FL Cards Flashcards
FL procedural requirement for new trial?
- Motion must be filed and served within 15 days of verdict
- The party should object to any event that will serve as a basis for new trial at the time of the event
Belated Direct Verdict (FL Civ Pro)
- Exact same thing as federal renewed motion for JMOL
- Must be filed within 15 days of entry of verdict
- Standard: Jury reached conclusion reasonable people could not have reached
- Prerequisite: Must have moved for directed verdict at proper time
What is the only time the damages in the complaint limit recovery?
(FL Civ Pro)
Default judgement
FL cap on punitive damages
- Greater of:
- 3x compensatory damages or $500K
- No cap on punitive damages if D had specific intent to harm or was under influence of alcohol
In FL, peremptory challenges must be…
Race & gender neutral (Jury selection is state action)
FL right to jury trial
- Jury decides facts underlying causes of action at law but not facts underlying causes of action in equity
How many jurors in civil actions? (FL)
6…12 in eminent domain
How many peremptory challenges? (FL)
3 per party
Demand for jury trial (Civ. Pro)
Must demand jury trial in writing no later than 10 days after service of last pleading directed to a jury triable issue (FL)
- in Fed Ct it is 14 days
When can binding arbitration ruling be appealed? (FL)
- Within 30 days
- Grounds for appeal are very narrow
What happens at the end of nonbinding arbitration?
Arbitrator’s decision becomes binding unless a party requests trial de novo w/i 20 days
Case Management Conference vs. Pretrial Conference (FL Civ Pro)
Case Management Conference
- Court may convene upon reasonable notice
- Court may consider scheduling, discovery, trial date, issues for trial, etc.
Pretrial Conference
- At least 20 days notice required
- Court may consider issues to prepare & simplify the trial, amend pleadings, limit # of expert witnesses, etc.
In FL, when may a party move for summary judgement?
- After 20 days from commencement of the case
- The motion & supporting materials must be served together at least 40 days before the hearing on the motion
- The party opposing the motion may serve its evidence 20 days before the hearing
Does D get notice of hearing on damages in default case in FL?
Yes
In FL, can a default judgement ever be entered by the clerk?
No
In FL, D gets notice of P’s application for default only if D…
Responded/appeared in the case
Default vs. Default judgement
- Entry of default prerequisite to default judgement
- Entry of default does not allow for any recovery
Notice to class members is required in a FL state class action for what classes?
- All classes
- Fed law only requires notice in type 3 class actions
FL class action prerequisites?
A device by which one holding money/property can force all potential claimants into a single lawsuit
(policy is to prevent inconsistent results)
E.g. Insurance company holds a fund of $100k under life insurance policy. Insurance company can interplead all claimants to avoid being sued by each in a separate action
Timing of impleader in FL?
Right to implead within 20 days of service to answer
What is impleader?
D is adding a new party & new party is 3rd party defendant that may be liable to D for indemnity or contribution (Also called 3rd party practice)
What is intervention?
When is it allowed in state court?
Absentee wants to join pending suit
Allowed in discretion of the court
In FL, an absent party is necessary when?
- Absentee is necessary in order to accord complete relief (worry is about multiple suits)
OR - Absentee may be harmed in a practical way
If either of these is present, court should order joinder, if there is PJ over absentee
- If no PJ, court can proceed w/o absentee or dismiss case
In FL, a plaintiff may join co-defendants if…
They each have an “interest adverse to the P”
In FL, what must you do before deposing the other party’s expert witness?
Send interrogatories to the other party seeking name, substance of facts/opinion held by expert, and the grounds for expert’s opinions
Once roggs are answer, you may depose the expert
What is discoverable?
Anything relevant
Relevant = Reasonable calculated to lead to admissible evidence
Is there a duty to supplement one’s answer in discovery?
Fed Ct: Yes
FL: No, if they were complete when made
What is max # of requests for admissions allowed?
FL: 30
Fed: No limit
How long to respond to request for admission in FL?
30 days. 45 if request accompanied complaint
How do you get info from non-parties?
- Subpoena
- In FL: Give notice to all parties of request for subpoena at least 10 days before subpoena is to be issued. At least 15 days if request is by snail mail.
How many roggs may a party serve?
FL: 30
Federal: 25
In FL, if interrogatories accompany complaint, how long does D have to respond?
- 45 days
- Otherwise, 30 days
In FL, plaintiff has a right to amend once when?
- Before D serves his answer
Other amendments must be upon motion
In FL, when does D have right to amend?
Within 20 days of service of answer
Must a cross-claim arise from same T/O?
Yes
How long does D have to respond to a counterclaim in FL?
20 days from service of counterclaim
When is a counterclaim compulsory?
Arises from the same T/O
If the answer contains an affirmative defense and P wishes to avoid it, he may do so in __?
A reply served w/i 20 days after service of the answer
- Only available in state court
If D makes a motion and it is denied, in FL, how long do they have to file an answer?
10 days from denial of motion
In FL, when are PJ, venue, service of process, etc. waived?
Your first defensive response. (Any request to the court for affirmative relief)
What are the 12(b) motions?
- Motion for more definitive statement
- Motion to strike
- Lack of SMJ
- Lack of PJ
- Improper venue
- Insufficiency of process
- Insufficient service of process
- Failure to state a claim for which relief can be granted
To avoid default, a D must respond within ___ days of being served with process.
FL: 20 days
Federal: 21 days
Must the P allege capacity to sue?
No, not in Florida or Fed Ct.
How can service of process be waived in FL?
- P can mail process & waiver form to D by 1st class mail. D has 20 days to return waiver form by 1st class mail. This waives formal service but not objections to PJ or venue.
- D has 60 days from receipt of waiver form in which to respond.
Service under FL long arm statute
Can serve process under long arm statue by:
- Any method allowed by FL law
- By one authorized to serve in that state
FL service of process on corporations
- Officer or director - descending order rule
- Resident or registered agent
When is nail & mail service appropriate in FL?
- Landlord seeks to disposess
- Personal service failed twice
Who can accept substituted service of process?
- D’s usual place of abode (At time of service)