Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.080

SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS AND DOCUMENTS OTHER THAN STATEMENT OF CLAIM

Verbatim from the official edition

Text — July 1, 2026 edition

(a) When Required. Copies of all pleadings and papers subsequent to the summons/notice to appear, except applications for witness subpoenas and orders and judgments entered in open court, shall be served on each party. One against whom a default has been entered is entitled to be served only with pleadings asserting new or additional claims.

(b) How Made. When a party is represented by an attorney, service of papers other than the statement of claim and summons/notice to appear shall be made on the attorney unless the court orders service to be made on the party. Service on an attorney or a party not represented by an attorney must be made in compliance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.

(d) Filing with the Court Defined. The filing of documents with the court as required by these rules is made by filing them with the clerk, except that the judge may permit the documents to be filed with the judge, in which event the judge shall note thereon the filing date and transmit them to the clerk, and the clerk shall file them as of the same date they were filed with the judge. Parties represented by an attorney must file documents in compliance with the electronic filing (e-filing) requirements set forth in Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.525. Parties not represented by an attorney may file documents in compliance with the e-filing requirement if permitted by the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.

(e) Certificate of Service.

(1) When any party or attorney in substance certifies: “I certify that a copy hereof has been furnished to (here insert name or names and address or addresses) by (delivery) (mail) (e-mail) on .....(date)...... Party or party’s attorney” the certificate is prima facie proof of such service in compliance with all rules of court and law.

(2) When any paper is served by the clerk, a docket entry shall be made showing the mode and date of service. Such entry is sufficient proof of service without a separate certificate of service.

(f) When a Party Who is Not Represented by an Attorney Fails to Show Service. If a party who is not represented by an attorney files a paper that does not show service of a copy on all other parties, the clerk shall serve a copy of it on all other parties.

Notes and commentary — not rule text

Court Commentary

1972 Amendment. Subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) are substantially the same as Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.080(a), (b), (d), (e), and (f).

Source of truth

Edition: July 1, 2026 edition
Official file: https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2026/08/2026_01-JUL-Small-Claims-Rules-7-1-2026-1.pdf (PDF pages 14–15)
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This rule cites

Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.

Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration

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.