60Q-6.114. Discovery

(1) Any party may commence with discovery methods specifically authorized by statute, including depositions, issuance of subpoenas and requests for production, prior to or after invoking the jurisdiction of the judge.

(2) Depositions.

(a) Depositions of witnesses or parties may be taken and used in the same manner and for the same purposes as provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

(b) Approval of the judge is not necessary to take a deposition by telephone. If a deposition is taken by telephone, the oath shall be administered in the physical presence of the witness by a notary public or other person authorized by law to administer oaths, unless the parties stipulate to administration of the oath telephonically.

(3) Production and entry on land. Any party may seek production of documents or other tangible things from other parties or non-parties and may seek entry onto land or other property as provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Documents shall be delivered in electronic form if so requested unless the judge determines good cause has been shown to produce paper copies.

(4) Responses and objections to depositions, production, or entry shall be made as provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure.

(5) The judge may enter orders to effectuate discovery, including orders compelling discovery, protective orders, and orders imposing sanctions as provided in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure for failure to comply with or for using discovery methods not specifically authorized by statute. For good cause shown, the judge may enlarge or shorten applicable timeframes for complying with discovery.

Rulemaking Authority 440.45(1)(a), (4) FS. Law Implemented 440.30, 440.33(1), 440.45(1)(a), (4) FS. History–New 2-23-03, Amended 11-1-06, 10-31-10, 10-31-12, 11-10-14.