Mandatory E-Mail Service: Not so Fast!

I think the Florida Supreme Court’s ears must have been burning — the Court today issued a corrected opinion [.pdf available here] accompanied by a correction notice [.pdf] changing the implementation date of the state’s new e-mail service rules from July 1, 2012 to September 1, 2012.

The implementation date is the only change — the rest of the new Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516 will operate as I previously reported.

The Florida Bar announced on its main page:

The Florida Bar will provide complimentary education on the mandatory email service requirements prior to the effective date.

Moving the implementation date was a good call — folks who are used to a Federal Court practice probably have systems in place to deal with e-mail service, but those whose practice is solely in state court probably need more than a weeks’ notice to figure out office protocols to avoid e-mailed documents falling through the cracks. The July 1 date wasn’t even enough time to get the news into the Florida Bar News. And for some attorneys, the promised CLE from the Florida Bar will be very helpful.

Thank you, Florida Supreme Court!