In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.070, 1.430, and Form 1.902

Summary

The Supreme Court of Florida approves amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.070 and 1.430 and Form 1.902. The amendments authorize registered mail as a method for requesting waiver of service, require jury-trial demands to be filed rather than merely served, and make conforming changes to the summons form. The amendments become effective April 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.

Holdings

1. The court adopted the proposed amendment to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070(i)(2)(B), permitting a notice and request for waiver of service to be dispatched by registered mail as defined by section 1.01, Florida Statutes, and amended Form 1.902 accordingly.
2. The court amended Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.430 to require a party to file a written demand for a jury trial, in addition to serving the demand, within the applicable period.
3. The amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 1.070 and 1.430 and Form 1.902 become effective April 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.

Questions Presented

1. Whether to adopt the proposed amendments to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.070 and Form 1.902 concerning registered mail and waiver of service.
2. Whether to amend Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.430 to require that demands for jury trials be filed, rather than merely served.
3. When the adopted amendments should become effective.

Disposition

other