Post date: Oct 21, 2012 7:19:02 PM
On October 18, 2012, the Florida Supreme Court issued a revised opinion regarding e-filing rule amendments. and a revised opinion regarding service by email rule amendments.
The revised opinion on e-mail service makes several additional rule changes. It changes Rule 2.515(c) to authorize various forms of written or electronic signatures. It modifies Rule 2.516 (b)(1)(E) to allow for either attaching the served document to an email OR linking to the document on a website maintained by a clerk. The revised opinion removes Rule 2.516(b)(2)(F) that "service by delivery after 5:00 p.m. must be deemed to have been made by mailing..." It clarifies Rule 2.516(g) that service by a clerk need not be done by email.
The revised opinion on e-filing reflects changes made to the effective date of the amended rules. As for the rules in civil, probate, small claims and family law divisions of the trial courts, as well as for appeals to the circuit courts in these categories of cases, the effective date will be April 1, 2013. In criminal, traffic, and juvenile divisions, as well as Baker Act proceedings and Jimmy Ryce Act proceedings, the rules will take effect on October 1, 2013. The rules will take effect in the Supreme Court on December 1, 2012. In the district courts of appeal, they will become effective on April 1, 2013. The court repeatedly noted that all new effective dates may be changed yet again by administrative order.