SB 2692 Summary

• Creates new liability standards requiring courts to enter judgments based on each party's percentage of fault initially, not joint and several liability, in negligence cases including strict liability and product liability claims.

• Eliminates litigation privilege and immunity defenses in statutory causes of action, abuse of process, malicious prosecution, and fraud upon the court cases.

• Allows assignment or transfer of all claims and rights (commercial or personal) in whole or part, with any existing fiduciary or confidential relationship waived by implication.

• Restricts sheriffs, clerks of court, and their full-time deputies from practicing law except when representing their office or agency, while codifying authorized lay representation under specific statutes and court rules.

• Requires appellate court opinions to cite at least one binding authority for each point reviewed and permits case examination without trial transcripts; creates criminal sanctions for attorneys violating court rules and the Florida Bar oath.