Update February 2020
The Task Force has drafted and is considering proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure relating to non-specific objections to discovery requests, federal proportionality considerations in regard to discovery (to both parties and non-parties), and addressing meet and confer and initial case management requirements. The Task Force is currently working on drafts of revisions to Rule 1.010, Rule 1.200, Rule 1.280, Rule 1.350 and Rule 1.410.
The Task Force is working on a proposed amendment to Rule 1.010 adding language relating to the “just, speedy and inexpensive determination of every action and proceeding” to be consistent with the 2015 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Task Force is also looking at additional proposals in regard to the case management rules and how to address the absence of a meet and confer requirement in discovery disputes and in regard to non-dispositive motions. This includes proposing potential amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure to adopt language similar to, or patterned after, parts of Rule 26(g) and Rule 34 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Final Version of Comments to Rule 1.380 amendments
Federal Rules Subcommittee Report of January 2018
Update July 2019
The Task Force reported on the status of the proposed amendment to Rule 1.380 and the drafting of a proposed amendment to Rule 1.010 to harmonize the Florida Rules with the Federal Rules. We also discussed amendments to Rule 1.200 and 1.201 to provide a mandatory meet and confer in certain circumstances. Also, we discussed potential amendments to Rule 1.280 and other related rules to consider proportionality and cost-shifting provisions. Last, we discussed adding a requirement to the Florida Rules to state objections to discovery with specificity versus the use of boilerplate objections.
All Business Law Section committees will meeting during the BLS Annual Labor Day Retreat at Marco Island
We are pleased to announce that we are in the process of gathering drafts of the various amendments that have been discussed. As you may have seen, Judge Artigliere has sent out a Doodle poll to set our next telephone conference. In addition to this telephone conference, we want to remind everyone that the Task Force will meet in person on Wednesday, February 5th, at 4:30 p.m., during the Florida Bar’s Winter Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The address for the Hyatt Regency is 9801 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. We have been assigned the “Coral Springs 1” meeting room. If you are not able to join us in person then you can still participate by telephone by calling (719) 359-9723 and entering passcode 267974.