All Posts in "Judicial Circuit"
Changes to Complex Litigation Divisions
17th Judicial Circuit Announces Changes to Complex Litigation Divisions
Chief Judge Weinstein recently signed a new Administrative Order regarding the Complex Litigation Business and Tort Divisions
Attorneys and Litigants should note highlights in the Administrative Order:
• Cases may be direct filed into a Complex Business or Tort Division utilizing a form to be completed and filed through the e portal
• Procedures regarding a request to transfer a tort case from a general division judge to a complex division have not changed
• Requests to transfer a business case from a general division to a complex division shall be heard on a transfer calendar by the Administrative Judge of Circuit Civil (Judge Tuter)
• All business cases set out in A-H shall either be mandatorily filed if new, or if an existing case shall, on motion set on the transfer calendar, be transferred to the complex business division including:
A) All UCC non-consumer claims which exceed $150,000
B) All commercial foreclosure exceeding $500,000 which are accompanied by a request/motion for appointment of a receiver or assignment of rents
C) All cases in which the subject matter is an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors
D) All business dissolutions and related shareholder/partnership/LLC disputes
E) Any business case where the subject matter relates to trade secrets where the amount in controversy exceeds $150,000
F) All business cases involving Non-Competition Agreements or disputes where the amount in controversy exceeds $150,000
G) Disputes involving the confirmation of non-consumer arbitration awards
H) All shareholder derivative actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $150,000
• Any denial of a request to transfer a case to complex business or tort may be heard by the Administrative Judge of Circuit Civil
URGENT NOTICE – Potential Juror Scam
Chief Judge Peter Weinstein once again issues a warning to Broward County residents regarding juror scams. While it is important that citizens respond to the call for jury duty, Broward residents should know that the jury services division in the 17th circuit and law enforcement agencies throughout the county will never contact citizens via phone to solicit money or social security numbers for failure to appear at jury duty. If you are contacted by anyone telling you that there is a warrant for your arrest for failure to appear at jury duty and/or telling you that if you submit payment you will not be arrested, hang up the phone and contact Broward County Jury Services at 954-831-6089.
Free Wi-Fi Access to Court Records
Effective April 7, 2014, the 17th Judicial Circuit Court and the Clerk of Courts for the 17th Judicial Circuit jointly announce free Wi-Fi access to electronic court records. Access to clerk of court filings may be obtained via the Court’s wireless Wi-Fi access points throughout all four Broward County courthouses; Main Courthouse downtown in Fort Lauderdale, West Courthouse in Plantation, North Courthouse in Deerfield Beach, and South Courthouse in Hollywood.
All citizens, attorneys, law enforcement or state agencies, and any other interested parties will be able to access the clerk of court’s website and obtain efiled pleadings, case information and other matters of record that have been filed in a particular case.
The website service permitting access to Clerk of Court records is Broward County Electronic Court Records which can be found at http://ecr.browardclerk.info. This website will permit anyone to search and view case details or other electronically filed images attached to a particular case.
Please remember certain clerk of court files contain a hybrid of efiled documents or images and original paper filed documents. Website access only permits viewing of efiled images.
Users of the web service should access the site via Wi-Fi enabled devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and iPads utilizing web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. Other portable devices may be able to connect, but viewing may be limited based on a device’s display capabilities.
To access the service while in a courthouse:
1. Connect your device to wireless network “Courthouse Public Wi-Fi”.
2. Enter http://ecr.browardclerk.info in your browser and accept website disclaimer to continue.
3. Begin your search by entering the name of a party, case number or other search criteria depending on the type of case.
4. Access to court records are dictated by the Florida Supreme Court and therefore confidential filings and other images not approved for public view may not be available.
5. Document images may not be downloaded or printed.
Please note a few variables that may impact the ability to access case records:
* The website may not be compatible with all portable devices or web browsers.
* Wi-Fi coverage may not be available in certain areas of the Courthouse.
* Guidelines for use of laptops and portable devices in the courtrooms are at the discretion of the Chief Judge, individual Division Judges and Court Administration.
* For help, technical support, and questions about the website, contact ecr@browardclerk.org
Judge Merrigan Appointed to Circuit Bench
Congratulations to Judge Edward Merrigan who was appointed to the Circuit Court bench on Friday, March 20 by Governor Rick Scott. A County Court judge since 2009, Judge Merrigan has presided in the county criminal division as well as Broward Veterans’ Treatment Court.
Judge Merrigan received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law and began his career as an attorney in 1989. He also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and was recently promoted to the rank of Colonel.
On behalf of the entire 17th Circuit family, well done Judge Merrigan!
