Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Broward County Document Format Requirements

Format

PDF

All uploaded orders and judgments must be PDF documents.

All documents are to be uploaded as PDF documents.

Format

DOCX

Proposed final judgments submitted after trial must be submitted in Word format to the Court via email with any required parenting plans or child support guidelines.

*PROPOSED FINAL JUDGMENTS SUBMITTED AFTER TRIAL SHALL BE SUBMITTED IN WORD FORMAT TO THE COURT VIA EMAIL ALONG WITH ANY PROPOSED PARENTING PLANS/CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES THAT THE JUDGE REQUIRES TO BE SUBMITTED.

After an oral ruling, the designated party must email the proposed order to the Judge's office in both Word and PDF formats.

IF A HEARING TAKES PLACE AND THE JUDGE RENDERS AN ORAL RULING, SHE WILL DESIGNATE A PARTY TO PREPARE THE ORDER. THE ORDER SHALL BE EMAILED TO THE JUDGE’S OFFICE IN BOTH WORD AND PDF FORMATS.

Physical evidence must be presented as hard copies or on a USB drive at the hearing; displaying it on a device or e-mailing/uploading it does not constitute entry of evidence.

Parties/counsel are required to present physical evidence, such as photographs and/or videos, as hard copies or on a USB drive at the time of the hearing. Showing the contents of a phone, laptop, or tablet, will not constitute the entry of evidence. Please be advised that e-mailing materials to the Judicial Assistant, uploading them to the docket or CMS, or filing them with the Clerk of the Courts is insufficient for purposes of entering evidence.

Format

DOCX

When parties disagree on proposed order language, they must submit a single redlined order in Word document format via e-mail rather than uploading an agreed order or competing orders.

If the parties do not agree to the language of the proposed order, do not upload the proposed order through the CMS portal as an Agreed Order and do not submit competing orders by e-mail. Instead, please submit one redlined order in Word document format via e-mail to the Judicial Assistant.

Pleadings must be printed single-sided (front page only); double-sided pleadings will be returned.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT PLEADINGS PRINTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PAPER. ALL MUST HAVE PRINT ON FRONT PAGE ONLY OR YOU WILL RECEIVE IT BACK

Trial exhibits over 4 pages must be consecutively paginated and copied for both parties and the witness, or they will not be allowed at trial.

Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial.

Exhibits must be brought as hard copies; the Court will not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops and will not consider them otherwise.

The Court does not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops. Hard copies must be brought to the hearing, or the Court will not consider them.

Multi-page exhibits must be stapled or securely bound; paperclips and rubber bands are not acceptable.

Each exhibit that has multiple pages must be stapled or securely bound together. A paperclip or rubber band is not acceptable.

Trial exhibits over 4 pages must be consecutively paginated with sufficient copies for all parties and the witness, and hard copies must be brought to the hearing.

Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial. The Court does not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops. Hard copies must be brought to the hearing, or the Court will not consider them.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be in Word format.

(Please ensure the Proposed Order is in Word Format and includes all parties in the email).

Trial exhibits exceeding four pages must be consecutively paginated and provided in sufficient copies for both parties and the witness, or they will not be allowed at trial.

Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial.

Exhibits must be brought as hard copies; the Court will not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops.

The Court does not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops. Hard copies must be brought to the hearing, or the Court will not consider them

Format

DOCX

All orders (including proposed orders accompanying deposition, substitution of counsel, and continuance motions) must be submitted in Word format.

All Orders must be submitted in Word format.

All documents noticing or ordering hearings or conferences must contain the ADA notice in boldface 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font.

All matters noticed or ordered for a hearing or conference before a judge or quasi-judicial officer or court administration program shall contain, in boldface, 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font, the following:

Format

DOCX

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.

All proposed orders must be submitted in WORD format.

The ADA notice must appear in boldface 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font.

All matters noticed or ordered for a hearing or conference before a judge or quasi-judicial officer or court administration program shall contain, in boldface, 14- point Times New Roman or Courier font, the following:

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders submitted to chambers must be in Word document format.

All proposed orders submitted to chambers should be in word document format.

Trial exhibits longer than four pages must be consecutively paginated with sufficient copies for both parties and the witness, and non-compliant exhibits will not be allowed at trial.

Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial.

Format

PAPER

The Court will not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops, so hard copies must be brought to the hearing or the Court will not consider them.

The Court does not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops. Hard copies must be brought to the hearing, or the Court will not consider them.

Format

DOCX

Competing orders are not accepted; disagreements must be resolved by one redlined Word-format proposed order in a single e-mail, with disputed language redlined by the non-moving party (red-lined orders are not accepted as agreed orders).

Division 37 does not accept competing orders, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. If the parties do not agree to the language of the proposed order, pursuant to the court's oral pronouncement, the parties may submit one redlined proposed order in Word document format in one e-mail to Div37@17th.flcourts.org. Where the parties do not agree on proposed language, that language shall be redlined by the non-moving party.

Trial exhibits over four pages must be consecutively paginated with sufficient copies for all participants or they will not be allowed at trial.

Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial.

Exhibits on cell phones or laptops will not be reviewed; hard copies must be brought to the hearing or the court will not consider them.

The Court does not review exhibits on cell phones or laptops. Hard copies must be brought to the hearing, or the Court will not consider them.

After an oral ruling, the designated party must email the prepared order to the judge's office in both Word and PDF formats.

IF A HEARING TAKES PLACE AND THE JUDGE RENDERS AN ORAL RULING, HE WILL DESIGNATE A PARTY TO PREPARE THE ORDER. THE ORDER SHALL BE EMAILED TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE IN BOTH WORD AND PDF FORMATS.

Trial exhibits over four pages must be consecutively paginated with sufficient copies for all parties and the witness, or they will not be allowed at trial.

Any exhibit either party desires to use at trial exceeding four (4) pages in length must be consecutively paginated (by bates-stamp method or otherwise), with sufficient copies of such consecutively paginated exhibit so that both parties and the witness can refer to the exhibit at the same time during trial. Any exhibit not meeting these two requirements will not be allowed for use at trial.

Motion font size must be at least 12 points.

Font size shall not be less than 12 points.

The signature line of an uploaded order must be on the last page of the submission and must not appear alone on a page.

The signature line must be on the last page of the submission. However, the signature line must not be on a page alone.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders submitted electronically must be in Word format.

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word form.

Physical evidence must be presented at hearings as hard copies or on a USB drive; displaying it on a phone, laptop, or tablet does not constitute entry of evidence.

Parties/counsel are required to present physical evidence, such as photographs and/or videos, with hard copies or on a USB drive at the time of the hearing. Showing the contents of a phone, laptop, or tablet, will not constitute the entry of evidence.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders submitted by email must be in Word format and include all parties.

Please ensure the Proposed Order is in Word.Doc Format and include all parties in the email.

Case law provided to the Court must be highlighted as to the specific portions counsel relies on, and highlighting must not be placed in the motion where cases are cited.

CASE LAW IS TO BE HIGHLIGHTED as to the specific portions the attorney will refer to WITHIN that case and want the Judge to consider. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT IN THE MOTION WHERE THE CASES ARE CITED

Trial exhibits must be pre-marked using letter format (A, B, C...).

Please pre-mark your trial exhibits using letter format (i.e. A, B, C…).

Proposed orders may not contain blanks for the Court to fill in other than the date and the Judge's signature line.

Proposed Orders should NOT contain blanks for the Court to fill in – other than the date and the line for the Judge’s signature.

IDO/IWO/QDRO orders should be submitted by e-mail rather than CMS upload because they can become distorted, and distorted orders will be rejected and must be resubmitted via e-mail.

Income Deduction Orders (IDO)/Income Withholding Orders (IWO)/Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO) should be submitted by e-mail as those orders can become distorted and illegible when uploaded through the CMS portal. If uploaded, please ensure any supporting documentation are attached through the CMS portal under SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (e.g., cover letter, e-mail, other correspondence indicating agreement). If the formatting is distorted, the proposed order will be rejected and will have to be resubmitted via e-mail.

Accompanying memoranda, cases, and other supporting authorities for a special set hearing are limited to a maximum of 8 in any binder.

Please upload a copy of the notice, and a copy the motion - 15 pages max including footnotes and endnotes (along with any accompanying memoranda, cases or other supporting authorities - maximum of 8 in any binder) to CMS, no later than five (5) business days prior to the scheduled hearing date.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders submitted by email must be in Word format.

If the court requests proposed orders from the parties, please submit via email (div56@17th.flcourts.org) in word format.

Exhibit labels must be placed on the back of the last page in the lower right corner, including on the last page of a binder.

Large documents may be placed in a binder. If exhibit is in a binder the label may be placed on the back of the LAST page in the binder on lower right corner. Labels are to be placed on the back of the last page in the lower right corner.

The case number and exhibit number must be written on each label of exhibits agreed to by both parties' attorneys.

Please write the Case number and Exhibit number on each label of the exhibit that has been AGREED TO by both Defendant and Plaintiff’s Attorneys.

Attorneys must write the case number, exhibit number, and/or ID letter on each exhibit label.

Attorneys: Please write in Case number, Exhibit NUMBER and/or ID LETTER (as is necessary) on each exhibit label.

All trial exhibits must be initialed by both counsel pursuant to the Pre-Trial Order.

All Exhibits to be offered at Trial shall be initialed by both counsels, pursuant to the Pre-Trial Order.

Composite exhibits that cannot be stapled must be marked as a composite with sequential labels (e.g., '1 of 6', '2 of 6') on the back of each item.

If the exhibit is a composite (consists of more than one) and cannot be stapled together, they should be marked as a composite and be labeled (EX: Exhibit: A Group of 6 photos: Please write at the back of first photo, “1 of 6”, then the back of second photo,“2 of 6”, the back of the third photo,“3 of 6,” and so forth).

Paper orders sent to chambers must include stamped envelopes addressed to all parties.

If you are sending a paper order to chambers, please make sure to attach stamped envelopes for all parties.

All motions must be filed in writing.

All motions must be filed in writing and courtesy copies provided to the Judge and opposing counsel at least 48 hours prior to the hearing, proper notice sent to opposing counsel and set for a hearing. NOT at CALENDAR CALL.

Format

PDF

Agreed orders should be submitted with supporting documentation to the Court's CMS workbench or by email to divmq@17th.flcourts.org in PDF format.

Submitted with Agreed Motions must contain the language "Agreed Order" in the heading and should be submitted with supporting documentation to the Court's CMS workbench or via email to divmq@17th.flcourts.org in PDF format.

Format

DOCX

Where parties disagree on proposed order language, one redlined order in Word format must be submitted in a single e-mail to the Judicial Assistant.

If the parties do not agree to the language in a proposed order, please submit one redlined order in Word document format in ONE e-mail to the Judicial Assistant.

Submitted case law must have the citations utilized and/or relied upon highlighted.

Any case law the parties intend to rely upon should be submitted to the Court and the opposing party at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing date, with the appropriate citations utilized and/or relied upon highlighted.

Format

DOCX

Proposed orders must be in Word (.doc) format.

(Please ensure the Proposed Order is in Word.Doc Format and include all parties in the email).

Format

PDF

Videos for hearings must be uploaded to Dropbox with a shareable link placed in a PDF that is uploaded to CMS Supporting Documents.

Upload the video to Dropbox Make the link shareable Copy the link to a pdf document Upload the pdf to Supporting Documents for the hearing in CMS.

Submitted agreed orders must have the signature line on the last page and accurate email addresses.

The signature line must be on the last page of the submission. Please verify that all email addresses are accurate.

Format

DOCX

When parties disagree on proposed order language, one red-lined order in Word format must be submitted to the Judicial Assistant instead of competing orders.

If the parties do not agree to the language of the proposed order, do not upload the proposed order through the CMS portal as an Agreed Order and do not submit competing orders by e-mail. Instead, please submit one red-lined order in Word document format to the Judicial Assistant.

Trial exhibits must be pre-marked using letter format (e.g., Petitioner's Exhibit A).

Please pre-mark your trial exhibits using letter format (i.e., Petitioner's Exhibit A for identification XXX).

Exhibits filed on the docket must be filed with a descriptive name.

Exhibits filed on the docket must be filed with a descriptive name (i.e., Petitioner's Exhibit A: Affidavit of Boo Radley).

Format

DOCX

When parties disagree on proposed order language, one red-lined order in Word format must be submitted in a single email to the Judicial Assistant.

If the parties do not agree to the language in a proposed order, please submit one red-lined order in Word document format in ONE e-mail to the Judicial Assistant.

Format

DOCX

When parties disagree on proposed order language, they must submit one red-lined proposed order in Word format in one email, with disputed language red-lined.

If the parties do not agree to the language of the proposed order, pursuant to the court's oral pronouncement, the parties may submit one red-lined proposed order in Word document format in one e-mail to Div41@17th.flcourts.org. Where the parties do not agree on proposed language, that language shall be red-lined.

Electronic evidence must be brought on a flash drive, and the attorney is responsible for knowing how to present it; the Court will not assist.

If you intend to use any electronic evidence, please bring all electronic evidence on a flash drive. It is the attorney's obligation to ensure he/her/they know how to present the electronic equipment; the Court will not assist.

Exhibits must be pre-marked with consecutive letters for identification; the Clerk will number them once admitted.

Please pre-mark exhibits with consecutive letters (i.e. A, B, C…, A2, B2, C2…, A3, B3, C3…) for identification purposes only. The Clerk will mark all exhibits once they are entered into evidence as consecutive numbers (i.e. 1, 2, 3).

Format

DOCX

Competing proposed orders must be sent in one Word document with Track Changes on; petitioner-only language underlined and respondent-only language italicized.

If the parties are sending competing orders, please send both orders in one Word document with Track Changes (red line changes) turned on. If you are unable to utilize Track Changes that language shall be set forth in different types. Language proposed only by the Plaintiff/Petitioner shall be underlined. Language proposed only by the Defendant/Respondent shall be italicized.

Parties may bring evidence on a thumb drive in lieu of paper copies, provided they bring a computer to delete non-admitted items and rename admitted items with exhibit numbers; the thumb drive is given to the in-court Clerk.

For any hearing or trial you are able to bring a thumb drive with all of your evidence rather than having to submit paper copies. In order to participate you will need to bring a computer so that you can delete any evidence from the thumb drive that does not get admitted and you can rename each item that is admitted with the corresponding Exhibit number. The thumb drive will be turned into the in-court Clerk in lieu of paper copies.

Non-agreed exhibits are letter-marked in the ID section; the clerk assigns the next consecutive number when admitted and signs and dates labels once exhibits are agreed to (parties should not sign or date).

If you have any items that are NOT AGREED TO by both sides, they should be marked with a letter rather than a number (EX: A, B, C, and so forth in the “ID” section of label). If the item marked as ID comes into evidence, then the clerk will give it the next consecutive number. The clerk will sign and date each exhibit label once they are AGREED TO (Please do not sign and date).

Format

PDF

Voluminous paper copies for the Court should preferably be provided as searchable PDFs on a USB drive.

If you have voluminous paper copies for the Court, the Court prefers to receive them on searchable PDF's on a USB drive.

The Court prefers (but does not require) a separate thumb drive for trials so it has its own copy of the evidence.

The Court would prefer that you bring a separate thumb drive for trials so that the Court has its own copy of the evidence but it is not mandatory.