reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
FL Stat § 44.107 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.107 - Immunity for Arbitrators, Mediators, and Mediator Trainees.

44.107 Immunity for arbitrators, mediators, and mediator trainees.—(1) Arbitrators serving under s. 44.103 or s. 44.104, mediators serving under s. 44.102, and trainees fulfilling the mentorship requirements for certification by the Supreme Court as a mediator shall have judicial immunity in the same manner and to the same extent as a judge.(2) A person serving as a mediator in any noncourt-ordered mediation shall have immunity from liability arising from the performance of that person’s duties while acting within the scope of the mediation function if such mediation is:(a) Required by statute or agency rule or order;(b) Conducted under ss. 44.401-44.406 by express agreement of the mediation parties; or(c) Facilitated by a mediator certified by the Supreme Court, unless the mediation parties expressly agree not to be bound by ss. 44.401-44.406.The mediator does not have immunity if he or she acts in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property.(3) A person serving under s. 44.106 to assist the Supreme Court in performing its disciplinary function shall have absolute immunity from liability arising from the performance of that person’s duties while acting within the scope of that person’s appointed function.History.—s. 5, ch. 89-31; s. 7, ch. 90-188; s. 1, ch. 95-421; s. 2, ch. 2004-291.Note.—Former s. 44.307.
FL Stat § 44.108 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.108 - Funding of Mediation and Arbitration.

44.108 Funding of mediation and arbitration.—(1) Mediation and arbitration should be accessible to all parties regardless of financial status. A filing fee of $1 is levied on all proceedings in the circuit or county courts to fund mediation and arbitration services which are the responsibility of the Supreme Court pursuant to the provisions of s. 44.106. The clerk of the court shall forward the moneys collected to the Department of Revenue for deposit in the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund.(2) When court-ordered mediation services are provided by a circuit court’s mediation program, the following fees, unless otherwise established in the General Appropriations Act, shall be collected by the clerk of court:(a) One-hundred twenty dollars per person per scheduled session in family mediation when the parties’ combined income is greater than $50,000, but less than $100,000 per year;(b) Sixty dollars per person per scheduled session in family mediation when the parties’ combined income is less than $50,000; or(c) Sixty dollars per person per scheduled session in county court cases involving an amount in controversy not exceeding $15,000.No mediation fees shall be assessed under this subsection in residential eviction cases, against a party found to be indigent, or for any small claims action. Fees collected by the clerk of court pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund to fund court-ordered mediation. The clerk of court may deduct $1 per fee assessment for processing this fee. The clerk of the court shall submit to the chief judge of the circuit and to the Office of the State Courts Administrator, no later than 30 days after the end of each quarter of the fiscal year, a report specifying the amount of funds collected and remitted to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund under this section and any other section during the previous quarter of the fiscal year. In addition to identifying the total aggregate collections and remissions from all statutory sources, the report must identify collections and remissions by each statutory source.History.—s. 6, ch. 89-31; s. 8, ch. 90-188; s. 6, ch. 91-152; s. 8, ch. 2001-122; s. 12, ch. 2001-380; s. 66, ch. 2003-402; s. 44, ch. 2004-265; s. 33, ch. 2005-236; s. 24, ch. 2008-111; s. 12, ch. 2010-153; s. 4, ch. 2011-133; s. 11, ch. 2019-58.Note.—Former s. 44.308.
FL Stat § 44.401 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.401 - Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act.

44.401 Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act.—Sections 44.401-44.406 may be known by the popular name the “Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act.”History.—s. 4, ch. 2004-291.
FL Stat § 44.402 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.402 - Scope.

44.402 Scope.—(1) Except as otherwise provided, ss. 44.401-44.406 apply to any mediation:(a) Required by statute, court rule, agency rule or order, oral or written case-specific court order, or court administrative order;(b) Conducted under ss. 44.401-44.406 by express agreement of the mediation parties; or(c) Facilitated by a mediator certified by the Supreme Court, unless the mediation parties expressly agree not to be bound by ss. 44.401-44.406.(2) Notwithstanding any other provision, the mediation parties may agree in writing that any or all of s. 44.405(1), s. 44.405(2), or s. 44.406 will not apply to all or part of a mediation proceeding.History.—s. 4, ch. 2004-291.
FL Stat § 44.403 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.403 - Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act; Definitions.

44.403 Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege Act; definitions.—As used in ss. 44.401-44.406, the term:(1) “Mediation communication” means an oral or written statement, or nonverbal conduct intended to make an assertion, by or to a mediation participant made during the course of a mediation, or prior to mediation if made in furtherance of a mediation. The commission of a crime during a mediation is not a mediation communication.(2) “Mediation participant” means a mediation party or a person who attends a mediation in person or by telephone, video conference, or other electronic means.(3) “Mediation party” or “party” means a person participating directly, or through a designated representative, in a mediation and a person who:(a) Is a named party;(b) Is a real party in interest; or(c) Would be a named party or real party in interest if an action relating to the subject matter of the mediation were brought in a court of law.(4) “Mediator” means a neutral, impartial third person who facilitates the mediation process. The mediator’s role is to reduce obstacles to communication, assist in identifying issues, explore alternatives, and otherwise facilitate voluntary agreements to resolve disputes, without prescribing what the resolution must be.(5) “Subsequent proceeding” means an adjudicative process that follows a mediation, including related discovery.History.—s. 4, ch. 2004-291.
FL Stat § 44.404 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.404 - Mediation; Duration.

44.404 Mediation; duration.—(1) A court-ordered mediation begins when an order is issued by the court and ends when:(a) A partial or complete settlement agreement, intended to resolve the dispute and end the mediation, is signed by the parties and, if required by law, approved by the court;(b) The mediator declares an impasse by reporting to the court or the parties the lack of an agreement;(c) The mediation is terminated by court order, court rule, or applicable law; or(d) The mediation is terminated, after party compliance with the court order to appear at mediation, by:1. Agreement of the parties; or2. One party giving written notice to all other parties in a multiparty mediation that the one party is terminating its participation in the mediation. Under this circumstance, the termination is effective only for the withdrawing party.(2) In all other mediations, the mediation begins when the parties agree to mediate or as required by agency rule, agency order, or statute, whichever occurs earlier, and ends when:(a) A partial or complete settlement agreement, intended to resolve the dispute and end the mediation, is signed by the parties and, if required by law, approved by the court;(b) The mediator declares an impasse to the parties;(c) The mediation is terminated by court order, court rule, or applicable law; or(d) The mediation is terminated by:1. Agreement of the parties; or2. One party giving notice to all other parties in a multiparty mediation that the one party is terminating its participation in the mediation. Under this circumstance, the termination is effective only for the withdrawing party.History.—s. 4, ch. 2004-291.
FL Stat § 44.406 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title V - Judicial Branch|Chapter 44 - Mediation Alternatives to Judicial Action|44.406 - Confidentiality; Civil Remedies.

44.406 Confidentiality; civil remedies.—(1) Any mediation participant who knowingly and willfully discloses a mediation communication in violation of s. 44.405 shall, upon application by any party to a court of competent jurisdiction, be subject to remedies, including:(a) Equitable relief.(b) Compensatory damages.(c) Attorney’s fees, mediator’s fees, and costs incurred in the mediation proceeding.(d) Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the application for remedies under this section.(2) Notwithstanding any other law, an application for relief filed under this section may not be commenced later than 2 years after the date on which the party had a reasonable opportunity to discover the breach of confidentiality, but in no case more than 4 years after the date of the breach.(3) A mediation participant shall not be subject to a civil action under this section for lawful compliance with the provisions of s. 119.07.History.—s. 4, ch. 2004-291.
FL Stat § 45.011 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.011 - Definitions.

45.011 Definitions.—In all statutes about practice and procedure “plaintiff” means any party seeking affirmative relief whether plaintiff, counterclaimant, cross-claimant; or third-party plaintiff, counterclaimant or cross-claimant; “defendant” means any party against whom such relief is sought; “bond with surety” means a bond with two good and sufficient sureties, each with unencumbered property not subject to any exemption afforded by law equal in value to the penal sum of the bond or a bond with a licensed surety company as surety or a cash deposit conditioned as for a bond.History.—s. 1, ch. 67-254.
FL Stat § 45.021 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.021 - Applicability.

45.021 Applicability.—Chapters 45-51, 55-57, 68 and 69 apply to all actions, whether heretofore at law or in chancery, unless specifically provided otherwise in such chapters or parts thereof.History.—s. 1, ch. 67-254.
FL Stat § 45.0315 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.0315 - Right of Redemption.

45.0315 Right of redemption.—At any time before the later of the filing of a certificate of sale by the clerk of the court or the time specified in the judgment, order, or decree of foreclosure, the mortgagor or the holder of any subordinate interest may cure the mortgagor’s indebtedness and prevent a foreclosure sale by paying the amount of moneys specified in the judgment, order, or decree of foreclosure, or if no judgment, order, or decree of foreclosure has been rendered, by tendering the performance due under the security agreement, including any amounts due because of the exercise of a right to accelerate, plus the reasonable expenses of proceeding to foreclosure incurred to the time of tender, including reasonable attorney’s fees of the creditor. Otherwise, there is no right of redemption.History.—s. 2, ch. 93-250.
FL Stat § 45.035 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.035 - Clerk’s Fees.

45.035 Clerk’s fees.—In addition to other fees or service charges authorized by law, the clerk shall receive service charges related to the judicial sales procedure set forth in ss. 45.031-45.033 and this section:(1) The clerk shall receive a service charge of $70, from which the clerk shall remit $10 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund, for services in making, recording, and certifying the sale and title, which service charge shall be assessed as costs and shall be advanced by the plaintiff before the sale.(2) If there is a surplus resulting from the sale, the clerk may receive the following service charges, which shall be deducted from the surplus:(a) The clerk may withhold the sum of $28 from the surplus which may only be used for purposes of educating the public as to the rights of homeowners regarding foreclosure proceedings.(b) The clerk is entitled to a service charge of $15 for each disbursement of surplus proceeds, from which the clerk shall remit $5 to the Department of Revenue for deposit into the General Revenue Fund.(3) If the sale is conducted by electronic means, as provided in s. 45.031(10), the clerk shall receive an additional service charge not to exceed $70 for services in conducting or contracting for the electronic sale, which service charge shall be assessed as costs and paid when filing for an electronic sale date. If the clerk requires advance electronic deposits to secure the right to bid, such deposits are not subject to the fee under s. 28.24(11). The portion of an advance deposit from a winning bidder required by s. 45.031(3) shall, upon acceptance of the winning bid, be subject to the fee under s. 28.24(11).History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-175; s. 25, ch. 2008-111; s. 2, ch. 2008-194; s. 3, ch. 2009-21; s. 10, ch. 2009-204; s. 7, ch. 2017-126; s. 6, ch. 2018-71; s. 12, ch. 2019-58; s. 8, ch. 2021-51; s. 17, ch. 2021-116.
FL Stat § 45.041 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.041 - Amendment of Bonds.

45.041 Amendment of bonds.—When any bond required or authorized in any action is defective in form or substance, the party giving the bond may give a new bond which is sufficient in form and substance and the new bond is as sufficient as though given in the first instance. The new bond may be given at any time before a motion attacking the sufficiency of the bond is served. Thereafter the new bond may be given by leave of court and on such terms as the court fixes. Leave to file an amended bond shall be freely given when justice so requires. If any amendment is made to a bond, the amended bond relates back to the commencement of the action and affords protection to the person in whose favor it is given from commencement although it was not theretofore binding on the surety.History.—s. 1, ch. 67-254.
FL Stat § 45.045 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.045 - Limitations on Supersedeas Bond; Exception.

45.045 Limitations on supersedeas bond; exception.—(1) Except for certified class actions subject to s. 768.733, in any civil action brought under any legal theory, the amount of a supersedeas bond necessary to obtain an automatic stay of execution of a judgment granting any type of relief during the entire course of all appeals or discretionary reviews, may not exceed $50 million for each appellant, regardless of the amount of the judgment appealed. The $50 million amount shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index compiled by the United States Department of Labor.(2) In any civil action brought under any legal theory, a party seeking a stay of execution of a judgment pending review of any amount may move the court to reduce the amount of a supersedeas bond required to obtain such a stay. The court, in the interest of justice and for good cause shown, may reduce the supersedeas bond or may set other conditions for the stay with or without a bond. The court may not reduce the supersedeas bond if the appellant has an insurance or indemnification policy applicable to the case. This subsection does not apply to certified class actions subject to s. 768.733.(3) If an appellant has posted a supersedeas bond for an amount less than that which would be required for an automatic stay pursuant to Rule 9.310(b)(1), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, the appellee may engage in discovery for the limited purpose of determining whether the appellant has dissipated or diverted assets outside the course of its ordinary business or is in the process of doing so.(4) If the trial or appellate court determines that an appellant has dissipated or diverted assets outside the course of its ordinary business or is in the process of doing so, the court may enter orders necessary to protect the appellee, require the appellant to post a supersedeas bond in an amount up to, but not more than, the amount that would be required for an automatic stay pursuant to Rule 9.310(b)(1), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure, and impose other remedies and sanctions as the court deems appropriate.History.—s. 1, ch. 2006-280.
FL Stat § 45.051 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.051 - Execution of Supersedeas Bond When Required of the State or Its Political Subdivisions.

45.051 Execution of supersedeas bond when required of the state or its political subdivisions.—(1) When a supersedeas bond is required by the appellate court under Rule 9.310(b)(2), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure or an appeal or other proceeding is taken in any court and there is no court rule or statute exempting the parties from giving supersedeas, cost, or other required bond, the parties are authorized to make and execute the required bond with a corporate surety thereon duly licensed to do business in this state. The premium or other cost for the bond may be paid from the general necessary and regular appropriation of the party taking the appeal, in the case of the state or any of its officers, boards, commissioners or other agencies, and from the county general fund, district school general fund, or otherwise as the case may be, in the case of a political subdivision of the state or any of its officers, boards, commissions or other agencies. The officers of the state and its political subdivisions and the executive officers of their boards, commissions, and other agencies aforesaid, are authorized to make and execute the bonds on behalf of the parties.(2) In connection with an appeal taken by a state employee or official of a judgment against that employee or official in an individual capacity, as part of the legal defense being provided by the state risk management program, the Division of Risk Management may enter into an indemnification agreement for the purpose of securing an appellate supersedeas bond, provided that, under any such agreement, the liability of the State of Florida is limited to the amount of the judgment being appealed and any costs imposed by law or the appropriate court.History.—s. 14, ch. 22854, 1945; s. 4, ch. 71-316; s. 10, ch. 95-280; s. 11, ch. 2001-266.Note.—Former s. 59.14(3).
FL Stat § 45.075 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 45 - Civil Procedure: General Provisions|45.075 - Expedited Trials.

45.075 Expedited trials.—Upon the joint stipulation of the parties to any civil case, the court may conduct an expedited trial as provided in this section. Where two or more plaintiffs or defendants have a unity of interest, such as a husband and wife, they shall be considered one party for the purpose of this section. Unless otherwise ordered by the court or agreed to by the parties with approval of the court, an expedited trial shall be conducted as follows:(1) All discovery shall be completed within 60 days after the court enters an order adopting the joint expedited trial stipulation.(2) All interrogatories and requests for production must be served within 10 days after the court enters the order adopting the joint expedited trial stipulation, and all responses must be served within 20 days after receipt.(3) The court shall determine the number of depositions required.(4) The case may be tried to a jury.(5) The case may be tried within 30 days after the 60-day discovery cutoff, if such schedule would not impose an undue burden on the court calendar.(6) The trial must be limited to 1 day.(7) The jury selection must be limited to 1 hour.(8) The plaintiff will have no more than 3 hours to present its case, including the opening, all testimony and evidence, and the closing.(9) The defendant will have no more than 3 hours to present its case, including the opening, all testimony and evidence, and the closing.(10) The jury may be given “plain language” jury instructions at the beginning of the trial as well as a “plain language” jury verdict form. The parties must agree to the jury instructions and verdict form.(11) The parties may introduce a verified written report of any expert and an affidavit of the expert’s curriculum vitae instead of calling the expert to testify at trial.(12) At trial the parties may use excerpts from depositions, including video depositions, regardless of where the deponent lives or whether the deponent is available to testify.(13) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Florida Evidence Code and the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure apply.(14) The court may refuse to grant continuances of the trial absent extraordinary circumstances.History.—s. 6, ch. 99-225.
FL Stat § 46.011 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 46 - Parties|46.011 - Parties for Contribution.

46.011 Parties for contribution.—When a person executes any bond, note, draft, or bill of exchange and two or more persons execute it jointly with him or her, merely as his or her sureties, or endorse any note or draft or bill of exchange as sureties for the maker or drawer for his or her accommodation and without consideration, said persons are bound to each other for a proportional contribution of the amount of said bond, note, draft, or bill of exchange. If any person is compelled to pay any part of said bond, note, draft, or bill of exchange, he or she may sue his or her cosurety for contribution separately or jointly. Defendants, whether sureties, accommodation joint makers or accommodation endorsers may be sued separately or jointly.History.—s. 1, Feb. 14, 1835; RS 983; GS 1369; s. 1, ch. 6210, 1911; RGS 2565; CGL 4205; s. 2, ch. 67-254; s. 264, ch. 95-147.Note.—Former s. 45.05.
FL Stat § 46.015 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure|Chapter 46 - Parties|46.015 - Release of Parties.

46.015 Release of parties.—(1) A written covenant not to sue or release of a person who is or may be jointly and severally liable with other persons for a claim shall not release or discharge the liability of any other person who may be liable for the balance of such claim.(2) At trial, if any person shows the court that the plaintiff, or his or her legal representative, has delivered a written release or covenant not to sue to any person in partial satisfaction of the damages sued for, the court shall set off this amount from the amount of any judgment to which the plaintiff would be otherwise entitled at the time of rendering judgment.(3) The fact that a written release or covenant not to sue exists or the fact that any person has been dismissed because of such release or covenant not to sue shall not be made known to the jury.History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 80-144; s. 265, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 2000-336.