In Re: Amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Small Claims Rules, and Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure – Jurisdiction

• Court: Supreme Court of Florida
• Decided: August 13, 2020
• Docket: SC19-1354
• Status: Published

Opinion

Supreme Court of Florida ____________

No. SC19-1354 ____________

IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO THE FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, FLORIDA SMALL CLAIMS RULES, AND FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE—JURISDICTION.

August 13, 2020

PER CURIAM.

The Court has for consideration comments on the amendments to Florida

Rule of Civil Procedure Form 1.997 (Civil Cover Sheet) previously adopted in this

case and the Civil Procedure Rule Committee’s (Committee) response to the

comments and suggested additional amendments to the civil cover sheet form and

instructions. The Court has jurisdiction1 and further amends the civil cover sheet

form and instructions as suggested by the Committee.

Background

As relevant here, in the November 14, 2019, opinion in this case, the Court

amended the civil cover sheet form and instructions to (1) collect information on

1. Art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. the amount in controversy in civil circuit and non-small-claims county court cases

to be used to evaluate the need for future adjustments to the county court

jurisdictional limit, and (2) implement statutory changes that increased the county

court jurisdictional limit to $30,000 effective January 1, 2020, and require the

Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) to include the claim value of

county court and circuit court filings in the reports making county court

jurisdiction adjustment recommendations that OSCA must submit to various

officials by February 1, 2021.2 See In re Amends. to Fla. Rules of Civ. Pro., Fla.

Small Claims Rules, & Fla. Rules of App. Pro.—Jurisdiction, 283 So. 3d 802, 803-

04 (Fla. Nov. 14, 2019). The Court modified the Committee’s proposed

amendments to remove “Real property/Mortgage foreclosure” from the “County

Civil” case types listed under section III (Type of Case) in the form and

instructions. Id. at 803. Because the amendments were not published prior to their

adoption, the Court published the amendments for comment. Id. at 803-04.

Seven comments and one supplemental comment have been filed. One of

the comments was filed by the Committee questioning the Court’s removal of

“Real property/Mortgage foreclosure” from the County Civil case types. See

Alexdex Corp. v. Nachon Enterprises, Inc., 641 So. 2d 858 (Fla. 1994) (holding

2. See ch. 2019-58, § 9, Laws of Fla. (amending § 34.01, Fla. Stat. (2018)).

-2- that circuit courts and county courts within the county courts’ statutory monetary

jurisdictional limit have concurrent jurisdiction over matters of equity, including

foreclosure actions). One of the comments urges the Court to further amend the

civil cover sheet form to “distinguish between residential and non-residential

evictions” in County Civil case types in order to make that data available to those

studying residential evictions. The remainder of comments primarily contend that

(1) new section II (Amount of Claim) of the form, which asks for the estimated

dollar amount of the claim, is inconsistent with section 768.042(1), Florida Statutes

(2019), which prohibits the amount of general damages sought from being stated in

a complaint in a personal injury or wrongful death action, and (2) the specific

estimated dollar claim amount provided in the cover sheet could be used by the

opposing party in the case for tactical reasons.

In its response to the comments, the Committee offers several amendments

to the civil cover sheet form and instructions to address the various issues raised in

the comments. According to the response, the Committee gave the commenters in

this case and several other entities3 the opportunity to provide feedback on the

suggested amendments; but no feedback was offered. The Executive Committee

3. The Committee sought feedback from the Appellate Court Rules Committee, the Small Claims Rules Committee, the Florida Courts Technology Commission, OSCA, the E-Filing Portal Authority Board, the Conference of Circuit Court Judges, and the Conference of County Court Judges.

-3- of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar unanimously approved the suggested

amendments.

After reviewing the comments and the Committee’s response, and

determining that the suggested amendments adequately resolve the issues raised in

the comments, the Court further amends the civil cover sheet form and instructions

as suggested by the Committee.

Amendments

First, the Court amends section II (Amount of Claim) of the form to replace

the dollar sign and space where the estimated dollar amount of the claim is to be

inserted with six claim amount range options, from “$8,000 or less” to “over

$100,000.00.” Two new sentences also are added to section II of the form

explaining that “The estimated amount of the claim is requested for data collection

and clerical processing purposes only. The amount of the claim shall not be used

for any other purpose.” Similar explanatory language is added to the instructions

to section II of the form.

Next, the Court adds “Real property/Mortgage foreclosure” to the County

Civil case types in section III (Type of Case) in the form and instructions. The

new instruction, lettered (AO), explains that the “Real property/Mortgage

foreclosure” case type includes “all matters involving claims up to $30,000 relating

to the possession, title, or boundaries of real property” and ‘[a]ll matters involving

-4- foreclosures or sales of real property up to $30,000, including foreclosures

associated with condominium associations or condominium units.” The County

Civil case types instructions currently lettered (AO) through (AQ) are relettered

(AP) through (AR), respectively. Finally, section III of the form is further

amended to add “Residential Evictions” and “Non-residential Evictions,” as

subcategories of the “Evictions” County Civil case type.

Accordingly, the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure are amended as reflected

in the appendix to this opinion. New language is indicated by underscoring;

deletions are indicated by struck-through type. The amendments shall become

effective immediately upon the release of this opinion.

It is so ordered.

CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, MUÑIZ, and COURIEL, JJ., concur.

THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.

Original Proceeding – Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, Florida Rules of Small Claims, and Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure – Jurisdiction

Ceci Culpepper Berman, Chair, Tampa, Florida, and Ardith Michelle Bronson, Past Chair, Civil Procedure Rules Committee, Miami, Florida; Hon. Olga Maria Gonzalez-Levine, Chair, Plantation, Florida, and Maureen B. Walsh, Past Chair, Small Claims Rules Committee, Jacksonville, Florida; Hon. Stephanie Williams Ray, Chair, and Thomas D. Hall, Past Chair, Appellate Court Rules Committee, Tallahassee, Florida; and Joshua E. Doyle, Executive Director, Mikalla Andies Davis and Krys Godwin, Staff Liaisons, The Florida Bar, Tallahassee, Florida,

for Petitioners

-5- G.C. Murray II, Chair, Code and Rules of Evidence Committee, Florida Justice Association, Tallahassee, Florida; William T. Cotterall and Andrew A. Harris of Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A., on behalf of Florida Justice Association, Inc., Tallahassee, Florida, and Palm Beach County Justice Association, West Palm Beach, Florida; Alexander M. Clem, Andrew Parker Felix, and Steven E. Nauman, Morgan & Morgan, P.A., Orlando, Florida; John Wayne Hogan, Jacksonville, Florida; Ceci Culpepper Berman, Chair, Tampa, Florida, and Ardith Michelle Bronson, Past Chair, Civil Procedure Rules Committee, Miami, Florida; Thomas S. Edwards, Jr. of Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., Jacksonville, Florida; Jeffrey M. Hearne, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., Tenants’ Rights Clinic, Miami, Florida, and Natalie N. Maxwell of Three Rivers Legal Services, on behalf of Housing Umbrella Group, Gainesville, Florida,

Responding with comments

-6- APPENDIX

FORM 1.997. CIVIL COVER SHEET

The civil cover sheet and the information contained in it neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other documents as required by law. This form must be filed by the plaintiff or petitioner with the Clerk of Court for the purpose of reporting uniform data pursuant to section 25.075, Florida Statutes. (See instructions for completion.)

I. CASE STYLE

(Name of Court) . Plaintiff Case # Judge

vs.

Defendant

II. AMOUNT OF CLAIM Please indicate the estimated amount of the claim, rounded to the nearest dollar. The estimated amount of the claim is requested for data collection and clerical processing purposes only. The amount of the claim shall not be used for any other purpose. $

$8,000 or less $8,001 - $30,000 $30,001- $50,000 $50,001- $75,000 $75,001 - $100,000 over $100,000.00

III. TYPE OF CASE (If the case fits more than one type of case, select the most definitive category.) If the most descriptive label is a subcategory (is indented under a broader category), place an x on both the main category and subcategory lines.

-7- CIRCUIT CIVIL Condominium Contracts and indebtedness Eminent domain Auto negligence Negligence—other Business governance Business torts Environmental/Toxic tort Third party indemnification Construction defect Mass tort Negligent security Nursing home negligence Premises liability—commercial Premises liability—residential Products liability ___ Real property/Mortgage foreclosure _____ Commercial foreclosure _____ Homestead residential foreclosure _____ Non-homestead residential foreclosure _____ Other real property actions Professional malpractice Malpractice—business Malpractice—medical Malpractice—other professional Other Antitrust/Trade regulation Business transactions Constitutional challenge—statute or ordinance Constitutional challenge—proposed amendment Corporate trusts Discrimination—employment or other Insurance claims Intellectual property Libel/Slander Shareholder derivative action Securities litigation Trade secrets Trust litigation

-8- COUNTY CIVIL Civil Real property/Mortgage foreclosure Replevins Evictions Residential Evictions Non-residential Evictions Other civil (non-monetary)

IV. REMEDIES SOUGHT (check all that apply): Monetary; Nonmonetary declaratory or injunctive relief; Punitive

V. NUMBER OF CAUSES OF ACTION: [ ] (Specify)

VI. IS THIS CASE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT? yes no

VII. HAS NOTICE OF ANY KNOWN RELATED CASE BEEN FILED? no __ yes If “yes,” list all related cases by name, case number, and court.

VIII. IS JURY TRIAL DEMANDED IN COMPLAINT? yes no

I CERTIFY that the information I have provided in this cover sheet is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I have read and will comply with the requirements of Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425.

Signature Fla. Bar # Attorney or party (Bar # if attorney)

(type or print name) Date

-9- FORM 1.997. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET

Plaintiff must file this cover sheet with the first document filed in the action or proceeding (except small claims cases, probate, or family cases). Domestic and juvenile cases should be accompanied by a completed Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure Form 12.928, Cover Sheet for Family Court Cases. Failure to file a civil cover sheet in any civil case other than those excepted above may result in sanctions.

I. Case Style. Enter the name of the court, the appropriate case number assigned at the time of filing of the original complaint or petition, the name of the judge assigned (if applicable), and the name (last, first, middle initial) of plaintiff(s) and defendant(s).

II. Amount of Claim. Enter the estimated amount of the claim, rounded to the nearest dollar. The estimated amount of the claim is requested for data collection and clerical processing purposes only and is not considered dispositive of the claim. The amount of the claim shall not be used for any other purpose.

III. Type of Case. Place an “X” on the appropriate line. If the cause fits more than one type of case, select the most definitive. If the most definitive label is a subcategory (indented under a broader category label), place an “X” on the category and subcategory lines. Definitions of the cases are provided below in the order they appear on the form.

Circuit Civil

(A) Condominium—all civil lawsuits pursuant to Chapter 718, Florida Statutes, in which a condominium association is a party. (B) Contracts and indebtedness—all contract actions relating to promissory notes and other debts, including those arising from the sale of goods, but excluding contract disputes involving condominium associations. (C) Eminent domain—all matters relating to the taking of private property for public use, including inverse condemnation by state agencies, political subdivisions, or public service corporations. (D) Auto negligence—all matters arising out of a party’s allegedly negligent operation of a motor vehicle. (E) Negligence—other—all actions sounding in negligence, including statutory claims for relief on account of death or injury, that are not included in other main categories. (F) Business governance—all matters relating to the management, administration, or control of a company.

- 10 - (G) Business torts—all matters relating to liability for economic loss allegedly caused by interference with economic or business relationships. (H) Environmental/Toxic tort—all matters relating to claims that violations of environmental regulatory provisions or exposure to a chemical caused injury or disease. (I) Third party indemnification—all matters relating to liability transferred to a third party in a financial relationship. (J) Construction defect—all civil lawsuits in which damage or injury was allegedly caused by defects in the construction of a structure. (K) Mass tort—all matters relating to a civil action involving numerous plaintiffs against one or more defendants. (L) Negligent security—all matters involving injury to a person or property allegedly resulting from insufficient security. (M) Nursing home negligence—all matters involving injury to a nursing home resident resulting from negligence of nursing home staff or facilities. (N) Premises liability—commercial—all matters involving injury to a person or property allegedly resulting from a defect on the premises of a commercial property. (O) Premises liability—residential—all matters involving injury to a person or property allegedly resulting from a defect on the premises of a residential property. (P) Products liability—all matters involving injury to a person or property allegedly resulting from the manufacture or sale of a defective product or from a failure to warn. (Q) Real property/Mortgage foreclosure—all matters relating to the possession, title, or boundaries of real property. All matters involving foreclosures or sales of real property, including foreclosures associated with condominium associations or condominium units. (The amount of claim specified in Section II. of the form determines the filing fee pursuant to section 28.241, Florida Statutes.) (R) Commercial foreclosure—all matters relating to the termination of a business owner’s interest in commercial property by a lender to gain title or force a sale to satisfy the unpaid debt secured by the property. (S) Homestead residential foreclosure—all matters relating to the termination of a residential property owner’s interest by a lender to gain title or force a sale to satisfy the unpaid debt secured by the property where the property has been granted a homestead exemption.

- 11 - (T) Nonhomestead residential foreclosure—all matters relating to the termination of a residential property owner’s interest by a lender to gain title or force a sale to satisfy the unpaid debt secured by the property where the property has not been granted a homestead exemption. (U) Other real property actions—all matters relating to land, land improvements, or property rights not involving commercial or residential foreclosure. (V) Professional malpractice—all professional malpractice lawsuits. (W) Malpractice—business—all matters relating to a business’s or business person’s failure to exercise the degree of care and skill that someone in the same line of work would use under similar circumstances. (X) Malpractice—medical—all matters relating to a doctor’s failure to exercise the degree of care and skill that a physician or surgeon of the same medical specialty would use under similar circumstances. (Y) Malpractice—other professional—all matters relating to negligence of those other than medical or business professionals. (Z) Other—all civil matters not included in other categories. (AA) Antitrust/Trade regulation—all matters relating to unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive business acts or practices. (AB) Business transactions—all matters relating to actions that affect financial or economic interests. (AC) Constitutional challenge—statute or ordinance—a challenge to a statute or ordinance, citing a violation of the Florida Constitution. (AD) Constitutional challenge—proposed amendment—a challenge to a legislatively initiated proposed constitutional amendment, but excluding challenges to a citizen-initiated proposed constitutional amendment because the Florida Supreme Court has direct jurisdiction of such challenges. (AE) Corporate trusts—all matters relating to the business activities of financial services companies or banks acting in a fiduciary capacity for investors. (AF) Discrimination—employment or other—all matters relating to discrimination, including employment, sex, race, age, handicap, harassment, retaliation, or wages. (AG) Insurance claims—all matters relating to claims filed with an insurance company.

- 12 - (AH) Intellectual property—all matters relating to intangible rights protecting commercially valuable products of the human intellect. (AI) Libel/Slander—all matters relating to written, visual, oral, or aural defamation of character. (AJ) Shareholder derivative action—all matters relating to actions by a corporation’s shareholders to protect and benefit all shareholders against corporate management for improper management. (AK) Securities litigation—all matters relating to the financial interest or instruments of a company or corporation. (AL) Trade secrets—all matters relating to a formula, process, device, or other business information that is kept confidential to maintain an advantage over competitors. (AM) Trust litigation—all civil matters involving guardianships, estates, or trusts and not appropriately filed in probate proceedings. County Civil (AN) Civil – all matters involving claims ranging from $8,001 through $30,000 in damages, exclusive of interest, costs, and attorney fees.

(AO) Real property/Mortgage foreclosure—all matters involving claims up to $30,000 relating to the possession, title, or boundaries of real property. All matters involving foreclosures or sales of real property up to $30,000, including foreclosures associated with condominium associations or condominium units.

(AP) Replevins—all lawsuits pursuant to Chapter 78, Florida Statutes, involving claims up to $30,000.

(APQ) Evictions—all matters involving the recovery of possession of leased land or rental property by process of law.

(AQR) Other civil (non-monetary)—includes all other non-monetary county civil matters that were not described in other county civil categories.

IV. Remedies Sought. Place an “X” on the appropriate line. If more than one remedy is sought in the complaint or petition, check all that apply.

V. Number of Causes of Action. If the complaint or petition alleges more than one cause of action, note the number and the name of the cause of action.

VI. Class Action. Place an “X” on the appropriate line.

VII. Related Cases. Place an “X” on the appropriate line.

- 13 - VIII. Is Jury Trial Demanded In Complaint? Check the appropriate line to indicate whether a jury trial is being demanded in the complaint.

ATTORNEY OR PARTY SIGNATURE. Sign the civil cover sheet. Print legibly the name of the person signing the civil cover sheet. Attorneys must include a Florida Bar number. Insert the date the civil cover sheet is signed. Signature is a certification that the filer has provided accurate information on the civil cover sheet, and has read and complied with the requirements of Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.425.

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