CertiorArireviewoforDersDenYingDisCoverY
Appellate Practice Section
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jurisdictional and often referred to collectively as “ irreparable harm .” 3
The general rule is that orders denying discovery are not reviewable by certiorari because they do not typically result in irreparable harm . 4 But this rule is not absolute . There is an “ exceedingly narrow exception ” when a petitioner can show the discovery sought is “ reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and the order denying that discovery effectively eviscerates a party ’ s claim , defense or counterclaim .” 5 In particular , appellate courts have found irreparable harm when the petitioner is precluded from deposing a party or material witness . 6
Even if the petitioner can show irreparable harm , he or she must also show the trial court ’ s order departs from the essential requirements of the law . Because the trial court has broad discretion over the administration and limits of discovery , a successful petition for writ of certiorari will have to demonstrate that the trial court has made a serious legal error or abused its broad discretion . 7
In sum , orders denying discovery are not insulated from immediate appellate review . But to warrant a writ of certiorari , the harm must be critical and the error clear . n
1
Fla . R . App . P . 9.130 ( a )( 3 ).
2
Hepco Data , LLC v . Hepco Med ., LLC , 301 So . 3d 406 , 409-10 ( Fla . 2d DCA 2020 ).
3
Sch . Bd . of Hillsborough Cnty . v . Woodford , 270 So . 3d 481 , 483 ( Fla . 2d DCA 2019 ).
4
Giacalone v . Hellen Ellis Mem ’ l Hosp . Found ., Inc ., 8 So . 3d 1232 , 1234 ( Fla . 2d DCA 2009 ).
5
Am . Prime Title Servs ., LLC v . Wang , 317 So . 3d 1183 , 1185-86 ( Fla . 3d DCA 2021 ) ( quoting Westerbeke Corp . v . Atherton , 224 So . 3d 816 , 821 ( Fla . 2d DCA 2017 )) ( emphasis added ).
6
Hepco Data , 301 So . 3d at 412-13 ; Nucci v . Simmons , 20 So . 3d 388 , 390 ( Fla . 2d DCA 2009 ); Beekie v . Morgan , 751 So . 2d 694 , 698 ( Fla . 5th DCA 2000 ). 7
Baker ex rel . Baker v . Eckerd Corp ., 697 So . 2d 970 , 971 ( Fla . 2d DCA 1997 ).
Authors : Brandon K . Breslow & Kristin A . Norse - Kynes , Markman & Felman , P . A .
The HCBA thanks The Yerrid Law Firm for its Diamond Sponsorship of the 24th Annual Bench Bar Conference & Judicial Reception . We appreciate your generous support !
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