Florida Small Claims Pretrial Conference — What to Expect

The summons you received — Florida Form 7.322, "Notice to Appear for Pretrial Conference" — tells you a specific date, time, and location. That Pretrial Conference is the most important date in your small claims case, and understanding what actually happens there is the difference between keeping your options open and losing by default.

The Pretrial Conference Is Not a Trial

This is the most common misconception. The Pretrial Conference is an administrative hearing, not a trial. You don't need witnesses, and the judge typically won't hear detailed evidence or make a final ruling that day.

Under Rule 7.090, the conference follows a standard sequence:

1. Roll call and jurisdiction check. The judge or court staff confirms both parties are present and the case is properly before the court.
2. Issue clarification. The court identifies what's actually in dispute — which facts are contested and which are admitted.
3. Mediation referral. Most cases get sent to mandatory court-annexed mediation right then. A mediator works with both sides to see if a settlement is possible.
4. Trial scheduling. If mediation doesn't resolve the case, the judge enters an order setting a trial date within 60 days, with at least 10 days' advance notice.

The whole pretrial process often takes one to three hours, depending on the court's calendar and whether mediation happens the same day.

Attendance Is Mandatory

Under Rule 7.090, personal appearance at the Pretrial Conference is mandatory. This is true even if you've already filed a written answer, a motion to dismiss, or any other document with the clerk. Filing paperwork does not excuse attendance.

If you don't appear — in person, virtually (where permitted), or through an attorney — the plaintiff is entitled to a default entered by the judge or clerk under Rule 7.170(a), establishing liability. Before entering judgment, the judge must receive evidence establishing damages and enter judgment in accordance with the evidence and law.

Virtual Attendance

Rule 7.090(a) allows appearance through communication technology under Rule 2.530 when authorized by the court. Local procedures differ, so check your summons and the assigned court's current instructions before relying on a virtual appearance.

Check your summons and the assigned court's current instructions to find out whether remote attendance is available and how to request it.

What to Bring

Keep it practical:

• The summons and Statement of Claim you were served with — know the case number, parties, and amount claimed
• A summary of your position — a few clear bullet points about why you dispute the claim (or why you're willing to settle)
• Key documents organized in folders — contracts, receipts, text messages, photos. Three copies: one for you, one for the judge, one for the plaintiff
• A calculator if the dispute involves itemized charges, partial payments, or offset amounts
• Photo ID for courthouse security

Leave witnesses at home for now. The court's own packet materials explicitly state: don't bring witnesses to the pretrial conference. They're for trial.

What Happens After

If mediation succeeds, both parties sign a written settlement stipulation, which may be entered as a court order. If it fails, you walk out with a trial date and time to prepare your full case — gathering witnesses, organizing evidence, and sharpening your arguments.

The pretrial conference is your chance to understand the case against you and map your next steps.

Get the Full Defendant Roadmap

The Florida Small Claims Response Guide walks through the entire pretrial process — from reading your summons to preparing for mediation — with worksheets that help you organize your documents and track every deadline.

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