What to Know About Major Fla. Civil Procedure Rule Changes

Litigation attorneys Brian Briz and Benjamin Tyler published an article in Law360 examining amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Issued by the Florida Supreme Court in May of this year and taking effect on Jan. 1, 2025, the amendments touch a range of areas, from pretrial procedures to discovery to motion practice, and have a goal of streamlining civil cases. The authors explain the changes to case management with the creation of a system of case tracks — complex, general and streamlined — as well as adjustments to the scope of discoverable information to align more closely with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. A new rule establishing a conferral requirement for filing non-dispositive motions highlights amendments to motion practice. The article notes that many of these changes will bring growing pains for litigants and judges alike, and could even create more challenges for state court judges, who now face additional requirements coupled with less control over their dockets. The attorneys conclude their analysis by saying the amendments have the potential to make all parties' lives easier, but the onus will fall on lawyers to do their part by being proactive, staying organized, managing deadlines and avoiding gamesmanship.

READ: What to Know About Major Fla. Civil Procedure Rule Changes