Rules Regulating The Florida Bar — Rules of Discipline – 2026

How a Florida lawyer is disciplined, 40 rules in seven subchapters. The Preamble states the premise in one line: a license to practice law confers no vested right but is a conditional privilege revocable for cause. Subchapter 3-3 sets the jurisdiction to enforce the rules — the Supreme Court of Florida, the disciplinary agencies, the Board of Governors, bar counsel, the grievance committees and the circuit courts. Subchapter 3-4 is the standards of conduct, 3-5 the types of discipline, and 3-6 the employment of certain lawyers or former lawyers. Subchapter 3-7 is the procedure and the bulk of the chapter: the processing of complaints and grievance committee action, the referee's trial and report, review by the Supreme Court, emergency and felony suspension, incapacity not involving misconduct, reinstatement and readmission, disciplinary revocation of admission, and the duties of a lawyer who is suspended or disbarred.

Last updated September 10, 2026

Browse all 40 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

3-1. Preamble

Rule 3-1.1 Privilege to Practice Rule 3-1.2 Generally

3-2. Definitions

Rule 3-2.1 Generally

3-3. Jurisdiction to Enforce Rules

Rule 3-3.1 Supreme Court of Florida; Disciplinary Agencies Rule 3-3.2 Board of Governors of the Florida Bar Rule 3-3.3 Counsel for the Florida Bar Rule 3-3.4 Grievance Committees Rule 3-3.5 Circuit Court Jurisdiction

3-4. Standards of Conduct

Rule 3-4.1 Notice and Knowledge of Rules; Jurisdiction Over Lawyers of Other States and Foreign Countries Rule 3-4.2 Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 3-4.3 Misconduct and Minor Misconduct Rule 3-4.4 Criminal Misconduct Rule 3-4.5 Removal from Judicial Office by the Supreme Court of Florida Rule 3-4.6 Discipline by Foreign or Federal Jurisdiction; Choice of Law Rule 3-4.7 Oath Rule 3-4.8 Consent Agreements

3-5. Types of Discipline

Rule 3-5.1 Generally Rule 3-5.2 Emergency Suspension and Interim Probation Rule 3-5.3 Interim Suspension Rule 3-5.4 Diversion of Disciplinary Cases to Practice and Professionalism Enhancement Programs Rule 3-5.5 Publication of Discipline

3-6. Employment of Certain Lawyers or Former Lawyers

Rule 3-6.1 Generally

3-7. Procedures

Rule 3-7.1 Confidentiality Rule 3-7.2 Procedures on Criminal or Professional Misconduct; Discipline on Determination or Judgment of Guilt of Criminal Misconduct; Discipline on Removal from Judicial Office Rule 3-7.3 Review of Inquiries, Complaint Processing, and Initial Investigatory Procedures Rule 3-7.4 Grievance Committee Procedures Rule 3-7.5 Procedures Before the Board of Governors Rule 3-7.6 Procedures Before a Referee Rule 3-7.7 Procedures Before Supreme Court of Florida Rule 3-7.8 Procedures Before a Circuit Court Rule 3-7.9 Consent Judgment Rule 3-7.10 Reinstatement and Readmission Procedures Rule 3-7.11 General Rule of Procedure Rule 3-7.12 Disciplinary Revocation of Admission to the Florida Bar Rule 3-7.13 Incapacity Rule 3-7.14 Florida Statutes Superseded Rule 3-7.15 Procedures on Frozen Trust Accounts Rule 3-7.16 Limitation on Time to Open Investigation Rule 3-7.17 Vexatious Conduct and Limitation on Filings Rule 3-7.18 Disposition of Inquiries or Complaints Referred to the Bar by Members of the Judiciary