Florida Civil Trial Practice

This is the best place to begin your research or refresh your knowledge of trial practice, from the decision whether to seek jury trial, to orders and judgments.

Experienced litigators share their knowledge and provide:

• Practical advice on making successful opening and closing statements
• Information on compelling attendance of, and examining, witnesses
• Tips on jury selection
• Guidance on getting evidence admitted
• Requirements for motions, orders, and judgments
• Numerous helpful forms and checklists

Highlights:

• Discussion of:
• jury's access to communications, juror misconduct, and obtaining postverdict juror interviews
• extrajudicial statements inadvertently made via communication technology
• court's power to muzzle public commentary by lawyers
• strategies and techniques for opening statements, direct and cross examination, and closing arguments
• getting electronically stored information admitted into evidence
• amended jury instructions for civil cases and amended Rule 1.480(b) regarding motions for directed verdict

• New case law addressing:
• what constitutes waiver of jury trial
• jurisdiction for hearing case, and setting case for trial
• use of hypothetical questions during voir dire
• proper objections to peremptory challenges and backstriking jurors
• what constitutes attorney misconduct
• relevance and materiality of testimony, getting opinion testimony and scientific testimony admitted into evidence, and application of parol evidence and best evidence rules
• improper references in opening and closing arguments
• privileged communications
• judicial disqualification
• preserving error for appeal
• sufficiency of motions for remittitur and collateral source reductions
• recoverable costs, fees, and interest
• final and interlocutory orders

• Updated forms for pleadings, motions, orders, notices, affidavits, questionnaires, judgments, and verdicts.

This eBook features links to Lexis Advance for further legal research options.