How to Read a Florida Case Management Order

Where Rule 1.200 applies

Rule 1.200 applies to civil actions except those listed in subdivision (a). The exclusions include actions or proceedings initiated under chapters 731 through 736, 738 and 744, Florida Statutes (probate and guardianship), small claims actions unless ordered to proceed under the civil rules, actions in special divisions that issue their own case management orders and several others.

Tracks

• No later than 120 days after an action commences, the court must assign it to one of three tracks (streamlined, general or complex) by an initial case management order or a chief judge's administrative order. Assignment is based on the amount of judicial attention the case needs, not its dollar value.
• Streamlined cases involve some mutual knowledge of the facts, limited discovery needs, well-established liability and damages issues, few anticipated dispositive motions, minimal documentary evidence and an expected trial of no more than three days. Uncontested cases are generally presumed streamlined.
• General cases are all others that are not streamlined or complex.
• Complex cases are those designated by court order under Rule 1.201.
• A party seeking a track change must file promptly after good cause appears, and the court may also change a track on its own motion.

What the order must set

In streamlined and general cases the order specifies a projected or actual trial period and, at a minimum, deadlines for:

1. Service of complaints.
2. Service under extensions.
3. Adding new parties.
4. Completion of fact discovery.
5. Completion of expert discovery.
6. Filing and service of a motion for summary judgment.
7. Filing and resolution of all objections to pleadings.
8. Filing and resolution of all pretrial motions.
9. Completion of alternative dispute resolution.

The order must state that these deadlines will be strictly enforced unless changed by court order, and the court must issue it no later than 120 days after the action commences. No case management conference is required first.

Changing a deadline

• Parties may submit an agreed order extending a deadline only if the extension does not affect their ability to meet the remaining dates. If it may affect a later deadline, they must seek an amendment of the case management order rather than a single-date extension.
• A motion to extend a deadline, amend the order or change a projected trial period must state the basis for the request and when it became known, whether it is opposed, the specific date requested and whether all parties agree to it, and the actions and dates that will let the movant meet the new deadline, including confirming the availability of third-party witnesses and experts.
• Notices of unavailability do not change case management deadlines. A party who cannot meet a deadline must act under the rule, and may promptly set a case management conference, identifying the issues to be addressed.

Case management conferences

The court can set a conference at any time, and a party's notice must identify the specific issues and list all pending motions. Lawyers attending must be prepared on the pending matters and have authority to make binding agreements about motions, issues and scheduling. Summary judgment motions and motions requiring evidentiary hearings cannot be heard at a conference unless the parties agree, and failing to attend can lead to dismissal, striking of pleadings or limits on proof.

Calendar every date in the order as soon as it is entered, and set reminders ahead of each deadline. Count periods under Rule 2.514, and see the civil litigation deadlines cheat sheet for the other common dates.

General information for Florida practitioners, reviewed in October 2026 against the rule text linked above. It is not legal advice. Rules and circuit administrative orders change, so confirm against the current text and your circuit's requirements before relying on it.

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