IN RE: AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 9.710. (2026)

The Florida Bar's Appellate Court Rules Committee (Committee) filed a report proposing amendments to Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.710(b) (Eligibility for Mediation).¹ This Court published the proposal for comment, and the Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules and Policy filed a comment in support of the amendments. The Committee filed a response expressing gratitude for the supportive comment. Having considered the proposed amendments, the comment received, and the Committee's response, we hereby amend rule 9.710(b).

First, rule 9.710(b) is amended to exclude petitions filed under rule 9.100(c)(2) from the prohibition against referring extraordinary writ matters to appellate mediation. Second, a reference to habeas corpus is deleted as superfluous.

The Court hereby amends the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure as reflected in the appendix to this opinion. New language is indicated by underscoring; deletions are indicated by struck-through type. The amendments become effective July 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m.

It is so ordered.

APPENDIX

RULE 9.710. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEDIATION

Any case filed may be referred to mediation at the discretion of the court, but under no circumstances may the following categories of actions be referred:

(a) [No Change]

(b) habeas corpus andextraordinary writs petitions, except those filed under rule 9.100(c)(2);

(c) – (f) [No Change]

FOOTNOTES

1.   We have jurisdiction. See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const.; see also Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.140(b)(1).

PER CURIAM.

MUÑIZ, C.J., and LABARGA, COURIEL, GROSSHANS, FRANCIS, SASSO, and TANENBAUM, JJ., concur.