Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.514 is the foundation of every deadline calculation in Florida state courts. If you're a docket specialist working Florida cases, you need to know this rule cold.
The Basics
Rule 2.514(a) establishes the fundamental rules for computing time:
- Day 1 is excluded. When counting days, exclude the day of the triggering event.
- Weekends and holidays matter — sometimes. If the period is less than 7 days, exclude intermediate weekends and holidays. If 7 days or more, count them but roll the final day if it lands on a weekend or holiday.
- The "next day" rule. If the last day of a period falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
Florida Legal Holidays (2.514(a)(6))
The rule defines specific holidays. Missing one means miscalculating every deadline that spans it:
- - New Year's Day
- - Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
- - Presidents' Day
- - Memorial Day
- - Juneteenth
- - Independence Day
- - Labor Day
- - Columbus Day
- - Veterans' Day
- - Thanksgiving Day (and Friday after)
- - Christmas Day
The 5-Day Service Addition
Under Rule 2.514(b), when service is by mail or e-mail, add 5 calendar days to the response period. This catches many new docket specialists off guard.
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