Rule 1.276 - Arrangements for attorney's fees and expenses1. 276(1) Before a hearing under rule 1.262(1) or at any other time the court directs, the representative parties and the attorney for the representative parties shall file with the court, jointly or separately, all of the following: a. A statement showing any amount paid or promised them by any person for the services rendered or to be rendered in connection with the action or for the costs and expenses of the litigation and the source of all of the amounts.b. A copy of any written agreement, or a summary of any oral agreement, between the representative parties and their attorney concerning financial arrangements or fees.c. A copy of any written agreement, or a summary of any oral agreement, by the representative parties or the attorney to share these amounts with any person other than a member, regular associate, or an attorney regularly of counsel with that law firm. This statement shall be supplemented promptly if additional arrangements are made.
1. 276(2) Upon a determination that the costs and litigation expenses of the action cannot reasonably and fairly be defrayed by the representative parties or by other available sources, the court by order may authorize and control the solicitation and expenditure of voluntary contributions for this purpose from members of the class, advances by the attorneys or others, or both, subject to reimbursement from any recovery obtained for the class. The court may order any available funds so contributed or advanced to be applied to the payment of any costs taxed in favor of a party opposing the class.Report 1980; October 31,1997, effective January 24, 1998; November 9,2001, effective February 15,2002.