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Small claims cases (up to $8,000) begin with a mandatory pretrial conference where the court narrows issues and typically orders mediation. Failure to appear can result in default or dismissal.
Florida > All counties > Small claims (claims up to $8,000, exclusive of costs, interest, and attorneys' fees)
Appear at the pretrial conference at the date and time in the summons/notice to appear — the plaintiff and defendant must appear personally or by counsel, subject to the appearance provisions of rule 7.090(b) and the court's power to excuse appearance under 7.090(e). Be prepared to state the case, admit or deny the claim, and participate in mediation, which may take place at the pretrial conference. If the defendant does not appear at the scheduled time, the plaintiff is entitled to a default under rule 7.170(a).
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Reviewer note: CORRECTED Phase 9.3 (2026-08-01): default consequence sits in rule 7.170(a) (plaintiff ENTITLED to default on defendant nonappearance), not 7.090; no plaintiff-nonappearance dismissal provision exists; appearance can be excused under 7.090(e). Verified from the Bar's 7/1/2026 Small Claims Rules.
Judge Wolfe enforces AO S-2024-062(28)(A) with teeth: every pretrial motion in a case transferred to TD-3 must be scheduled and heard by the original transferring judge — failure to do so timely is deemed a waiver.
Judge Rice mirrors the F-division waiver with an exception: all motions other than motions in limine must be filed AND heard before the Pretrial Conference or they are waived; limine motions must at least be filed by then.