Florida courts are continuing to have increasing difficulty because of a lack of funds, while support is building among the business community for better court funding. Those were two among many points made at the third court budget summit held by the Bar’s Criminal Law Section in Tallahassee October 23. The seriousness of the problem was underscored by the attendance of Chief Justice Peggy Quince, who brought both cautionary and encouraging words.

Court system cutbacks: Let's hear from you
A new bulletin board on The Florida Bar Web site allows attorneys to post accounts of how the state budget crisis is affecting their ability to get cases heard and disputes resolved in Florida’s courts. “We are 84,000 members strong and we can make a difference,” said Bar President Jay White, as he encouraged members to log on and tell their stories. “Let your voices be heard before legislators meet again. This crisis is too important to leave to others.”

Court overturns workers' comp lawyer fee caps
Workers’ compensation attorneys are celebrating a landmark Supreme Court decision that overturns a Florida law severely limiting attorneys’ fees for claimants in workers’ comp cases.