an objection. A motion may be 
accompanied by an appendix, which may include affidavits and other appropriate 
supporting documents not contained in the record. With the exception of motions 
filed pursuant to rule 9.410(b), a party may serve 1 response to a motion within 
1015 days of service of the motion. The court may shorten or extend the time for 
response to a motion. 
(b) – (d) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.320. 
ORAL ARGUMENT 
 
- 27 - 
 
Oral argument may be permitted in any proceeding. A request for oral 
argument shall be in a separate document served by a party: 
(a) 
in appeals, not later than 1015 days after the last brief is due to 
be served; 
(b) 
in proceedings commenced by the filing of a petition, not later 
than 1015 days after the reply is due to be served; and 
(c) 
[No change] 
Each side will be allowed 20 minutes for oral argument, except in capital cases in 
which each side will be allowed 30 minutes. On its own motion or that of a party, 
the court may require, limit, expand, or dispense with oral argument. 
 
RULE 9.330.  
REHEARING; CLARIFICATION; CERTIFICATION; 
WRITTEN OPINION 
 
(a) 
Time for Filing; Contents; Response.  
(1) – (2) 
[No change] 
(3) 
Response. A response may be served within 1015 days of 
service of the motion. 
(b) 
[No change] 
(c) 
Exception; Bond Validation Proceedings. A motion for rehearing or 
for clarification of an order or decision in proceedings for the validation of bonds 
or certificates of indebtedness as provided by rule 9.030(a)(1)(B)(ii) may be filed 
within 10 days of an order or decision or within such other time set by the court. A 
reply may be served within 510 days of service of the motion. The mandate shall 
issue forthwith if a timely motion has not been filed. A timely motion shall receive 
immediate consideration by the court and, if denied, the mandate shall issue 
forthwith. 
(d) – (e) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
- 28 - 
 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.331. 
DETERMINATION OF CAUSES IN A DISTRICT 
COURT OF APPEAL EN BANC 
 
(a) – (c) 
[No change] 
(d) 
Rehearings En Banc. 
(1) 
Generally. A rehearing en banc may be ordered by a district 
court of appeal on its own motion or on motion of a party. Within the time 
prescribed by rule 9.330, a party may move for an en banc rehearing solely on the 
grounds that the case or issue is of exceptional importance or that such 
consideration is necessary to maintain uniformity in the court’s decisions. A 
motion based on any other ground shall be stricken. A response may be served 
within 1015 days of service of the motion. A vote will not be taken on the motion 
unless requested by a judge on the panel that heard the proceeding, or by any judge 
in regular active service on the court. Judges who did not sit on the panel are under 
no obligation to consider the motion unless a vote is requested. 
(2) – (3) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
Court Commentary 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.350. 
DISMISSAL OF CAUSES 
 
(a) 
[No change] 
(b) 
Voluntary Dismissal. A proceeding of an appellant or a petitioner 
may be dismissed before a decision on the merits by filing a notice of dismissal 
with the clerk of the court without affecting the proceedings filed by joinder or 
cross-appeal; provided that dismissal shall not be effective until 1015 days after 
service of the notice of appeal or until 10 days after the time prescribed by rule 
9.110(b), whichever is later. In a proceeding commenced under rule 9.120, 
- 29 - 
 
dismissal shall not be effective until 10 days after the serving of the notice to 
invoke discretionary jurisdiction or until 10 days after the time prescribed by rule 
9.120(b), whichever is later. 
(c) – (d) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.360. 
PARTIES 
 
(a) 
Joinder for Realignment as Appellant or Petitioner. An appellee or 
respondent who desires to realign as an appellant or petitioner shall serve a notice 
of joinder no later than the latest of the following:  
(1) 
within 1015 days of service of a timely filed petition or notice 
of appeal or petition;  
(2) – (3) 
[No change]  
The notice of joinder, accompanied by any filing fees prescribed by law, shall be 
filed either before service or immediately thereafter. The body of the notice shall 
set forth the proposed new caption. Upon filing of the notice and payment of the 
fee, the clerk shall change the caption to reflect the realignment of the parties in the 
notice. 
(b) – (c) 
[No change] 
Committee Notes 
[No change] 
 
 
RULE 9.410. 
SANCTIONS 
 
(a) 
[No change] 
(b) 
Motion by a Party. 
(1) – (2) 
[No change] 
- 30 - 
 
(3) 
Initial Service. A copy of a motion for attorneys’ fees as a 
sanction must initially be served only on the party against whom sanctions are 
sought. That motion shall be served no later than the time for serving any permitted 
response to a challenged document or, if no response is permitted as of right, 
within 1520 days after a challenged document is served or a challenged claim, 
defense, contention, allegation, or denial is made at oral argument. A certificate of 
service that complies with rule 9.420(d) and that reflects service pursuant to this 
subdivision shall accompany the motion and shall be taken as prima facie proof of 
the date of service pursuant to this subdivision. A certificate of filing pursuant to 
subdivision (b)(4) of this rule shall also accompany the motion, but should remain 
undated and unsigned at the time of the initial service pursuant to this subdivision. 
(4) 
[No change] 
(5) 
Response. A party against whom sanctions are sought may 
serve 1 response to the motion within 1015 days of the final service of the motion. 
The court may shorten or extend the time for response to the motion. 
Committee Notes 
[No change]