Trial Judge Will Be Forced to Rule on Motion to Disqualify for Comments Given to the Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A Novartis Pharmaceuticals motion to disqualify a judge for published comments regarding a pending Paroldel products liability case has been remanded to the trial court, according to a March 19 opinion issued by a Florida District Court of Appeal. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. v. Connie Carnoto and Celina Poywing, M.D., et al., No. 4D02-3578 (Fla. Ct. App., 4th Dist.).

The unpublished opinion, written by Judge Gary Farmer, found that the motion was filed in a timely fashion and that Broward County Judicial District Judge Robert L. Andrews should examine the motion for its 'legal sufficiency.'

'We …