Some of the Supreme Court’s proposed changes to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.442 (Proposals for Settlement), including joint proposals for settlement, are confusing, conflict with existing law, and might do more harm than good, attorneys warned justices.

During April 6 oral arguments, Tallahassee attorney Bailey Howard, arguing for the Florida Justice Association, said some of the proposed amendments would require “minor tweaks” to avoid conflicting with statutes.

“The real heart of the comment is to make sure that there is consistency with the statutes, and that should be the court’s first concern,” Howard said.