A Florida appeals court recently ruled on a significant business dispute involving claims of tortious interference. The case, Roberto Servitje-Achutegui v. Gonzalo Fernandez Del Castillo Quintana, was filed on July 29, 2026, and it centers around allegations that one party interfered with another's business relationships. This ruling is crucial as it affects the operations of the involved parties and sets a precedent for similar disputes in the future.
The parties in this case include Mauricio Servitje-Labarrere, Roberto Servitje-Achutegui, and Altex USA Corporation as the appellants, and Gonzalo Fernandez del Castillo Quintana, along with Jasu Juice, LLC, as the appellees. The dispute arose from a jury trial concerning Fernandez's amended counterclaim for tortious interference with a business relationship. The appellants argued that the trial court made errors in its pretrial rulings and in denying their motion for summary judgment.
The case reached the Third District Court of Appeal after the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County ruled in favor of Fernandez. The appellants contended that the trial court should have granted their motion for summary judgment, which would have dismissed Fernandez's claims before the trial began. They argued that a previous order related to an earlier counterclaim was still in effect and should have been considered. However, the court found that the previous order was non-operative due to the amendment of the counterclaim.
The court ruled on several key points during the proceedings. It stated, "the predecessor judge’s order granting Appellants’ motion for summary judgment on Fernandez’s initial counterclaim for tortious interference remained interlocutory as it was never rendered into a final judgment." This meant that the trial court was correct in re-evaluating the issues surrounding the counterclaim after it was amended. The court also noted that Fernandez's declaration provided sufficient evidence to create a factual dispute regarding the alleged tortious interference.
In its ruling, the court affirmed the trial court's decision, stating, "Fernandez’s declaration was sufficient to create an issue of fact as to whether Appellants’ false email caused Southern Gardens to decline to hire Fernandez as an employee." This statement highlights the importance of the evidence presented by Fernandez, which played a critical role in the court's decision. The judges involved in this ruling were LOGUE, LINDSEY, and GORDO.
The impact of this ruling is significant for both parties involved in the dispute. For Gonzalo Fernandez and Jasu Juice, the affirmation of the lower court's decision allows them to pursue their business interests without the threat of interference from the appellants. For Mauricio Servitje-Labarrere, Roberto Servitje-Achutegui, and Altex USA Corporation, the ruling may hinder their business operations and relationships, especially if they are found to have engaged in tortious interference.
This case also sets a precedent for future business disputes involving claims of tortious interference. The court's emphasis on the importance of factual disputes and the role of evidence in such cases may influence how similar cases are handled in the future. Businesses must be cautious in their communications and actions to avoid potential legal repercussions related to interference with competitors.
Looking ahead, it is possible that the appellants may seek to appeal the ruling to a higher court. However, details regarding any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, this case will likely be referenced in future tortious interference disputes.