The Florida Supreme Court adopts new civil procedure rule
Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics — 8.27.21
Peter Schorsch – August 27, 2021
The Florida Supreme Court adopts new civil procedure rule — The Supreme Court on Thursday adopted an amendment to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure, effective immediately, expressly adopting the “apex doctrine” in both the government and corporate contexts. The apex doctrine protects companies from plaintiffs’ attorneys demanding that their presidents, CEOs, or top officers sit for a deposition. The issue came to the Court as a question of great importance from the 1st District Court of Appeal. William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute, said, “By adopting first the Daubert evidence standard, then the federal summary judgment standard, and now the corporate apex doctrine through separate rule cases, the Court has expressed a clear willingness to address the problems facing Florida’s civil justice system through broad rule changes that apply even to pending matters.”
