Terms Used In Florida Statutes 81.021

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • Writ: A formal written command, issued from the court, requiring the performance of a specific act.
If in its judgment a prima facie case is made, the court shall issue an order directed to the body presuming to exercise jurisdiction and to plaintiff to show cause why the writ of prohibition should not issue. The order is a supersedeas and shall be served on the body presuming to exercise jurisdiction and the parties at such time as the court directs and those served shall defend within the time set in the writ. In case of failure to make an answer, it may be enforced by contempt.