Florida Rule 1.800 governs exclusions from court-ordered arbitration — the categories of cases that cannot be sent to non-binding arbitration even when the court might otherwise order it.
▶ Watch: Rule 1.800 — Exclusions From Arbitration
Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.800 — Exclusions From Arbitration
Last verified from official source: April 30, 2026 · Source: Florida Bar — Florida Rules of Civil Procedure (eff. April 1, 2026), p. 203
Rule Text (verbatim)
A civil action shall be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon stipulation of the parties. A civil action may be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon motion of any party or by the court, if the judge determines the action to be of such a nature that arbitration could be of benefit to the litigants or the court. Under no circumstances may the following categories of actions be referred to arbitration:
(1) Bond estreatures.
(2) Habeas corpus or other extraordinary writs.
(3) Bond validations.
(4) Civil or criminal contempt.
(5) Such other matters as may be specified by order of the chief judge in the circuit.
Committee Notes
April 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure 203 1994 Amendment. The Supreme Court Committee on Mediation and Arbitration Rules encourages crafting a combination of dispute resolution processes without creating an unreasonable barrier to the traditional court system.
Plain-English Breakdown
Practitioner notes by John M. Phillips, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer — coming soon. Watch the video at the top of this page for the plain-English breakdown.
Rule Text (Verbatim)
The text below is mirrored verbatim from the Florida Bar’s official publication. Public domain.
A civil action shall be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon stipulation of the parties. A civil action may be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon motion of any party or by the court, if the judge determines the action to be of such a nature that arbitration could be of benefit to the litigants or the court. Under no circumstances may the following categories of actions be referred to arbitration: (1) Bond estreatures. (2) Habeas corpus or other extraordinary writs. (3) Bond validations. (4) Civil or criminal contempt. (5) Such other matters as may be specified by order of the chief judge in the circuit.
Committee Notes
View Committee Notes (legislative history)
1994 Amendment. The Supreme Court Committee on Mediation and Arbitration Rules encourages crafting a combination of dispute resolution processes without creating an unreasonable barrier to the traditional court system.
Infographic — Rule 1.800 at a Glance
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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.
Rule Text (verbatim from the Florida Supreme Court)
A civil action shall be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon stipulation of the parties. A civil action may be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon motion of any party or by the court, if the judge determines the action to be of such a nature that arbitration could be of benefit to the litigants or the court. Under no circumstances may the following categories of actions be referred to arbitration: (1) Bond estreatures. (2) Habeas corpus or other extraordinary writs. (3) Bond validations. (4) Civil or criminal contempt. (5) Such other matters as may be specified by order of the chief judge in the circuit.
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 1.800 — Exclusions From Arbitration — sets out the procedural requirements for this aspect of Florida civil practice. A civil action shall be ordered to arbitration or arbitration in conjunction with mediation upon stipulation of the parties.
Committee Notes (verbatim)
1994 Amendment. The Supreme Court Committee on Mediation and Arbitration Rules encourages crafting a combination of dispute resolution processes without creating an unreasonable barrier to the traditional court system.