Title: In Re: Amendments To The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar – Rules 6-12.3 and 6-12.4 (Basic Skills Course Requirements)
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: SC09-1427
State: Florida
Issuer: Florida Supreme Court
Date: February 4, 2010

Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC09-1427 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES REGULATING THE FLORIDA 
BAR - RULES 6-12.3 AND 6-12.4 (BASIC SKILLS COURSE 
REQUIREMENTS). 
 
[February 4, 2010] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
This matter is before the Court on the petition of The Florida Bar proposing 
amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar.  See R. Regulating Fla. Bar 
1-12.1.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 15, Fla. Const. 
The Florida Bar requests that the Court amend the basic skills course 
requirement in both Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 6-12.3, Requirements, and 6-
12.4, Deferment and Exemption.  Prior to filing its petition with the Court, the Bar 
published its proposed amendments in the July 1, 2009, edition of The Florida Bar 
News.  No comments were received. 
The amendments eliminate the requirement for in-person attendance at the 
three basic skills courses and allow the Bar to offer basic skills courses in-person, 
electronically, and on-line.  However, the amendments do not change the 
 
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requirement of in-person attendance for the Practicing with Professionalism 
course.  See R. Regulating Fla. Bar 6-12.3(a)(1). 
 
Accordingly, upon consideration of the proposed amendments, we hereby 
adopt the amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar as provided in the 
appendix to this opinion.  New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are 
indicated by struck-through type.  The amendments shall become effective 30 days 
from the date of this opinion. 
It is so ordered. 
QUINCE, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, CANADY, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and PERRY, JJ., concurring. 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
 
Original Proceeding – Rules Regulating the Florida Bar 
 
John F. Harkness, Jr., Executive Director, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
 
 
RULE 6-12.3   REQUIREMENT 
 
(a)  Course Components.  Compliance with BSCR shall include in-person 
attendance at: 
 
(1) in-person attendance at a 1-day Practicing with Professionalism 
program sponsored by the YLD; and 
 
(2) completion of 3 elective, basic, substantive continuing legal education 
programs sponsored by the YLD. 
 
(b)  Time for Completion.  [No change] 
 
 
RULE 6-12.4   DEFERMENT AND EXEMPTION 
 
(a)  Deferment of Practicing with Professionalism Requirement.  [No 
Change]   
 
 
(b)  Deferment of Basic Level YLD Courses. 
 
(1)  Deferment Eligibility.  [No change] 
 
 
(2) Deferment Expiration.  A deferment of the requirements of rule 6-
12.3(a)(2) as provided under this rule shall expire at the time the member is no 
longer eligible for deferment.  Upon expiration, a member must: 
 
(A)  promptly notify The Florida Bar in writing of the date deferment 
expired; and 
 
(B)  attendcomplete 3 elective, basic, substantive continuing legal 
education programs sponsored by the YLD within 24 months of deferment 
expiration. 
 
(c)  Exemption.  [No change]