R. Regulating Fla. Bar 4-3.2 · 4-3. ADVOCATE
EXPEDITING LITIGATION
Text — October 1, 2026 edition
A lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client.
Notes and commentary — not rule text
Comment
Dilatory practices bring the administration of justice into disrepute. Although there will be occasions when a lawyer may properly seek a postponement for personal reasons, it is not proper for a lawyer to routinely fail to expedite litigation solely for the convenience of the advocates. Nor will a failure to expedite be reasonable if done for the purpose of frustrating an opposing party’s attempt to obtain rightful redress or repose. It is not a justification that similar conduct is often tolerated by the bench and bar. The question is whether a competent lawyer acting in good faith would regard the course of action as having some substantial purpose other than delay. Realizing financial or other benefit from otherwise improper delay in litigation is not a legitimate interest of the client.
History
Amended March 23, 2006, effective May 22, 2006 (933 So.2d 417).
Source of truth
- Edition
- October 1, 2026 edition
- Official file
- https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/10/2027_04-OCT-RRTFB-10-1-2026.pdf (PDF pages 321)
- Text hash
- sha256 5cef4b8e8aec6cd39563ca92a33f87b392b55f789074ccca3de3c113d1444044
- Composed by
- compose_bar.py 2026-10-04: the edition's printed headings as the inventory (reconciled to its bookmarks both ways), pypdfium2 primary, PyMuPDF check, every word of each span accounted for
- composed from the PDF edition; both extractors agree
Procedural information only. Not legal advice and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Confirm the current text with the official publisher before relying on it.