Saying vexatious litigation in noncriminal court cases continues to be burdensome and costly for defendants and constitutes a waste of limited judicial resources, Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz has empaneled a new Workgroup on Vexatious Litigants to review the Florida Vexatious Litigant Law.

In late 2021, the court established a Workgroup on Sanctions for Vexatious and Sham Litigation that reviewed rule and statutory provisions relating to vexatious and sham litigation in noncriminal cases. That initial workgroup found that the Florida Vexatious Litigant Law was too limited and recommended it be expanded to address a broader population of vexatious litigants. That workgroup also found “that scandalous, sham, and other improper matters stricken from noncriminal court filings remain subject to public disclosure and recommended the enactment of a public records exemption for such improper matters when public disclosure would defame and harm a litigant or third party.”

The new workgroup created by Administrative Order SC24-19 is charged with reviewing and making recommendations, for ultimate consideration by the Legislature, to improve the effectiveness of the Florida Vexatious Litigant Law and to address the public disclosure of improper matters stricken from noncriminal court filings that would defame and harm individuals.