Administrative Order, Fourth Judicial Circuit

We have for consideration a petition of the county judges of the Fourth Judicial Circuit for review of an administrative order entered by the chief judge of that circuit on December 3, 1979. The issue is whether this order creates subject matter divisions within the county court.

We note that the Fourth Judicial Circuit has operated with de facto subject matter divisions since the implementation in 1973 of article V of the Florida Constitution rather than establish by local rule such subject matter divisions in accordance with article V, section 20(c)(10), Florida Constitution. Judicial…