The courts of the First Judicial Circuit have taken aim at high residential foreclosure rates which are damaging the economies of the counties and congesting the court dockets.
Pursuant to the direction of Chief Judge Kim A. Skievaski, mandatory mediation will be required, effective April 1, 2009, for all newly filed mortgage foreclosure actions filed by institutional, investment or commercial lenders in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties involving owner-occupied residences. This action will not apply to commercial properties or individual lenders or to rental, vacation or investment properties.
Administrative Order 2009-18 establishes the authority, scope and procedures necessary for plaintiffs seeking to foreclose on owner-occupied residences through the Case Management Order and Mandatory Referral of Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases to Mediation. The full context of Administrative Order 2009-18 is posted at: www.firstjudicialcircuit.org