In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida adopts amendments to multiple Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and related forms, effective January 1, 2008. The Court declines to adopt a proposed new rule concerning expert opinion testimony on costs and attorneys’ fees, concluding that the issue is not appropriately addressed in a procedural rule.

Holdings

1. The court adopted the proposed amendments to the specified Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and forms, with the exception of proposed new rule 1.526.
2. The court declined to adopt proposed rule 1.526 because whether expert opinion testimony is required in that context is not appropriately addressed in a rule of procedure; the court expressed no opinion on the substance of the proposal.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the proposed amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure and related forms should be adopted.
2. Whether proposed new rule 1.526, addressing the need for expert opinion testimony concerning costs and attorneys' fees, should be adopted as a rule of civil procedure.

Disposition

approved