COMPLEX BUSINESS LITIGATION DIVISION E-FILING TO BE SUSPENDED NOVEMBER 4, 2011
For the reasons described below, ALL ELECTRONIC FILING IN DIVISION L, COMPLEX BUSINESS LITIGATION, CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION, WILL BE SUSPENDED EFFECTIVE 5 P.M., NOVEMBER 4, 2011, until further notice.
Previously, electronic filing has been mandatory for all pleadings filed in Division L cases after the initial complaint (Administrative Order S-2009-080 “Electronic Filing in Complex Business Litigation Division ‘L’”). Due to the implementation of a new case maintenance system in the Circuit Civil Divisions by the Hillsborough County Clerk of the Court and the implementation of the Statewide E-Filing Portal, it is necessary for the Clerk to suspend all electronic filing in Division “L” effective 5 p.m. on November 4, 2011.
As a result of the change in the case maintenance system used by the Clerk, the Clerk must also discontinue BizCourt access for members of the Bar. Paper files have been maintained by the Clerk on all active cases and counsel needing to review filed pleadings and orders will have to come to the Clerk’s office to see the contents of the file effective 5 p.m. on November 4, 2011.
The target date for Division “L” to resume electronic filing and for all other Circuit Civil divisions to commence electronic filing is March of 2012. At that time electronic filing will be accomplished through the Statewide E-filing Portal. The Clerk will notify all concerned as to the precise date that electronic filing will begin.
The Clerk understands that Complex Business Litigation Division “L” will be implementing some changes to its operating procedures also effective 5 p.m. on November 4, 2011. Persons interested in those changes should go to the website for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit or the Complex Business Litigation Division “L” for that information.
Please continue to submit all original pleadings to the Circuit Civil Division, P.O. Box 989, Tampa, FL 33601-0989. If you have any questions, you may contact the Circuit Civil Division at (813) 276-2029, Ext. 3450.
The Complex Business Litigation Division (CBLD) was established on January 22, 2007 pursuant to Administrative (AO) Order S-2007-004. AO S-2007-0004 was superseded by AO S-2008-105 on August 18, 2008. General Civil Division “L” was designated to hear Circuit Civil cases that meet the qualifications based on the Administrative Order. The cases assigned to this division should have an amount in controversy greater than $150,000.00 or be an action or claim concerning complex business issues. The Hon. Richard Nielsen presides over this division in the 13th Judicial Circuit.
Introduction of E-Filing
Since there is a high volume of paper in complex litigation cases, e-filing will be offered in this Division as of August 17, 2009, pursuant to Administrative Order S-2009 080. This is a joint project undertaken by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Judiciary. With this development, attorneys will be able to upload pleadings via e-filing which will automatically be placed in the official court file, and a docket entry will be made automatically in the official Clerk’s records. Also, attorneys will be able to review the electronic court file from their office.
Attorneys will continue to schedule hearings in Division L through the court’s website www.fljud13.org.
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact our office at (813) 276-8100 ext. 3450, or by email at CirCivE-Filing@Hillsclerk.com.
