Announcements

 In the age of virtual mediations, the natural question arose in conjunction with the impending landfall of Hurricane Ian. Will mediations be cancelled. The short answer is that this is up to the assigned mediator. If you are scheduled for a live mediation, in-person, in one of our District Offices, watch for closure announcements. See Ian Closures (September 2022) for an example.  So, “if a district closes, and a mediator has cases scheduled in that district, does the mediator proceed as scheduled?”  That is within the mediator's discretion.  So, if the attorneys and parties are located in the district that is closed for emergency, the default should be to cancel and reschedule when it can be rescheduled.This is the best for everyone's safety. BUT If the case is assigned to a district that is closed, but the lawyers/parties want to proceed, the mediator may do so within her/his discretion (the parties may be litigating in St. Petersburg, but are all located in Miami,

Updated October 7, 2022. District Ft. Myers reopens Monday, October 10, 2022! We are pleased to see this recovery, recognizing that many in that region will be working for months with various challenges that flow in the wake of such an event. The community needs the OJCC, and I am proud of the Ft. Myers team and their efforts to reopen and begin the tasks necessary to keep the interests of injured workers and employers moving through this process.  Updated October 5, 2022. Orlando District reopened October 4, 2022, but had air conditioning issues. It is open as normal today. District Daytona is reopened as normal today.  District Ft. Myers remains closed due to electrical and other utility challenges. Courts in Ft. Myers are closed through October 7, 2022 and so we anticipate closure there for at least the remainder of this week. All trials scheduled in District Ft. Myers between September 27, 2022 and October 13, 2022 have been continued, orders are in the docket and the continuances

The Statewide Nominating Commission for Judges of Compensation Claims (SNCJCC) will meet Monday, October 3, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. ET at 1507 Belvedere Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33406 (offices of the Palm Beach County Bar) to interview for four reappointments and one vacant judicial positions in Orlando and one vacant judicial position in West Palm Beach. The following applications were received prior to the deadline. If you have comments regarding any applicant, contact the Commission by correspondence to Loretta Sloan, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 or Loretta.Sloan@doah.state.fl.us. Reappointments Honorable Ralph Humphries (JAX) Honorable W. Ray Holley (JAX) Honorable Michael Ring (FTL) Honorable Rita Young (SPT) Orlando (Advertisement withdrawn 09.26.22) Holly Nicole Akers, Jacksonville (withdrawn 09.22.22) Silvia Maria Hoeg, Orlando (Advertisement withdrawn 09.26.22) James Crawford Price, Miami (Advertisement withdrawn 09.26.22) West Palm Beach Jeffrey