reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 46 - Parties › 46.021 - Actions; Surviving Death of Party.

46.021 Actions; surviving death of party.—No cause of action dies with the person. All causes of action survive and may be commenced, prosecuted, and defended in the name of the person prescribed by law.
History.—s. 30, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 989; GS 1375; RGS 2571; CGL 4211; s. 1, ch. 26541, 1951; s. 2, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 45.11.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 46 - Parties › 46.031 - Actions by Husband and Wife, Parent or Guardian and Child.

46.031 Actions by husband and wife, parent or guardian and child.—In any action brought by a husband and his wife, parent or guardian and child for an injury done to the wife or child, in which the wife or child is necessarily joined as coplaintiff, the husband, parent or guardian may join claims of any nature in his or her own right.
History.—s. 11, ch. 1096, 1861; RS 1005; GS 1390; RGS 2586; CGL 4226; s. 1, ch. 21886, 1943; s. 1, ch. 28283, 1953; s. 2, ch. 67-254; s. 266, ch. 95-147.
Note.—Former s. 46.09.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 46 - Parties › 46.041 - Joinder of Certain Makers, Endorsers, etc., of Negotiable Instruments.

46.041 Joinder of certain makers, endorsers, etc., of negotiable instruments.—
(1) The makers of negotiable instruments and all other persons who, at or before the execution and delivery thereof, endorsed, guaranteed, or became surety for payment thereof, or are otherwise secondarily liable for payment, may be sued in the same action.
(2) In such action the final judgment shall specify the defendants who are liable for payment only as endorser, surety, guarantor or otherwise secondarily.
(3) When a final judgment authorized by this section is paid by one or more defendants who are liable only as endorser, surety, guarantor, or otherwise secondarily, the holder of such judgment shall, on request, assign such judgment to the defendants paying it. Such defendants are entitled to all the rights and remedies of the original plaintiff to enforce collection from the other defendants who are liable.
History.—ss. 1-3, ch. 6486, 1913; RGS 4733-4735; CGL 6819-6821; s. 2, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 46.11.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 46 - Parties › 46.051 - Joinder of Products Liability Insurers.

46.051 Joinder of products liability insurers.—
(1) No products liability insurer shall be joined as a party defendant in an action to determine the insured’s liability. However, each insurer which does or may provide products liability insurance coverage to pay all or a portion of any judgment which might be entered in the action shall file with the court, under oath, a statement by a corporate officer setting forth the following information with regard to each known policy of insurance:
(a) The name of the insurer;
(b) The name of each insured;
(c) The limits of liability coverage; and
(d) A statement of any policy or coverage defense which said insurer reasonably believes is available to the insurer filing the statement at the time of filing.
(2) The statement required by subsection (1) shall be amended immediately upon discovery of facts calling for an amendment to such statement.
(3) If the statement or any amendment thereto indicates that a policy or coverage defense has been or will be asserted, then the insurer may be joined as a party.
(4) After the rendition of a verdict, or final judgment by the court if the case is tried without a jury, the insurer may be joined as a party and judgment may be entered by the court based upon the statement or statements herein required.
(5) The rules of discovery shall be available to discover the existence of liability insurance coverage and its provisions.
(6) This act is applicable to products liability actions based on either tort or contract causes of action.
History.—ss. 2, 3, ch. 78-418; s. 5, ch. 2000-336.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.011 - Where Actions May Be Begun.

47.011 Where actions may be begun.—Actions shall be brought only in the county where the defendant resides, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in litigation is located. This section shall not apply to actions against nonresidents.
History.—s. 7, Nov. 21, 1829; s. 1, ch. 3721, 1887; RS 998; GS 1383; RGS 2579; CGL 4219; s. 24, ch. 57-1; s. 12, ch. 63-572; s. 6, ch. 65-1; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former s. 46.01.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.021 - Actions Against Defendants Residing in Different Counties.

47.021 Actions against defendants residing in different counties.—Actions against two or more defendants residing in different counties may be brought in any county in which any defendant resides.
History.—s. 10, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 999; GS 1384; RGS 2580; CGL 4220; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former s. 46.02.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.025 - Actions Against Contractors.

47.025 Actions against contractors.—Any venue provision in a contract for improvement to real property which requires legal action involving a resident contractor, subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, or materialman, as defined in
1
part I of chapter 713, to be brought outside this state is void as a matter of public policy. To the extent that the venue provision in the contract is void under this section, any legal action arising out of that contract shall be brought only in this state in the county where the defendant resides, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in litigation is located, unless, after the dispute arises, the parties stipulate to another venue.
History.—s. 9, ch. 99-225; s. 1, ch. 99-386.
1
Note.—As created by s. 9, ch. 99-225. Section 47.025 was also created by s. 1, ch. 99-386, and that version cites to s. 713.01.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.031 - Venue of Receiverships When Property in More Than One Circuit.

47.031 Venue of receiverships when property in more than one circuit.—When an application is made for a receiver of property and it is located in more than one judicial circuit, the court appointing the receiver has jurisdiction over the entire property for the purposes of that action but the application for the receiver must be made to the circuit court in which the principal place of business, residence or office of defendant is located.
History.—s. 1, ch. 4986, 1901; GS 1861; RGS 3106; CGL 4890; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 62.03.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.041 - Actions on Several Causes of Action.

47.041 Actions on several causes of action.—Actions on several causes of action may be brought in any county where any of the causes of action arose. When two or more causes of action joined arose in different counties, venue may be laid in any of such counties, but the court may order separate trials if expedient.
History.—s. 12, ch. 1096, 1861; RS 1000, 1004; GS 1385, 1389; RGS 2581, 2585; CGL 4221, 4225; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former ss. 46.03, 46.08.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.051 - Actions Against Corporations.

47.051 Actions against corporations.—Actions against domestic corporations shall be brought only in the county where such corporation has, or usually keeps, an office for transaction of its customary business, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in litigation is located. Actions against foreign corporations doing business in this state shall be brought in a county where such corporation has an agent or other representative, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in litigation is located.
History.—s. 24, ch. 1639, 1869; RS 1001; s. 1, ch. 5221, 1903; GS 1386; RGS 2582; CGL 4222; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former s. 46.04.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.061 - Action on Promissory Notes.

47.061 Action on promissory notes.—Actions on unsecured negotiable or nonnegotiable promissory notes shall be brought only in the county in which such notes were signed by the maker or one of the makers or in which the maker or one of the makers resides. When any such note was signed by the makers in more than one county, action may be brought thereon in any such county. This section shall be liberally construed in favor of the makers of such notes.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 17134, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4223(1); s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former s. 46.05.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.071 - Jurisdiction Over Navigable Waters.

47.071 Jurisdiction over navigable waters.—When the territorial jurisdiction of a court extends to one bank of any navigable water, such court has jurisdiction across such navigable water from shore to shore. If the territorial jurisdiction of different courts, whether of the same county or not, extends to the opposite bank of any navigable water, such courts have concurrent jurisdiction across said navigable water from shore to shore.
History.—RS 1002; GS 1387; RGS 2583; CGL 4223; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 46.06.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.081 - Military, Naval, or Other Service as Residence.

47.081 Military, naval, or other service as residence.—Any person in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, and the husband or the wife of any such person, if he or she is living within the borders of the state, shall be prima facie a resident of the state for the purpose of maintaining any action.
History.—s. 1, ch. 21966, 1943; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 3, ch. 84-114.
Note.—Former s. 46.12.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.091 - Change of Venue; Power to Grant.

47.091 Change of venue; power to grant.—All courts have power and it is their duty to grant changes of venue as hereinafter provided. The order of transfer shall require the movant or, if the action was initially filed in the improper venue, the initially filing party to pay the filing fee required to file a new action in the court to which the action is moved. The payment of such filing fee shall be considered a transfer fee.
History.—s. 1, ch. 373, 1851; RS 1077; GS 1469; RGS 2668; CGL 4335; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 89-84.
Note.—Former s. 53.01.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.101 - Change of Venue; Application.

47.101 Change of venue; application.—
(1) If a party desires a change of venue he or she may move therefor stating the belief that he or she will not receive a fair trial in the court where the action is pending:
(a) Because the adverse party has an undue influence over the minds of the inhabitants of the county.
(b) Because movant is so odious to the inhabitants of the county that he or she could not receive a fair trial.
(2) Such motion shall be verified and filed not less than 10 days after the action is at issue unless good cause is shown for failure to so file. It shall set forth the facts on which the motion is based and be supported by affidavits of at least two reputable citizens of the county not of kin to the defendant or his or her attorney.
History.—s. 37, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 1079; GS 1471; s. 10, ch. 7838; s. 2, ch. 7852, 1919; RGS 2670; CGL 4337; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334; s. 267, ch. 95-147.
Note.—Former s. 53.03.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.111 - Change of Venue; Denial of Motion.

47.111 Change of venue; denial of motion.—The adverse party has the right to deny the allegations of the motion. The court shall hear the evidence on the motion.
History.—s. 1, ch. 5372, 1905; GS 1474; s. 3, ch. 7852, 1919; RGS 2673; CGL 4340; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 53.04.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.121 - Change of Venue; When Unable to Obtain Jury.

47.121 Change of venue; when unable to obtain jury.—A change of venue shall be granted when it appears impracticable to obtain a qualified jury in the county where the action is pending.
History.—s. 1, ch. 4137, 1893; GS 1472; RGS 2671; CGL 4338; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 53.05.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.122 - Change of Venue; Convenience of Parties or Witnesses or in the Interest of Justice.

47.122 Change of venue; convenience of parties or witnesses or in the interest of justice.—For the convenience of the parties or witnesses or in the interest of justice, any court of record may transfer any civil action to any other court of record in which it might have been brought.
History.—s. 1, ch. 69-83.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.131 - Change of Venue; Second Change, When Permitted.

47.131 Change of venue; second change, when permitted.—When it appears to the court to which an action has been transferred by a change of venue that any of the grounds for change of venue exist in the county to which the action has been transferred, the court may order a second change of venue, but it shall not be made to the county from which it was originally transferred.
History.—s. 2, ch. 4394, 1895; GS 1473; RGS 2672; CGL 4339; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former s. 53.06.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.141 - Change of Venue; Same Jurisdiction.

47.141 Change of venue; same jurisdiction.—The order granting change of venue shall transfer the action to a court of the same jurisdiction in another county. If the judge of such court is disqualified, some other court shall be selected.
History.—RS 1077; s. 1, ch. 4724, 1899; GS 1475; RGS 2675; CGL 4342; s. 12, ch. 17171, 1935; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 11, ch. 73-334.
Note.—Former s. 53.07.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.151 - Change of Venue; to Another County of Circuit.

47.151 Change of venue; to another county of circuit.—If a change of venue is granted on grounds other than the disqualification or prejudice of a judge of the circuit court, the action may be removed to any other county in the same circuit.
History.—s. 1, ch. 4394, 1895; GS 1476; RGS 2676; CGL 4343; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 53.08.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.172 - Change of Venue; Transfer of Papers, Etc.

47.172 Change of venue; transfer of papers, etc.—On a change of venue the clerk of the court in which such action was pending shall transmit all papers filed in said action, a certified copy of all entries of record in the progress docket and a copy of the order of transfer to the court to which the action is transferred, which court has full power to hear and determine the action.
History.—s. 3, ch. 373, 1851; RS 1077; GS 1479; RGS 2679; CGL 4346; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 53.10.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.181 - Change of Venue; Testimony of Witnesses.

47.181 Change of venue; testimony of witnesses.—After a change of venue, testimony of witnesses residing in the county from which the action is removed may be taken in the manner provided for taking testimony of witnesses residing out of the county in which any action is pending.
History.—s. 2, ch. 373, 1851; RS 1077; GS 1480; RGS 2680; CGL 4347; s. 3, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 53.11.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 47 - Venue › 47.191 - Change of Venue; Payment of Costs.

47.191 Change of venue; payment of costs.—No change of venue shall be granted except on condition that the movant, unless otherwise provided by the order of transfer, shall pay all costs that have accrued in the action including the required transfer fee. No change is effective until the costs are paid.
History.—s. 3, ch. 373, 1851; RS 1077; GS 1478; RGS 2678; CGL 4345; s. 3, ch. 67-254; s. 2, ch. 89-84.
Note.—Former s. 53.12.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.011 - Process; How Directed.

48.011 Process; how directed.—Summons, subpoenas, and other process in civil actions run throughout the state. All process except subpoenas shall be directed to all and singular the sheriffs of the state.
History.—s. 1, ch. 4397, 1895; GS 1397; RGS 2594; CGL 4234; s. 2, ch. 29737, 1955; s. 4, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former s. 47.08.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.041 - Service on Minor.

48.041 Service on minor.—
(1) Process against a minor who has never been married shall be served:
(a) By serving a parent or guardian of the minor as provided for in s. 48.031 or, when there is a legal guardian appointed for the minor, by serving the guardian as provided for in s. 48.031.
(b) By serving the guardian ad litem or other person, if one is appointed by the court to represent the minor. Service on the guardian ad litem is unnecessary when he or she appears voluntarily or when the court orders the appearance without service of process on him or her.
(2) In all cases heretofore adjudicated in which process was served on a minor as prescribed by any law heretofore existing, the service was lawfully made, and no proceeding shall be declared irregular or illegal if a guardian ad litem appeared for the minor.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 7853, 1919; CGL 4273, 4274; s. 1, ch. 19175, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4274(13); s. 2, ch. 29737, 1955; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 84-176; s. 270, ch. 95-147.
Note.—Former ss. 47.23-47.25.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.042 - Service on Incompetent.

48.042 Service on incompetent.—
(1) Process against an incompetent shall be served:
(a) By serving two copies of the process to the person who has care or custody of the incompetent or, when there is a legal guardian appointed for the incompetent, by serving the guardian as provided in s. 48.031.
(b) By serving the guardian ad litem or other person, if one is appointed by the court to represent the incompetent. Service on the guardian ad litem is unnecessary when he or she appears voluntarily or when the court orders the appearance without service of process on him or her.
(2) In all cases heretofore adjudicated in which process was served on an incompetent as prescribed by any law heretofore existing, the service was lawfully made, and no proceeding shall be declared irregular or illegal if a guardian ad litem appeared for the incompetent.
History.—s. 2, ch. 84-176; s. 271, ch. 95-147.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.051 - Service on State Prisoners.

48.051 Service on state prisoners.—Process against a state prisoner shall be served on the prisoner.
History.—s. 30, ch. 3883, 1889; RS 3043; GS 4124; RGS 6243; CGL 8580; s. 1, ch. 21992, 1943; s. 1, ch. 25041, 1949; s. 44, ch. 57-121; s. 4, ch. 67-254; ss. 19, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 13, ch. 71-355.
Note.—Former s. 47.26.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.071 - Service on Agents of Nonresidents Doing Business in the State.

48.071 Service on agents of nonresidents doing business in the state.—When any natural person or partnership not residing or having a principal place of business in this state engages in business in this state, process may be served on the person who is in charge of any business in which the defendant is engaged within this state at the time of service, including agents soliciting orders for goods, wares, merchandise, or services. Any process so served is as valid as if served personally on the nonresident person or partnership engaging in business in this state in any action against the person or partnership arising out of such business. A copy of such process with a notice of service on the person in charge of such business must be sent forthwith to the nonresident person or partnership by registered mail; by certified mail, return receipt requested; or by use of a commercial firm regularly engaged in the business of document or package delivery. The party seeking to effectuate service, or the attorney for such party, shall prepare an affidavit of compliance with this section which must be filed before the return day or within such further time as the court may allow.
History.—s. 1, ch. 59-280; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 273, ch. 95-147; s. 4, ch. 2022-190.
Note.—Former s. 47.161.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.101 - Service on Dissolved Corporations, Dissolved Limited Liability Companies, Dissolved Limited Partnerships, and Dissolved Limited Liability Partnerships.

48.101 Service on dissolved corporations, dissolved limited liability companies, dissolved limited partnerships, and dissolved limited liability partnerships.—
(1) Process against the directors of any corporation that was dissolved before July 1, 1990, as trustees of the dissolved corporation must be served on one or more of the directors of the dissolved corporation as trustees thereof and binds all of the directors of the dissolved corporation as trustees thereof.
(2)(a) Process against any other dissolved domestic corporation must be served in accordance with s. 48.081.
(b) In addition, provided that service was first properly attempted on the registered agent pursuant to s. 48.081(2), but was not successful, service may then be attempted as required under s. 48.081(3). In addition to the persons listed in s. 48.081(3), service may then be attempted on the person appointed by the circuit court as the trustee, custodian, or receiver under s. 607.1405(6).
(c) A party attempting to serve a dissolved domestic for-profit corporation under this section may petition the court to appoint one of the persons specified in s. 607.1405(6) to receive service of process on behalf of the corporation.
(3)(a) Process against any dissolved domestic limited liability company must be served in accordance with s. 48.062.
(b) In addition, provided that service was first properly attempted on the registered agent pursuant to s. 48.062(2), but was not successful, service may then be attempted as required under s. 48.062(3). In addition to the persons listed in s. 48.062(3), service on a dissolved domestic limited liability company may be made on the person appointed as the liquidator, trustee, or receiver under s. 605.0709.
(c) A party attempting to serve a dissolved domestic limited liability company under this section may petition the court to appoint one of the persons specified in s. 605.0709(5) to receive service of process on behalf of the limited liability company.
(4) Process against any dissolved domestic limited partnership must be served in accordance with s. 48.061.
History.—s. 1, ch. 19064, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4251(1); s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 3, ch. 97-230; s. 7, ch. 2022-190.
Note.—Former s. 47.22.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.102 - Service by Other Means.

48.102 Service by other means.—If, after due diligence, a party seeking to effectuate service is unable to effectuate personal service of process on a domestic or foreign corporation; a domestic or foreign general partnership, including a limited liability partnership; a domestic or foreign limited partnership, including a limited liability limited partnership; or a domestic or foreign limited liability company, the court, upon motion and a showing of such inability, may authorize service in any other manner that the party seeking to effectuate service shows will be reasonably effective to give the entity on which service is sought to be effectuated actual notice of the suit. Such other manners of service may include service electronically by e-mail or other technology by any person authorized to serve process in accordance with this chapter, or by an attorney. The court may authorize other methods of service consistent with the principles of due process. In suits involving a breach of contract, the court may consider authorizing the parties to effectuate service in the manner provided for in the contractual notice provision of the subject contract.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2022-190.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.111 - Service on Public Agencies and Officers.

48.111 Service on public agencies and officers.—
(1) Process against any municipal corporation, agency, board, or commission, department, or subdivision of the state or any county which has a governing board, council, or commission or which is a body corporate shall be served:
(a) On the registered agent; or
(b) If the municipal corporation, agency, board, or commission, department, or subdivision of the state does not have a registered agent, or if the registered agent cannot otherwise be served after one good faith attempt:
1. On the president, mayor, chair, or other head thereof; and in the absence of all persons listed in this subparagraph;
2. On the vice president, vice mayor, or vice chair; and in the absence of all persons listed in subparagraph 1. and this subparagraph;
3. On any member of the governing board, council, or commission, the manager of the governmental entity, if any, or an in-house attorney for the governmental entity, if any; and in the absence of all the persons listed in subparagraph 1., subparagraph 2., and this subparagraph;
4. On any employee of the governmental entity at the main office of the governmental entity.
(2) Process against any public agency, board, commission, or department not a body corporate or having a governing board or commission shall be served on the public officer being sued or the chief executive officer of the agency, board, commission, or department.
(3) In any suit in which the Department of Revenue or its successor is a party, process against the department shall be served on the executive director of the department. This procedure is to be in lieu of any other provision of general law, and shall designate said department to be the only state agency or department to be so served.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 3242, 1881; RS 581, 1021, 1022; GS 774, 1408, 1409; RGS 1494, 2606, 2607; CGL 2203, 4253, 4254; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 73-73; s. 8, ch. 83-216; s. 274, ch. 95-147; s. 9, ch. 2022-190.
Note.—Former ss. 47.20, 47.21.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.121 - Service on the State.

48.121 Service on the state.—When the state has consented to be sued, process against the state shall be served on the state attorney or an assistant state attorney for the judicial circuit within which the action is brought and by sending two copies of the process by registered or certified mail to the Attorney General. The state may serve motions or pleadings within 40 days after service is made. This section is not intended to authorize the joinder of the Attorney General or a state attorney as a party in such suit or prosecution.
History.—s. 2, ch. 29724, 1955; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 7, ch. 2001-266.
Note.—Former s. 69.18.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.131 - Service on Alien Property Custodian.

48.131 Service on alien property custodian.—In every action or proceeding in any court or before any administrative board involving real, personal, or mixed property, or any interest therein, when service of process or notice is required or directed to be made upon any person, firm or corporation located, or believed to be located, within any country or territory in the possession of or under the control of any country between which and the United States a state of war exists, in addition to the giving of the notice or service of process, a copy of the notice or process shall be sent by registered or certified mail to the alien property custodian, addressed to him or her at Washington, District of Columbia; but failure to mail a copy of the notice or process to the alien property custodian does not invalidate the action or proceeding.
History.—s. 1, ch. 22074, 1943; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 275, ch. 95-147.
Note.—Former s. 47.51.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.171 - Service on Nonresident Motor Vehicle Owners, Etc.

48.171 Service on nonresident motor vehicle owners, etc.—Any nonresident of this state, being the operator or owner of any motor vehicle, who accepts the privilege extended by the laws of this state to nonresident operators and owners, of operating a motor vehicle or of having it operated, or of permitting any motor vehicle owned, or leased, or controlled by him or her to be operated with his or her knowledge, permission, acquiescence, or consent, within the state, or any resident of this state, being the licensed operator or owner of or the lessee, or otherwise entitled to control any motor vehicle under the laws of this state, who becomes a nonresident or conceals his or her whereabouts, by the acceptance or licensure and by the operation of the motor vehicle, either in person, or by or through his or her servants, agents, or employees, or by persons with his or her knowledge, acquiescence, and consent within the state constitutes the Secretary of State his or her agent for the service of process in any civil action begun in the courts of the state against such operator or owner, lessee, or other person entitled to control of the motor vehicle, arising out of or by reason of any accident or collision occurring within the state in which the motor vehicle is involved.
History.—s. 1, ch. 17254, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4274(7); ss. 1, 2, ch. 25003, 1949; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 278, ch. 95-147.
Note.—Former s. 47.29.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.183 - Service of Process in Action for Possession of Premises.

48.183 Service of process in action for possession of premises.—
(1) In an action for possession of any residential premises, including those under chapters 83, 723, and 513, or nonresidential premises, if the tenant cannot be found in the county or there is no person 15 years of age or older residing at the tenant’s usual place of abode in the county after at least two attempts to obtain service as provided above in this subsection, summons may be served by attaching a copy to a conspicuous place on the property described in the complaint or summons. The minimum time delay between the two attempts to obtain service shall be 6 hours. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting service of process on a tenant as is otherwise provided on defendants in civil cases.
(2) If a landlord causes or anticipates causing a defendant to be served with a summons and complaint solely by attaching them to some conspicuous place on the property described in the complaint or summons, the landlord shall provide the clerk of the court with an additional copy of the complaint and a prestamped envelope addressed to the defendant at the premises involved in the proceeding. The clerk of the court shall immediately mail the copy of the summons and complaint by first-class mail, note the fact of mailing in the docket, and file a certificate in the court file of the fact and date of mailing. Service shall be effective on the date of posting or mailing, whichever occurs later, and at least 5 days must elapse from the date of service before a judgment for final removal of the defendant may be entered.
History.—s. 4, ch. 73-330; s. 1, ch. 75-34; s. 1, ch. 83-39; s. 2, ch. 84-339; s. 4, ch. 87-405; s. 1, ch. 88-379; s. 3, ch. 94-170; s. 2, ch. 98-410; s. 1, ch. 2003-263.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.19 - Service on Nonresidents Operating Aircraft or Watercraft in the State.

48.19 Service on nonresidents operating aircraft or watercraft in the state.—The operation, navigation, or maintenance by a nonresident of an aircraft or a boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the state, either in person or through others, and the acceptance thereby by the nonresident of the protection of the laws of this state for the aircraft or watercraft, or the operation, navigation, or maintenance by a nonresident of an aircraft or a boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the state, either in person or through others, other than under the laws of the state, or any person who is a resident of the state and who subsequently becomes a nonresident or conceals his or her whereabouts, constitutes an appointment by the nonresident of the Secretary of State as the agent of the nonresident or concealed person on whom all process may be served in any action or proceeding against the nonresident or concealed person growing out of any accident or collision in which the nonresident or concealed person may be involved while, either in person or through others, operating, navigating, or maintaining an aircraft or a boat, ship, barge, or other watercraft in the state. The acceptance by operation, navigation, or maintenance in the state of the aircraft or watercraft is signification of the nonresident’s or concealed person’s agreement that process against him or her so served shall be of the same effect as if served on him or her personally.
History.—s. 1, ch. 59-148; s. 1, ch. 65-118; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 2, ch. 70-90; s. 280, ch. 95-147.
Note.—Former s. 47.162.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.195 - Service of Foreign Process.

48.195 Service of foreign process.—
(1) The service of process issued by a court of a state other than Florida may be made by the sheriffs of this state in the same manner as service of process issued by Florida courts. The provisions of this section shall not be interpreted to permit a sheriff to take any action against personal property, real property, or persons.
(2) An officer serving such foreign process shall be deemed as acting in the performance of his or her duties for the purposes of ss. 30.01, 30.02, 843.01, and 843.02, but shall not be held liable as provided in s. 839.19 for failure to execute any process delivered to him or her for service.
(3) The sheriffs shall be entitled to charge fees for the service of foreign process, and the fees shall be the same as fees for the service of comparable process for the Florida courts. When the service of foreign process requires duties to be performed in excess of those required by Florida courts, the sheriff may perform the additional duties and may collect reasonable additional compensation for the additional duties performed.
History.—s. 7, ch. 79-396; s. 36, ch. 81-259; s. 11, ch. 91-45; s. 282, ch. 95-147.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.197 - Service in a Foreign Country.

48.197 Service in a foreign country.—
(1) Service of process may be effectuated in a foreign country upon a party, other than a minor or an incompetent person, as provided in any of the following:
(a) By any internationally agreed-upon means of service reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the proceedings, such as those authorized by the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters.
(b) If there is no internationally agreed-upon means of service, or if an international agreement allows but does not specify other means, by a method reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the proceedings:
1. As prescribed by the foreign country’s law for service in that country in an action in its courts of general jurisdiction;
2. As the foreign authority directs in response to a letter rogatory or letter of request; or
3. Unless prohibited by the foreign country’s law, by:
a. If serving an individual, delivering a copy of the summons and of the complaint to the individual personally; or
b. Using any form of mail that the clerk addresses and sends to the party and which requires a signed receipt.
(c) Pursuant to motion and order by the court, by other means, including electronically by e-mail or other technology, which the party seeking service shows is reasonably calculated to give actual notice of the proceedings and is not prohibited by international agreement, as the court orders.
(2) Service of process may be effectuated in a foreign country upon a minor or an incompetent person in the manner prescribed by subparagraph (1)(b)1., subparagraph (1)(b)2., or paragraph (1)(c).
History.—s. 15, ch. 2022-190.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.20 - Service of Process on Sunday.

48.20 Service of process on Sunday.—Service or execution on Sunday of any writ, process, warrant, order, or judgment is void and the person serving or executing, or causing it to be served or executed, is liable to the party aggrieved for damages for so doing as if he or she had done it without any process, writ, warrant, order, or judgment. If affidavit is made by the person requesting service or execution that he or she has good reason to believe that any person liable to have any such writ, process, warrant, order, or judgment served on him or her intends to escape from this state under protection of Sunday, any officer furnished with an order authorizing service or execution by the trial court judge may serve or execute such writ, process, warrant, order, or judgment on Sunday, and it is as valid as if it had been done on any other day.
History.—s. 44, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 1025; GS 1413; RGS 2611; CGL 4275; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 12, ch. 73-334; s. 283, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 2004-11.
Note.—Former s. 47.46.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.21 - Return of Execution of Process.

48.21 Return of execution of process.—
(1) Each person who effects service of process shall note on a return-of-service form attached thereto the date and time when it comes to hand, the date and time when it is served, the manner of service, the name of the person on whom it was served, and, if the person is served in a representative capacity, the position occupied by the person. The return-of-service form must list all pleadings and documents served and be signed by the person who effects the service of process. However, a person who is authorized under this chapter to serve process and who effects such service of process may sign the return-of-service form using an electronic signature.
(2) A failure to state the facts or to include the signature required by subsection (1) invalidates the service, but the return is amendable to state the facts or to include the signature at any time on application to the court from which the process issued. On amendment, service is as effective as if the return had originally stated the omitted facts or included the signature. A failure to state all the facts in or to include the signature on the return shall subject the person effecting service to a fine not exceeding $10, in the court’s discretion.
History.—s. 18, Nov. 23, 1828; RS 1026; GS 1414; RGS 2612; CGL 4276; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 4, ch. 94-170; s. 1356, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 2004-273; s. 5, ch. 2011-159; s. 7, ch. 2019-67.
Note.—Former s. 47.47.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.22 - Cumulative to Other Laws.

48.22 Cumulative to other laws.—All provisions of this chapter are cumulative to other provisions of law or rules of court about service of process, and all other provisions about service of process are cumulative to this chapter.
History.—s. 9, ch. 11829, 1927; CGL 4265; s. 7, ch. 22858, 1945; s. 4, ch. 67-254.
Note.—Former ss. 47.33, 47.44.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.27 - Certified Process Servers.

48.27 Certified process servers.—
(1) The chief judge of each judicial circuit may establish an approved list of natural persons designated as certified process servers. The chief judge may periodically add to such list the names of those natural persons who have met the requirements for certification provided for in s. 48.29. Each person whose name has been added to the approved list is subject to annual recertification and reappointment by the chief judge of a judicial circuit. The chief judge shall prescribe appropriate forms for application for inclusion on the list of certified process servers. A reasonable fee for the processing of any such application must be charged.
(2)(a) The addition of a person’s name to the list authorizes him or her to serve initial nonenforceable civil process on a person found within the circuit where the process server is certified when a civil action has been filed against such person in the circuit court or in a county court in the state. Upon filing an action in circuit or county court, a person may select from the list for the circuit where the process is to be served one or more certified process servers to serve initial nonenforceable civil process.
(b) The addition of a person’s name to the list authorizes him or her to serve criminal witness subpoenas and criminal summonses on a person found within the circuit where the process server is certified. The state in any proceeding or investigation by a grand jury or any party in a criminal action, prosecution, or proceeding may select from the list for the circuit where the process is to be served one or more certified process servers to serve the subpoena or summons.
(3) Nothing herein shall be interpreted to exclude a sheriff or deputy or other person appointed by the sheriff pursuant to s. 48.021 from serving process or to exclude a person from appointment by individual motion and order to serve process in any civil action in accordance with Rule 1.070(b) of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.
History.—s. 3, ch. 88-135; s. 5, ch. 97-96; s. 3, ch. 98-410; s. 3, ch. 2009-215.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title VI - Civil Practice and Procedure › Chapter 48 - Process and Service of Process › 48.31 - Removal of Certified Process Servers; False Return of Service.

48.31 Removal of certified process servers; false return of service.—
(1) A certified process server may be removed from the list of certified process servers for any malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, or incompetence, as provided by court rule.
(2) A certified process server must be disinterested in any process he or she serves; if the certified process server willfully and knowingly executes a false return of service, he or she is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, and shall be permanently barred from serving process in this state.
History.—s. 5, ch. 88-135; s. 285, ch. 95-147.