On January 1, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court implemented sweeping amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, aimed at modernizing the system, reducing delays, and promoting efficiency in civil case resolution. These changes, born from the Workgroup on Improved Resolution of Civil Cases within the Judicial Management Council, address longstanding challenges like docket backlogs and inefficient discovery practices. With over two million civil filings annually in Florida courts, the reforms emphasize active case management, proportionality in discovery, and alignment with federal standards.

 

At our Firm, we guide clients through these evolving rules to ensure strategic, cost-effective representation. Below, we outline the most impactful amendments and their practical effects.

 

Overhauled Case Management: A Track-Based System

 

The cornerstone of the 2025 reforms is the complete rewrite of Rule 1.200 (Case Management; Pretrial Procedure), which introduces a mandatory tracking system for all civil cases. Within 120 days of filing the complaint—or 30 days after service on the last defendant—courts must assign cases to one of three tracks:

 

- Streamlined Track – For simpler matters expected to resolve within six months.

- General Track – For standard cases, targeting resolution in 12–18 months.

- Complex Track– For intricate litigation, allowing up to 24 months under Rule 1.201.

 

Each track culminates in a case management order (CMO) that sets firm deadlines for discovery, motions, and trial preparation, including mandatory case management conferences. Parties may request a track change with good cause, but extensions require detailed justification and court approval. For cases filed before January 1, 2025, without a CMO, courts must issue one by April 4, 2025.

 

These changes shift Florida closer to federal models, fostering collaboration and early deadline-setting while demanding proactive planning from attorneys to avoid sanctions.

 

Streamlined Discovery: Proportionality and Initial Disclosures

 

Amendments to Rule 1.280 (General Provisions Governing Discovery) mark a pivotal alignment with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26. Key updates include:

 

- Proportionality Standard – Discovery is now limited to matters “relevant to any party’s claim or defense,” with courts weighing factors like case importance, burden, and expense. This replaces the broader “reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence” test.

- Mandatory Initial Disclosures – Parties must exchange basic information (witness names, documents, damages computations, insurance agreements) within 60 days of service or joinder. No discovery may proceed until these are served, absent court order.

- Supplementation Duty – Parties are required to timely update disclosures, mirroring federal obligations.

 

These rules apply immediately to new cases but exempt pre-2025 filings from the initial-disclosure requirement.

 

Motion Practice: Conferral and Summary Judgment Reforms

 

New Rule 1.202 (Conferral Prior to Filing Motions) mandates good-faith discussions before filing most non-dispositive motions. Movants must certify conferral efforts and outcomes, and hearing reservations are delayed until resolution attempts fail.

 

Rule 1.510 (Summary Judgment) clarifies timelines: responses are now due within 40 days of service (not the hearing date), with hearings potentially set 20–30 days later. Motions filed before 2025 but heard after January 1 may need rescheduling.

 

Rule 1.440 (Setting Action for Trial) requires trial period notices 45 days in advance, starting at least 30 days after service. Continuances under Rule 1.460 must specify reasons and reset deadlines.

 

Other Notable Changes

 

- Rule 1.310 now explicitly allows depositions of LLCs and other entities (similar to Fed. R. Civ. P. 30(b)(6)).

- Rule 1.080(d) standardizes transcript filing formats.

- Rule 1.820(h) streamlines rejecting arbitration awards and requesting trials de novo.

 

For the complete text of the amendments, see the Florida Supreme Court’s opinion in In re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, SC2023-0962.