Case Name: The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF the UNITED STATES, a New York corporation, Petitioner, v. The Honorable Margaret T. WALLER, etc., Respondent
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1995-09-01
Citations: 659 So. 2d 490
Docket Number: No. 95-1675
Parties: The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF the UNITED STATES, a New York corporation, Petitioner, v. The Honorable Margaret T. WALLER, etc., Respondent.
Judges: GOSHORN and THOMPSON, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 659
Pages: 490–491

Head Matter:
The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF the UNITED STATES, a New York corporation, Petitioner, v. The Honorable Margaret T. WALLER, etc., Respondent.
No. 95-1675.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District.
Sept. 1, 1995.
Don A. Lynn, P.A., and Andrew M. Brum-by, of Shutts & Bowen, Orlando, for petitioner.
Roland A. Sutcliffe, Jr., and J. Timothy Schulte, of Zimmerman, Shuffield, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A., Orlando, for respondents, Earl M. Crittenden and Arthur E. Langley.
No appearance for respondents, The Honorable Margaret T. Waller, Holopaw Groves Partnership, Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. and Silver Springs Citrus Co-op.

Opinion:
GRIFFIN, Judge.
Although the factual predicate presented below creates a close question of law, we conclude that the motion and supporting affidavits are legally sufficient to state a reasonable fear on the part of petitioner that petitioner would not receive a fair hearing or trial before the currently assigned judge. We do not credit the principal contention of respondents Crittenden and Langley that the motion to disqualify was untimely filed. See Fla.R.Jud.Admin. 2.160(e). It was promptly filed after this judge was formally assigned. Accordingly, the writ of prohibition is issued.
WRIT GRANTED.
GOSHORN and THOMPSON, JJ., concur.