Florida Court Rules Guide
Quick Navigation
Rules Overview
Practice Areas
Tools & Resources
Overview
Florida state courts operate under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, modeled after the Federal Rules but with significant state-specific modifications. The Florida court system includes circuit courts, county courts, and specialized divisions with unique procedural requirements.
Important: Florida has mandatory e-filing and unique disclosure requirements that differ from federal practice.
Florida Rules of Civil Procedure
Key Rule Categories
- • Rules 1.010-1.100: Scope and construction
- • Rules 1.110-1.190: Pleadings and motions
- • Rules 1.200-1.290: Parties
- • Rules 1.280-1.390: Discovery
- • Rules 1.400-1.490: Trial
Response Deadlines
- • 20 days: Answer to complaint
- • 5 days: Response to motion to dismiss
- • 10 days: Reply to counterclaim
- • Variable: Discovery responses
Florida Court Structure
Circuit Courts
- • General jurisdiction
- • Civil cases over $15,000
- • Family law
- • Felony criminal cases
County Courts
- • Limited jurisdiction
- • Civil: $8,000-$15,000
- • Misdemeanor criminal
- • Traffic violations
Small Claims Courts
- • Simplified procedures
- • Up to $8,000
- • No attorneys (generally)
- • Expedited process
Service of Process
Rule 1.070: Service of Process
Service Methods
- • Personal service by sheriff
- • Certified mail (limited circumstances)
- • Service by special process server
- • Substituted service
- • Service by publication
Timing Requirements
- • Service within 120 days of filing
- • Return of service required
- • Good cause extensions available
- • Long-arm jurisdiction procedures
E-Service Requirements
Mandatory E-Service
- • All documents after initial service
- • Through Florida Courts E-Filing Portal
- • Email service to all parties
- • Proof of service required
E-Filing Deadlines
- • 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- • Same-day filing deadline
- • Technical failure procedures
- • Emergency filing protocols
Time Calculation Rules
Rule 1.090: Time
- 1Exclude first day: Do not count the day of the act, event, or default from which time begins to run.
- 2Include last day: Include the last day unless it falls on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
- 3E-filing extension: Additional time for electronic service (varies by type of document).
Florida State Holidays
- • New Year's Day
- • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- • Presidents' Day
- • Memorial Day
- • Independence Day
- • Labor Day
- • Columbus Day
- • Veterans Day
- • Thanksgiving
- • Friday after Thanksgiving
- • Christmas Day
Additional Time for E-Service
- • Email service: Add 2 days
- • Portal service: No additional time
- • Exception: 5-day motions remain 5 days
- • Emergency matters: No extension
Discovery Procedures
Mandatory Disclosure
Standard Track
- • Initial disclosure within 30 days
- • Expert witness disclosure
- • Witness and document lists
- • Damage calculations
Expedited Track
- • Cases under $50,000
- • Limited discovery
- • Shortened deadlines
- • Simplified procedures
Standard Discovery Deadlines
| Discovery Type | Response Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interrogatories | 30 days | Maximum 30 questions |
| Request for Production | 30 days | Reasonable categories |
| Request for Admissions | 30 days | Deemed admitted if not responded |
| Depositions | Reasonable notice | Usually 30 days minimum |
Local Court Rules
Eleventh Judicial Circuit (Miami-Dade)
- • Comprehensive case management
- • Mandatory mediation programs
- • Specific motion calendars
- • Electronic discovery protocols
- • Uniform scheduling orders
Ninth Judicial Circuit (Orange/Osceola)
- • Business court division
- • Complex litigation procedures
- • Alternative dispute resolution
- • Specialized case tracks
- • Technology court initiatives
Sixth Judicial Circuit (Pinellas/Pasco)
- • Innovative case management
- • Early mediation requirements
- • Streamlined discovery
- • Paperless court initiatives
- • Settlement conferences
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit (Broward)
- • Comprehensive case management
- • Mandatory case management conferences
- • Discovery management
- • Trial setting preferences
- • Electronic filing requirements
Common Florida Deadlines
| Procedure | Deadline | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answer to Complaint | 20 days | Rule 1.140 | After service of process |
| Motion to Dismiss | 20 days | Rule 1.140 | Before answering |
| Response to Motion | 5 days | Rule 1.140 | Most motions |
| Motion for Rehearing | 15 days | Rule 1.530 | From rendition of order |
| Appeal Notice | 30 days | Fla. R. App. P. 9.110 | From final judgment |