Clerk ’ s CORNER
The Clerk ’ s “ Cover ” Story : Amendment to the Civil Case Cover Sheet
A recent change to Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.997 will require lawyers to add a classification for filings involving sexual abuse cases to their electronically filed cover sheets . Effective April 1 , 2022 , the Supreme Court of Florida approved changes to form 1.997 ( Civil Cover Sheet ). While the Rule previously required that a civil cover sheet be submitted to the clerk at the time of filing an initiating document , the amendment to form 1.997 was implemented to assist clerks in identifying sexual abuse cases for continued redaction .
The impetus for this amendment was the recent change to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420 ( d ). On July 1 , 2021 , amended Rule 2.420 ( d ) went into effect , eliminating the clerk ’ s obligation to review and redact confidential information in
certain types of civil cases unless a notice of confidential information was filed . However , certain case types will continue to be redacted by the clerk , including civil cases resulting from instances of sexual abuse . Accordingly , the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers requested a mechanism to identify these types of cases so that confidential information was not accidentally disclosed .
Recognizing the importance of protecting this type of highly sensitive information , the Florida Supreme Court issued Order No . SC21-1598 . This order amends form 1.997 to ask whether the case involves allegations of sexual abuse . Filers are now required to respond by placing an “ X ” on the appropriate line indicating either “ yes ” or “ no .” This designation will greatly assist both lawyers and clerks in fulfilling their shared obligation to ensure that sensitive information is not revealed to the public .
Lawyers electronically filing documents should be aware of the amendment to the civil case cover sheet and their obligation to designate filings to identify sexual abuse cases . The Sarasota Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller ’ s Office urges that attorneys and other legal professionals who file court documents review amended Rule 1.997 and become familiar with the changes so that sensitive , confidential information is not inadvertently made available to the public . �
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32 | THE DOCKET - APRIL 2022