61B-80.110. Filing; Service of Papers; Signing

(1) Filing. Unless specifically ordered by the arbitrator or provided for by these rules, every pleading or other paper filed in the proceedings, except an initial petition for arbitration, shall also be served on each party.

(2) Method and Proof of Service.

(a) When service is to be made upon a party represented by an attorney or by a qualified representative, service shall be made upon the attorney or representative unless service upon the party is ordered by the arbitrator. Service shall be made by delivering or mailing, by United States mail postage prepaid, a copy of the document to the attorney, representative, or party at that person’s last known address.

(b) In a recall arbitration proceeding, when the homeowners have not designated a homeowner representative to represent their interests or when the homeowner representative cannot be ascertained, the arbitrator shall require that the association post a copy of the petition for recall arbitration, the order allowing answer, or other pleading or order on the association property in the same location as it posts notices of meetings in accordance with subparagraph 720.303(2)(c)1., F.S.

(c) Certificate of Service. When any attorney, representative, or unrepresented party signs a certificate of service such as the following, the certificate of service shall be taken as evidence of service in compliance with these rules:

“I certify that a copy hereof has been furnished to (here insert name or names and address or addresses) by United States (U.S.) mail this ___ day of ___ , 20__ .”

___________________

Signature

(3) Number of Copies. Only the original of all pleadings shall be filed with the arbitrator; no copies shall be filed.  However, the initial petition for recall or election arbitration shall be accompanied by one (1) copy for the respondents.

(4) “Filing” shall mean actual receipt by the division during normal business hours or by the arbitrator during the course of a hearing.  Pleadings including the initial petition or other communications may be filed by regular hard copy or facsimile, and if filed by facsimile, a hard copy of the pleading or other communication need not be filed with the arbitrator; however, the party using facsimile filing bears the burden of ensuring that the pleading or other correspondence has actually been filed with the arbitrator. If a document is filed via facsimile, the facsimile confirmation sheet shall be evidence of the date on which the division received the document.  A facsimile copy is filed within the meaning of this rule when the facsimile copy of the document is received by the division.  No pleadings shall be faxed that exceed 30 pages in length including attachments.  When a party files a facsimile document with the arbitrator, the party shall also provide a facsimile copy to the other party if the fax number is available. If a party desires to receive orders via e-mail, the party must provide its e-mail address to the arbitrator assigned to the case.

(5) Any pleading or other document received after 5:00 p.m. shall be deemed to be filed as of 8:00 a.m. on the next regular business day.

(6) All pleadings and motions filed shall contain the following:

(a) The style of the proceeding involved:

(b) The case number, if any;

(c) The name of the party on whose behalf the pleading or motion is filed;

(d) The name, address, and telephone number of the person filing the pleading or motion;

(e) The signature of the person filing the pleading or motion; and

(f) A certificate of service attesting that copies have been furnished to other parties as required by paragraph (2)(c) of this rule.

Specific Authority 718.1255(4)(i), 718.112(2)(j)5., 720.303(10)(d), 720.306(9), 720.311(1) FS. Law Implemented 720.303(10), 720.306(9), 720.311(1) FS. History–New 2-3-05.