In re the Florida Bar

326 So. 2d 7, 1975 Fla. LEXIS 4529
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in In re the Florida Bar. Read the opinion of the Court — 265 So. 2d 21
Supreme Court of Florida·Decided July 9, 1975·No. No. 46924·Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The Florida Bar has petitioned the Court to amend Article XVI of the Integration Rule of The Florida Bar, concerning the unauthorized practice of law. Having heard oral argument in this matter and upon examination of the Rule as amended, the petition is granted, and Article XVI of the Integration Rule as previously adopted is hereby amended by striking that Article and by inserting in lieu thereof new Article XVI of the Integration Rule, reading as follows, viz:

ARTICLE XVI UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW

/. JURISDICTION

Pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 15 of the Florida Constitution, this Court has inherent jurisdiction to prohibit the unauthorized practice of law.

II. INVESTIGATION

A. The Florida Bar, as an official arm of this Court, is charged with the duty of investigating matters pertaining to the unauthorized practice of law. The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar shall establish not less than one (1) Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee in each judicial circuit. The Board of Governors of The Florida Bar shall establish a Standing Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law of The Florida Bar, which shall supervise and be responsible for each of the circuit committees. The circuit committees shall receive complaints and conduct investigations of reported unauthorized practice of law.

1. Each circuit committee shall be appointed by the Board of Governors and shall consist of not less than three members of The Florida Bar.

2. The terms of the members of circuit committees shall begin on the first day of [8]*8July and shall end on the next succeeding thirtieth day of June or until such time as their successors are appointed and qualified. The expiration of the term of any member shall not disqualify such member from concluding any investigations pending before him.

3. There shall be a chairman designated by the Board of Governors and a vice chairman and secretary designated by the chairman of each circuit committee.

4. Any member may be removed from his office by the Board of Governors.

5. A majority of a circuit committee, but not less than three members, shall constitute a quorum. All matters requiring a vote of a circuit committee shall be decided by an affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum of the committee.

B. It shall be the duty of each circuit committee to investigate, with dispatch, all reports of unauthorized practice of law, and to make prompt written report of its investigation and findings to the Standing Committee on" Unauthorized Practice of Law. It shall be the duty of the Standing Committee to receive and evaluate circuit committee reports and make its findings and recommendations to the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors shall act upon said reports, findings and recommendations and determine whether or not litigation should be instituted against any alleged offender. The Board of Governors may approve civil injunctive proceedings, indirect criminal contempt proceedings or a combination of both pursuant to the provisions of this article.

1.Upon receiving a written application of the president of The Florida Bar, or the chairman of the Standing Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law, alleging facts indicating that a person, firm or corporation is or may be unlawfully practicing law and that the issuance of a subpoena is necessary for the investigation of such unauthorized practice, the clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida shall issue subpoenas in the name of the Chief Justice for the attendance of any person and production of books and records before investigating circuit committee designated in such application at the time and place within its circuit designated by the investigating circuit committee. Such subpoenas shall be returnable to the circuit court of the residence or place of business of- the person subpoenaed. A like subpoena shall issue upon application by any person, firm or corporation under investigation.

2. Failure to comply with any subpoena shall constitute a contempt of the Supreme Court of Florida, and may be punished by it or by the circuit court of the circuit to which the subpoena is returnable or where the contemner may be found. The circuit courts to which the subpoenas are returnable shall have power to enter such protective orders as may be necessary for the enforcement of said subpoenas.

3. Each circuit committee conducting investigations is empowered to take and have transcribed the testimony and evidence of witnesses who may be sworn by any person authorized by law to administer oaths.

III. LITIGATION

A. Civil Injunction Proceeding

1. Complaints shall be by written petition filed in this Court by The Florida Bar and in its name.

2. Each such petition shall be processed in this Court in accordance with the following procedure:

a. The petition shall not be framed in technical language, but shall with reasonable clarity set forth the alleged facts constituting the unauthorized practice of law. A prayer for relief may be included in the petition, but shall not be required.

b. This Court, upon consideration oí any petition so filed, may issue its order to show cause directed to the respondent com[9]*9manding said respondent to show cause if any there be, why the respondent should not be enjoined from the alleged unauthorized practice of law, and further requiring the respondent to file with the Court within twenty days after service of the petition and show cause order on him, a written answer admitting or denying the matter set forth in the petition. The legal sufficiency of the petition may, at the option of the respondent, be raised by motion to dismiss filed prior to or at the time of the filing of the answer. The filing of a motion to dismiss prior to the filing of an answer shall postpone the time for the filing of an answer until ten days after disposition of said motion. The order and petition shall be served upon the respondent in the manner provided for service of process by Rule 1.070(b), Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Service of all other pleadings shall be governed by the provisions of Rule 1.080, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

c. Any party may request oral argument upon any question of law raised by the initial pleadings. The Court may, in its discretion, set the matter for oral argument upon the next convenient motion day, or at such time as it deems appropriate.

d. If no response or defense is filed within the time permitted, the allegations of the petition shall be taken as true for purposes of that action. The Court will then, upon its motion or upon motion of any party, decide the case upon its merits, granting such relief and issuing such order as might be appropriate; or it may refer the petition for further proceedings according to this Article.

e. If a response or defense filed by a respondent raises no issue or issues of material fact, any party, upon motion, may request a judgment on the pleadings and the Court may rule thereon as a matter of law.

f. The Court, upon its motion or upon motion of any party, shall refer questions of fact to a referee for determination. The referee shall be a circuit judge of the State of Florida.

3. Proceedings before the referee shall be in accordance with the following:

a.

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In re the Florida Bar, 326 So. 2d 7, 1975 Fla. LEXIS 4529 (Fla. 1975).

326 So. 2d 7 (In re the Florida Bar) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.