A workgroup created by the Florida Supreme Court has prepared a report recommending procedural rule changes that would impose greater judicial control on civil cases, tighten rules (including tougher sanctions) for discovery, depositions, and continuances, and require reports to the Supreme Court when judges do not expeditiously rule on motions and decide cases.

The court is now accepting comments on the proposals put forth by the Judicial Management Council’s Workgroup on Improved Resolution of Civil Cases and the Board of Governors is encouraging Florida attorneys to review the report and file their comments with the court by March 31.

Chief Justice Charles Canady referred to numerous changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration when he addressed the Board of Governors recently in Tallahassee and also urged Bar members, rules committees, and any interested members of the public to submit comments.