The Florida Senate

57.011  Costs; security by nonresidents.

57.021  Costs; taxing.

57.031  Costs; record.

57.041  Costs; recovery from losing party.

57.051  Costs; prohibition against unlawful exaction.

57.061  Costs; recovery of illegally exacted; procedure.

57.071  Costs; what taxable.

57.081  Costs; right to proceed where prepayment of costs waived.

57.085  Waiver of prepayment of court costs and fees for indigent prisoners.

57.091  Costs; refunded to counties in certain proceedings relating to state prisoners.

57.101  Costs in Supreme Court; certain not taxable.

57.104  Computation of attorneys' fees.

57.105  Attorney's fee; sanctions for raising unsupported claims or defenses; service of motions; damages for delay of litigation.

57.111  Civil actions and administrative proceedings initiated by state agencies; attorneys' fees and costs.

57.115  Execution on judgments; attorney's fees and costs.

57.011  Costs; security by nonresidents.--When a nonresident plaintiff begins an action or when a plaintiff after beginning an action removes himself or herself or his or her effects from the state, he or she shall file a bond with surety to be approved by the clerk of $100, conditioned to pay all costs which may be adjudged against him or her in said action in the court in which the action is brought. On failure to file such bond within 30 days after such commencement or such removal, the defendant may, after 20 days' notice to plaintiff (during which the plaintiff may file such bond), move to dismiss the action or may hold the attorney bringing or prosecuting the action liable for said costs and if they are adjudged against plaintiff, an execution shall issue against said attorney.

History.--s. 8, Nov. 23, 1828; s. 4, Nov. 21, 1829; RS 1301; GS 1733; RGS 2948; CGL 4672; s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 310, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 58.01.

57.021  Costs; taxing.--The clerk or the judge shall tax the costs accruing in each action when it is determined and shall keep a duplicate of the costs bill on file among the original papers in the action. Each item of costs shall be enumerated in the bill.

History.--ss. 5, 6, ch. 78, 1847; RS 1302; GS 1734; RGS 2949; CGL 4673; s. 13, ch. 67-254.

Note.--Former s. 58.02.

57.031  Costs; record.--All officers who are allowed to charge fees and costs shall keep a book in which they shall record an itemized account of all the costs and fees which they charge against parties having business with them. The book shall be open at all times for inspection of parties wishing to examine the costs charged for any service rendered by the officers.

History.--ss. 1, 2, ch. 3252, 1881; RS 1303; GS 1735; RGS 2950; CGL 4674; s. 13, ch. 67-254.

Note.--Former s. 58.03.

57.041  Costs; recovery from losing party.--

(1)  The party recovering judgment shall recover all his or her legal costs and charges which shall be included in the judgment; but this section does not apply to executors or administrators in actions when they are not liable for costs.

(2)  Costs may be collected by execution on the judgment or order assessing costs.

History.--s. 71, Nov. 23, 1828; s. 7, ch. 73, 1847; RS 1304; GS 1736; RGS 2951; CGL 4675; s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 311, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 58.04.

57.051  Costs; prohibition against unlawful exaction.--

(1)  PROHIBITION.--No officer shall make two charges for the same official act or service, nor charge for any constructive service. No fee shall be charged for any official service performed or claimed to be performed by any officer unless the fee is specifically authorized and its amount is specified by law.

(2)  PENALTY.--When any officer willfully charges or levies more than he or she is entitled to, the officer shall forfeit and pay to the party injured 4 times the amount unjustly claimed which may be recovered on motion in the court where the services were rendered.

History.--ss. 2, 8, ch. 73, 1847; ss. 3, 4, ch. 1535, 1866; RS 1305; GS 1737; RGS 2952; CGL 4676; s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 312, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 58.05.

57.061  Costs; recovery of illegally exacted; procedure.--

(1)  SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS.--Any person aggrieved by any charge for costs by any officer may have its correctness determined by a court and jury by giving 5 days' notice to the officer making the charge, stating in the notice the time and place of trial. The judge shall enter the action for trial on the day specified in the notice unless he or she extends the time.

(2)  VERDICT AND JUDGMENT.--If the jury finds for plaintiff, it shall find the amount which has been improperly collected and the court shall enter judgment for 4 times the amount on which execution shall issue.

History.--ss. 4, 5, 6, Mar. 10, 1843; s. 2, ch. 73, 1847; RS 1305; GS 1737; RGS 2952; CGL 4676; s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 313, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 58.06.

57.071  Costs; what taxable.--

(1)  If costs are awarded to any party, the following shall also be allowed:

(a)  The reasonable premiums or expenses paid on all bonds or other security furnished by such party.

(b)  The expense of the court reporter for per diem, transcribing proceedings and depositions, including opening statements and arguments by counsel.

(c)  Any sales or use tax due on legal services provided to such party, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary.

(2)  Expert witness fees may not be awarded as taxable costs unless the party retaining the expert witness furnishes each opposing party with a written report signed by the expert witness which summarizes the expert witness's opinions and the factual basis of the opinions, including documentary evidence and the authorities relied upon in reaching the opinions. Such report shall be filed at least 5 days prior to the deposition of the expert or at least 20 days prior to discovery cutoff, whichever is sooner, or as otherwise determined by the court. This subsection does not apply to any action proceeding under the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure.

History.--s. 1, ch. 16246, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4680(1); s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 42, ch. 87-6; s. 5, ch. 99-225.

Note.--Former s. 58.08.

57.081  Costs; right to proceed where prepayment of costs waived.--

(1)  Any indigent person, except a prisoner as defined in s. 57.085, who is a party or intervenor in any judicial or administrative agency proceeding or who initiates such proceeding shall receive the services of the courts, sheriffs, and clerks, with respect to such proceedings, without charge. Such services are limited to filing fees; service of process; certified copies of orders or final judgments; a single photocopy of any court pleading, record, or instrument filed with the clerk; examining fees; mediation services and fees; court-appointed counsel fees; subpoena fees and services; service charges for collecting and disbursing funds; and any other cost or service arising out of pending litigation. In any appeal from an administrative agency decision, for which the clerk is responsible for preparing the transcript, the clerk shall waive the cost of preparing the transcripts and the cost for copies of any exhibits in the record. Prepayment of costs to any court, clerk, or sheriff is not required in any action if the party has obtained from the clerk in each proceeding a certification of indigency, based on an affidavit of the applicant claiming that the applicant is indigent and unable to pay the charges otherwise payable by law to any of such officers, providing the details of the applicant's financial condition, and containing a statement that certifies that no person has been paid or promised any payment of any remuneration by the applicant for services performed on behalf of the applicant in connection with the action or proceeding. However, when the person is represented by an attorney, the person need not file an affidavit in order to be exempt from payment of charges under this subsection. A represented person is exempt from charges under this subsection if the attorney of such person files a written certificate, signed by the attorney, certifying that the attorney has made an investigation to ascertain the financial condition of the client and has found the client to be indigent; that the attorney has investigated the nature of the applicant's position and in the attorney's opinion it is meritorious as a matter of law; and that the attorney has not been paid or promised payment of any remuneration for services and intends to act as attorney for the applicant without compensation. On the failure or refusal of the clerk to issue a certificate of indigency, the applicant is entitled to a review of the application for the certificate by the court having jurisdiction of the cause of action.

(2)  Any sheriff who, in complying with the terms of this section, expends personal funds for automotive fuel or ordinary carfare in serving the process of those qualifying under this section may requisition the board of county commissioners of the county for the actual expense, and on the submission to the board of county commissioners of appropriate proof of any such expenditure, the board of county commissioners shall pay the amount of the actual expense from the general fund of the county to the requisitioning officer.

(3)  If an applicant prevails in an action, costs shall be taxed in his or her favor as provided by law and, when collected, shall be applied to pay costs which otherwise would have been required and which have not been paid.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 17883, 1937; CGL 1940 Supp. 4680(2); s. 15, ch. 29615, 1955; s. 1, ch. 57-251; s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 14, ch. 73-334; s. 1, ch. 80-348; s. 18, ch. 94-348; s. 1362, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 96-106; s. 9, ch. 97-107.

Note.--Former s. 58.09.

57.085  Waiver of prepayment of court costs and fees for indigent prisoners.--

(1)  For the purposes of this section, the term "prisoner" means a person who has been convicted of a crime and is incarcerated for that crime or who is being held in custody pending extradition or sentencing.

(2)  When a prisoner who is intervening in or initiating a judicial proceeding seeks waiver of prepayment of court costs and fees because of indigency, the prisoner must file an affidavit of indigency with the appropriate clerk of the court. The affidavit must contain complete information about the prisoner's identity; the nature and amount of the prisoner's income; all real property owned by the prisoner; all tangible and intangible property worth more than $100 which is owned by the prisoner; the amount of cash held by the prisoner; the balance of any checking, savings, or money market account held by the prisoner; the prisoner's dependents, including their names and ages; the prisoner's debts, including the name of each debtor and the amount owed to each debtor; and the prisoner's monthly expenses. The prisoner must certify in the affidavit whether the prisoner has been adjudicated indigent under this section, certified indigent under s. 57.081, or authorized to proceed as an indigent under 28 U.S.C. s. 1915 by a federal court. The prisoner must attach to the affidavit a photocopy of the prisoner's trust account records for the preceding 6 months or for the length of the prisoner's incarceration, whichever period is shorter. The affidavit must contain the following statements: "I am unable to pay court costs and fees. Under penalty of perjury, I swear or affirm that all statements in this affidavit are true and complete."

(3)  Before a prisoner may receive a waiver of prepayment of any court costs and fees for an action brought under this section, the court must review the affidavit of indigency and adjudicate the prisoner indigent.

(4)  When a court adjudicates a prisoner indigent but concludes, from the affidavit of indigency or other information, that the prisoner is able to pay part of the court costs and fees required by law, the court shall order the prisoner to make, prior to service of process, an initial partial payment of those court costs and fees. The initial partial payment must total at least 20 percent of the average monthly balance of the prisoner's trust account for the preceding 6 months or for the length of the prisoner's incarceration, whichever period is shorter.

(5)  When a court adjudicates a prisoner indigent under this section, the court shall order the prisoner to make monthly payments of no less than 20 percent of the balance of the prisoner's trust account as payment of court costs and fees. When a court orders such payment, the Department of Corrections or the local detention facility shall place a lien on the inmate's trust account for the full amount of the court costs and fees, and shall withdraw money maintained in that trust account and forward the money, when the balance exceeds $10, to the appropriate clerk of the court until the prisoner's court costs and fees are paid in full.

(6)  Before an indigent prisoner may intervene in or initiate any judicial proceeding, the court must review the prisoner's claim to determine whether it is legally sufficient to state a cause of action for which the court has jurisdiction and may grant relief. The court shall dismiss all or part of an indigent prisoner's claim which:

(a)  Fails to state a claim for which relief may be granted;

(b)  Seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief;

(c)  Seeks relief for mental or emotional injury where there has been no related allegation of a physical injury; or

(d)  Is frivolous, malicious, or reasonably appears to be intended to harass one or more named defendants.

(7)  A prisoner who has twice in the preceding 3 years been adjudicated indigent under this section, certified indigent under s. 57.081, or authorized to proceed as an indigent under 28 U.S.C. s. 1915 by a federal court may not be adjudicated indigent to pursue a new suit, action, claim, proceeding, or appeal without first obtaining leave of court. In a request for leave of court, the prisoner must provide a complete listing of each suit, action, claim, proceeding, or appeal brought by the prisoner or intervened in by the prisoner in any court or other adjudicatory forum in the preceding 5 years. The prisoner must attach to a request for leave of court a copy of each complaint, petition, or other document purporting to commence a lawsuit and a record of disposition of the proceeding.

(8)  In any judicial proceeding in which a prisoner has been adjudicated indigent and has been granted a full or partial waiver of court costs and fees, the court may at any time dismiss the prisoner's action, in whole or in part, upon a finding that:

(a)  The prisoner's claim of indigency is false or misleading;

(b)  The prisoner provided false or misleading information regarding another judicial or administrative proceeding in which the prisoner was a party;

(c)  The prisoner failed to pay court costs and fees assessed under this section despite having the ability to pay; or

(d)  The prisoner's action or a portion of the action is frivolous or malicious.

(9)  In determining whether an action is frivolous or malicious, the court may consider whether:

(a)  The prisoner's claim has no arguable basis in law or fact;

(b)  The prisoner's claim reasonably appears intended solely to harass a party filed against;

(c)  The prisoner's claim is substantially similar to a previous claim in that it involves the same parties or arises from the same operative facts as a previous claim;

(d)  The prisoner's claim has little likelihood of success on its merits; or

(e)  The allegations of fact in the prisoner's claim are fanciful or not credible.

(10)  This section does not apply to a criminal proceeding or a collateral criminal proceeding.

History.--s. 2, ch. 96-106.

57.091  Costs; refunded to counties in certain proceedings relating to state prisoners.--All lawful fees, costs, and expenses hereafter adjudged against, and paid by, any county in all competency proceedings and all criminal prosecutions against state prisoners imprisoned in a state correctional institution, and in all habeas corpus cases brought to test the legality of the imprisonment of state prisoners of such correctional institutions, shall be refunded to the county paying the sum from the General Revenue Fund in the State Treasury in the manner and to the extent herein provided, to wit: between the 1st and 15th of the month next succeeding the month in which the fees, costs, and expenses have been allowed and paid by the county, the clerk of the court shall make requisition on the Department of Corrections for the fees, costs, and expenses so allowed and paid during the preceding month, giving the style of the cases in which fees, costs, and expenses were incurred and the amount and items of cost in each case; providing a certified copy of the judgment adjudging the fees, costs, and expenses against the county and showing that the amount represented thereby has been approved by the presiding judge, paid by the county, and verified by the clerk; and attaching a certified copy of the bill as approved and allowed by the board of county commissioners of the county. If the Department of Corrections finds the bills legal and adjudged against and paid by the county, the department shall submit a request to the Comptroller to draw a warrant in the amount thereof, or in the amount the department finds legal and adjudged against and paid by the county, in favor of the county paying the fees, costs, and expenses, which shall be paid by the State Treasurer from the general revenue funds of the state.

History.--s. 1, ch. 19272, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 8489(1); s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 3, ch. 76-287; s. 17, ch. 79-164; s. 314, ch. 95-147; s. 23, ch. 95-312.

Note.--Former s. 58.10.

57.101  Costs in Supreme Court; certain not taxable.--The costs of copies of the record of any paper on file in the Supreme Court shall not be taxed as costs against the losing party unless the copies have been ordered by the party or his or her attorney.

History.--s. 5, ch. 1137, 1861; RS 1340; GS 1775; RGS 2999; CGL 4733; s. 13, ch. 67-254; s. 315, ch. 95-147.

Note.--Former s. 58.11.

57.104  Computation of attorneys' fees.--In any action in which attorneys' fees are to be determined or awarded by the court, the court shall consider, among other things, time and labor of any legal assistants who contributed nonclerical, meaningful legal support to the matter involved and who are working under the supervision of an attorney. For purposes of this section "legal assistant" means a person, who under the supervision and direction of a licensed attorney engages in legal research, and case development or planning in relation to modifications or initial proceedings, services, processes, or applications; or who prepares or interprets legal documents or selects, compiles, and uses technical information from references such as digests, encyclopedias, or practice manuals and analyzes and follows procedural problems that involve independent decisions.

History.--s. 1, ch. 87-260.

57.105  Attorney's fee; sanctions for raising unsupported claims or defenses; service of motions; damages for delay of litigation.--

(1)  Upon the court's initiative or motion of any party, the court shall award a reasonable attorney's fee to be paid to the prevailing party in equal amounts by the losing party and the losing party's attorney on any claim or defense at any time during a civil proceeding or action in which the court finds that the losing party or the losing party's attorney knew or should have known that a claim or defense when initially presented to the court or at any time before trial:

(a)  Was not supported by the material facts necessary to establish the claim or defense; or

(b)  Would not be supported by the application of then-existing law to those material facts.


However, the losing party's attorney is not personally responsible if he or she has acted in good faith, based on the representations of his or her client as to the existence of those material facts. If the court awards attorney's fees to a claimant pursuant to this subsection, the court shall also award prejudgment interest.

(2)  Paragraph (1)(b) does not apply if the court determines that the claim or defense was initially presented to the court as a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law or the establishment of new law, as it applied to the material facts, with a reasonable expectation of success.

(3)  At any time in any civil proceeding or action in which the moving party proves by a preponderance of the evidence that any action taken by the opposing party, including, but not limited to, the filing of any pleading or part thereof, the assertion of or response to any discovery demand, the assertion of any claim or defense, or the response to any request by any other party, was taken primarily for the purpose of unreasonable delay, the court shall award damages to the moving party for its reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining the order, which may include attorney's fees, and other loss resulting from the improper delay.

(4)  A motion by a party seeking sanctions under this section must be served but may not be filed with or presented to the court unless, within 21 days after service of the motion, the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, allegation, or denial is not withdrawn or appropriately corrected.

(5)  The provisions of this section are supplemental to other sanctions or remedies available under law or under court rules.

(6)  If a contract contains a provision allowing attorney's fees to a party when he or she is required to take any action to enforce the contract, the court may also allow reasonable attorney's fees to the other party when that party prevails in any action, whether as plaintiff or defendant, with respect to the contract. This subsection applies to any contract entered into on or after October 1, 1988.

History.--s. 1, ch. 78-275; s. 61, ch. 86-160; ss. 1, 2, ch. 88-160; s. 1, ch. 90-300; s. 316, ch. 95-147; s. 4, ch. 99-225; s. 1, ch. 2002-77.

57.111  Civil actions and administrative proceedings initiated by state agencies; attorneys' fees and costs.--

(1)  This section may be cited as the "Florida Equal Access to Justice Act."

(2)  The Legislature finds that certain persons may be deterred from seeking review of, or defending against, unreasonable governmental action because of the expense of civil actions and administrative proceedings. Because of the greater resources of the state, the standard for an award of attorney's fees and costs against the state should be different from the standard for an award against a private litigant. The purpose of this section is to diminish the deterrent effect of seeking review of, or defending against, governmental action by providing in certain situations an award of attorney's fees and costs against the state.

(3)  As used in this section:

(a)  The term "attorney's fees and costs" means the reasonable and necessary attorney's fees and costs incurred for all preparations, motions, hearings, trials, and appeals in a proceeding.

(b)  The term "initiated by a state agency" means that the state agency:

1.  Filed the first pleading in any state or federal court in this state;

2.  Filed a request for an administrative hearing pursuant to chapter 120; or

3.  Was required by law or rule to advise a small business party of a clear point of entry after some recognizable event in the investigatory or other free-form proceeding of the agency.

(c)  A small business party is a "prevailing small business party" when:

1.  A final judgment or order has been entered in favor of the small business party and such judgment or order has not been reversed on appeal or the time for seeking judicial review of the judgment or order has expired;

2.  A settlement has been obtained by the small business party which is favorable to the small business party on the majority of issues which such party raised during the course of the proceeding; or

3.  The state agency has sought a voluntary dismissal of its complaint.

(d)  The term "small business party" means:

1.a.  A sole proprietor of an unincorporated business, including a professional practice, whose principal office is in this state, who is domiciled in this state, and whose business or professional practice has, at the time the action is initiated by a state agency, not more than 25 full-time employees or a net worth of not more than $2 million, including both personal and business investments; or

b.  A partnership or corporation, including a professional practice, which has its principal office in this state and has at the time the action is initiated by a state agency not more than 25 full-time employees or a net worth of not more than $2 million; or

2.  Either small business party as defined in subparagraph 1., without regard to the number of its employees or its net worth, in any action under s. 72.011 or in any administrative proceeding under that section to contest the legality of any assessment of tax imposed for the sale or use of services as provided in chapter 212, or interest thereon, or penalty therefor.

(e)  A proceeding is "substantially justified" if it had a reasonable basis in law and fact at the time it was initiated by a state agency.

(f)  The term "state agency" has the meaning described in s. 120.52(1).

(4)(a)  Unless otherwise provided by law, an award of attorney's fees and costs shall be made to a prevailing small business party in any adjudicatory proceeding or administrative proceeding pursuant to chapter 120 initiated by a state agency, unless the actions of the agency were substantially justified or special circumstances exist which would make the award unjust.

(b)1.  To apply for an award under this section, the attorney for the prevailing small business party must submit an itemized affidavit to the court which first conducted the adversarial proceeding in the underlying action, or to the Division of Administrative Hearings which shall assign an administrative law judge, in the case of a proceeding pursuant to chapter 120, which affidavit shall reveal the nature and extent of the services rendered by the attorney as well as the costs incurred in preparations, motions, hearings, and appeals in the proceeding.

2.  The application for an award of attorney's fees must be made within 60 days after the date that the small business party becomes a prevailing small business party.

(c)  The state agency may oppose the application for the award of attorney's fees and costs by affidavit.

(d)  The court, or the administrative law judge in the case of a proceeding under chapter 120, shall promptly conduct an evidentiary hearing on the application for an award of attorney's fees and shall issue a judgment, or a final order in the case of an administrative law judge. The final order of an administrative law judge is reviewable in accordance with the provisions of s. 120.68. If the court affirms the award of attorney's fees and costs in whole or in part, it may, in its discretion, award additional attorney's fees and costs for the appeal.

1.  No award of attorney's fees and costs shall be made in any case in which the state agency was a nominal party.

2.  No award of attorney's fees and costs for an action initiated by a state agency shall exceed $15,000.

(5)  If the state agency fails to tender payment of the award of attorney's fees and costs within 30 days after the date that the order or judgment becomes final, the prevailing small business party may petition the circuit court where the subject matter of the underlying action arose for enforcement of the award by writ of mandamus, including additional attorney's fees and costs incurred for issuance of the writ.

(6)  This section does not apply to any proceeding involving the establishment of a rate or rule or to any action sounding in tort.

History.--ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ch. 84-78; s. 43, ch. 87-6; s. 7, ch. 87-224; s. 21, ch. 92-315; s. 8, ch. 95-196; s. 6, ch. 96-410; s. 8, ch. 99-353; s. 6, ch. 2000-336.

57.115  Execution on judgments; attorney's fees and costs.--

(1)  The court may award against a judgment debtor reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred thereafter by a judgment creditor in connection with execution on a judgment.

(2)  In determining the amount of costs, including attorney's fees, if any, to be awarded under this section, the court shall consider:

(a)  Whether the judgment debtor had attempted to avoid or evade the payment of the judgment; and

(b)  Other factors as may be appropriate in determining the value of the services provided or the necessity for incurring costs in connection with the execution.

History.--s. 13, ch. 87-145.