If you’ve spent any time in a Florida courtroom lately, or even just watched a local case unfold from the sidelines, you’ve probably noticed things are moving... faster. It isn't your imagination. The Florida Rules of Civil Procedure recently underwent their most aggressive facelift in decades. Basically, the "old way" of letting a lawsuit languish for three years while lawyers bicker over scheduling is dead.
Honestly, it’s a culture shock.
For years, Florida was known for being a bit of a "Wild West" when it came to litigation timelines. You could file a case, wait six months, send a few emails, and maybe—just maybe—get a trial date in the distant future. Not anymore. Since the massive 2025 and 2026 updates, the Florida Supreme Court has essentially told everyone to pick up the pace or get out of the way.
The Death of the "Slow Walk" Strategy
The biggest shift centers on Rule 1.200. In the past, case management was often a suggestion. Now? It’s a mandate. Within 120 days of a case being filed, a judge has to stick that case onto one of three tracks: streamlined, general, or complex.
Think of it like an airport security line.
If your case is "streamlined"—meaning it’s a simple breach of contract or a car accident with minimal witnesses—you’re on the fast track. You’ll likely be at trial within 12 months. If you’re in the "complex" lane, you get more time, but the court is going to be breathing down your neck with strict deadlines for every single motion.
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What really catches people off guard is that these deadlines are now "hard." Gone are the days of filing a "Motion for Continuance" just because you haven't finished your homework. The court now views continuances as "disfavored." You need a real, documented reason—like a witness disappearing or a medical emergency—to move a trial date. "I'm busy" doesn't cut it anymore.
Initial Disclosures: No More "Gotcha" Moments
Discovery used to be a game of hide-and-seek. You’d wait for the other side to ask for documents, then you’d object, then they’d file a motion to compel, and three months later, you’d finally hand over a single PDF.
Rule 1.280 ended that game.
Now, Florida has adopted the federal model of initial disclosures. This means that within 60 days of the lawsuit starting, you must hand over:
- Names and contact info for anyone who has discoverable info.
- Copies (or descriptions) of all documents you plan to use to support your claims.
- A specific calculation of your damages.
- Any insurance policies that might cover the judgment.
You have to do this without being asked. If you "forget" a witness in your initial disclosure and try to bring them up later at trial, the judge will likely tell you to sit back down. The goal is transparency. By forcing everyone to show their cards early, the state hopes to encourage settlements and stop the endless cycle of discovery disputes.
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The Summary Judgment Shakeup
If you're a fan of legal dramas, you know the "Summary Judgment" is the part where the judge decides the case without a trial because the facts aren't really in dispute. For a long time, Florida’s standard for this (under Rule 1.510) was incredibly difficult to meet. You basically had to prove a negative—that there was no possible way the other side could win.
In 2021, Florida moved toward the federal "Celotex" standard, and by 2026, the procedural kinks have been ironed out.
The biggest thing you've got to watch for now is the timing. A response to a Motion for Summary Judgment is now tied to when you were served, not when the hearing is. You have 40 days to respond. If you miss that window, you can’t just show up at the hearing with a bunch of affidavits and hope the judge is in a good mood. The clock is ticking from the moment that motion hits your inbox.
Mandatory Conferral (The "Talk It Out" Rule)
One of the most practical changes is Rule 1.202. It sounds simple, but it’s a lifesaver for the court's calendar. Before a lawyer can file most motions—like a motion to extend a deadline or a motion to compel discovery—they must actually talk to the other lawyer.
Like, on the phone or in person.
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They have to try to resolve the issue first. When the motion is finally filed, it has to include a "Certificate of Conferral" stating that they tried to work it out and failed. It prevents the "paper warfare" where attorneys file motions for things that could have been settled with a five-minute conversation.
If you don't confer? The judge can just toss your motion out without even reading it.
What Litigants Should Do Right Now
If you find yourself involved in a Florida lawsuit, the "wait and see" approach is a recipe for disaster. Here is how to handle the new landscape:
- Front-load your evidence. Because of the 60-day disclosure rule, you need your documents, emails, and witness lists ready before you even file or immediately after you're served.
- Respect the Case Management Order (CMO). Treat the dates in that order like they are written in stone. If your lawyer says a deadline is Friday, it’s Friday.
- Be Proportional. The rules now emphasize "proportionality" in discovery. You can’t ask for ten years of a company's tax returns for a $15,000 dispute. It has to be worth the effort.
- Watch the Default Rules. Recent updates to Rule 1.500 mean you have a bit more notice before a default is entered against you, but don't test it. If you get served, you generally have 20 days to respond. Use them.
The 2026 legal environment in Florida is built for efficiency. It rewards the prepared and punishes the procrastinator. Whether you're a business owner or an individual, understanding these procedural shifts isn't just for the lawyers anymore—it's the only way to ensure your day in court doesn't end before it even begins.