Educational reference. This page summarizes a Florida Rule of Civil Procedure for educational purposes. The rule text and Committee Notes are mirrored from the Florida Bar's official publication and are public domain. The plain-English summary is the opinion of Phillips, Hunt & Walker and is general information only — not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.
What this rule means in plain English
Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.041 — Limited Appearance Attorneys — sets out the procedural requirements for this aspect of Florida civil practice. (a) Scope of Representation. An attorney may file a notice of limited appearance specifically limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters. (b) Notice of Limited Appearance. (1) A notice of limited appearance must be filed before any attorney’s appearance before the court at any proceeding or hearing.
Rule Text (verbatim from the Florida Supreme Court)
(a) Scope of Representation. An attorney may file a notice of limited appearance specifically limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters. (b) Notice of Limited Appearance. (1) A notice of limited appearance must be filed before any attorney’s appearance before the court at any proceeding or hearing. (2) A notice of limited appearance must specifically identify the particular proceedings and specified matters in which the attorney will represent the party. (c) Filings by a Limited Appearance Attorney. Any pleading or other document filed by a limited appearance attorney must state in bold type on the signature page of that pleading or other document: “Attorney for [Plaintiff(s)] [Defendant(s)] for the limited purpose of [matter(s) or proceeding(s)]”. (d) Service. During the attorney’s limited appearance: (1) All pleadings or other documents, including all notices of hearing, must be served on all parties in the action, including the limited appearance attorney. (2) If the limited appearance attorney receives notice of a hearing that is outside the scope of representation, the attorney must file a notice stating the attorney will not attend the court proceeding or hearing because it is outside the scope of the representation. (e) Termination. A termination of limited appearance must be in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505.
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.041 — Limited Appearance Attorneys
Last verified from official source: April 30, 2026 · Source: Florida Bar — Florida Rules of Civil Procedure (eff. April 1, 2026), p. 16
Rule Text (verbatim)
(a) Scope of Representation. An attorney may file a notice of limited appearance specifically limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters.
(b) Notice of Limited Appearance.
(1) A notice of limited appearance must be filed before any attorney’s appearance before the court at any proceeding or hearing.
(2) A notice of limited appearance must specifically identify the particular proceedings and specified matters in which the attorney will represent the party.
(c) Filings by a Limited Appearance Attorney. Any pleading or other document filed by a limited appearance attorney must state in bold type on the signature page of that pleading or other document: “Attorney for [Plaintiff(s)] [Defendant(s)] for the limited purpose of [matter(s) or proceeding(s)]”.
(d) Service. During the attorney’s limited appearance:
(1) All pleadings or other documents, including all notices of hearing, must be served on all parties in the action, including the limited appearance attorney.
(2) If the limited appearance attorney receives notice of a hearing that is outside the scope of representation, the attorney must file a notice stating the attorney will not attend the court proceeding or hearing because it is outside the scope of the representation.
(e) Termination. A termination of limited appearance must be in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505.
April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 16
Plain-English Breakdown
Practitioner notes by John M. Phillips, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — coming soon. Watch the video below for the plain-English breakdown.
Rule Text (Verbatim)
The text below is mirrored verbatim from the Florida Bar’s official publication. Public domain.
(a) Scope of Representation. An attorney may file a notice of limited appearance specifically limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters. (b) Notice of Limited Appearance. (1) A notice of limited appearance must be filed before any attorney’s appearance before the court at any proceeding or hearing. (2) A notice of limited appearance must specifically identify the particular proceedings and specified matters in which the attorney will represent the party. (c) Filings by a Limited Appearance Attorney. Any pleading or other document filed by a limited appearance attorney must state in bold type on the signature page of that pleading or other document: “Attorney for [Plaintiff(s)] [Defendant(s)] for the limited purpose of [matter(s) or proceeding(s)]”. (d) Service. During the attorney’s limited appearance: (1) All pleadings or other documents, including all notices of hearing, must be served on all parties in the action, including the limited appearance attorney. (2) If the limited appearance attorney receives notice of a hearing that is outside the scope of representation, the attorney must file a notice stating the attorney will not attend the court proceeding or hearing because it is outside the scope of the representation. (e) Termination. A termination of limited appearance must be in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505.
Infographic — Rule 1.041 at a Glance
Committee Notes
View Committee Notes (legislative history)
No Committee Notes for this rule version.
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This page summarizes a Florida Rule of Civil Procedure for educational purposes. The rule text and Committee Notes are mirrored from the Florida Bar’s official publication and are public domain. The plain-English summary is the opinion of Phillips, Hunt & Walker and is general information only — not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.