Summary
adopting rule 9.130(F)
Summary of this case from Sarasota Cnty. Pub. Hosp. Dist. v. Venice HMA, LLCOpinion
No. SC19-1734
01-23-2020
The Court, on its own motion, amends Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.130 (Proceedings to Review Nonfinal Orders and Specified Final Orders) to expand the availability of appellate review of nonfinal orders denying sovereign immunity, denying immunity in civil rights claims arising under federal law, and denying immunity under section 768.28(9), Florida Statutes. See Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.140(d). We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.
For the reasons explained in the Court's opinion in Florida Highway Patrol v. Jackson , No. SC18-468, 2020 WL 370366 (Fla. Jan. 23, 2020), which issues today with this opinion, we move subdivisions (a)(3)(C)(vii) (absolute or qualified immunity in a civil rights claim arising under federal law), (a)(3)(C)(x) (immunity under section 768.28(9), Florida Statutes ), and (a)(3)(C)(xi) (sovereign immunity) of rule 9.130 to new subdivisions (a)(3)(F)(i), (a)(3)(F)(ii), and (a)(3)(F)(iii), respectively. The new subdivisions allow appeals of nonfinal orders that deny a motion that asserts entitlement to the types of immunity addressed in those subdivisions, removing the requirement that the orders "determine that, as matter of law, a party is not entitled" to the immunity asserted. If the trial court's order denies a motion asserting entitlement to immunity, there is jurisdiction to review it, and the appellate court may review as much of the record as is necessary to resolve the question presented in the appeal. We ask The Florida Bar's Appellate Court Rules Committee to consider whether subdivision (a)(3)(C)(v) (workers' compensation immunity), which requires such a determination, should be similarly amended.
Accordingly, the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure are amended as reflected in the appendix to this opinion. New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type. The amendments shall become effective immediately upon the release of this opinion. Because the amendments were not published for comment prior to their adoption, interested persons shall have seventy-five days from the date of this opinion in which to file comments with the Court. We specifically invite comments from The Florida Bar's Appellate Court Rules Committee.
All comments must be filed with the Court on or before April 7, 2020, with a separate request for oral argument if the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral argument, which may be scheduled in this case. If filed by an attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, the comment must be electronically filed via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (Portal) in accordance with In re Electronic Filing in the Supreme Court of Florida via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal , Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC13-7 (Feb. 18, 2013). If filed by a nonlawyer or a lawyer not licensed to practice in Florida, the comment may be, but is not required to be, filed via the Portal. Comments filed via the Portal must be submitted in Microsoft Word 97 or higher. See
It is so ordered.
CANADY, C.J., and POLSTON, LABARGA, LAWSON, and MUÑIZ, JJ., concur.
APPENDIX ??
In re Electronic Filing in the Florida Supreme Court , Fla. Admin. Order No. AOSC17-27 (May 9, 2017). Any person unable to submit a comment electronically must mail or hand-deliver the originally signed comment to the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the Clerk, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1927; no additional copies are required or will be accepted.