WHEREAS, the Florida Supreme Court has issued Administrative Orders urging the need to take charge of cases at an early stage and to control the progress of the cases thereafter, and  

        WHEREAS, invoking the Rules of Civil Procedure will promote uniformity in case management of PIP and Auto Glass/Windshield cases;

        NOW THEREFORE, I, LEAH R. CASE, Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, hereby Order as follows: 

1. When filing PIP or Auto Glass/Windshield cases, plaintiffs must identify whether a case is one for PIP benefits or automobile windshield glass benefits, using the procedure established by the Clerk of Court.

2. With the exception of Rule 1.420(e), the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure are invoked at the time of filing in all referenced cases filed in the counties of the Seventh Judicial Circuit (see Rule 7.020(c), Florida Small Claims Rules).

3. Small Claims Rule 7.110(e) will continue to govern dismissals for lack of prosecution in the referenced cases.

4. Pretrial conferences associated with the referenced cases are waived.

5. Defendants must file responses to the Complaints (statements of claim) within thirty days of being served with summonses.

6. Case Management Conferences may be set by summons or separate order.

TO BE RECORDED in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, and Volusia counties.

DONE AND ORDERED in Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Florida, this 8th day of January 2025.