Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
- Email • At Least 7 Days Before Hearing
Case Law Binder
- At Least 7 Business Days Before Hearing
Exhibits
- At Least 7 Business Days Before Hearing
Filings > 10 pages
- Hand Delivery
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Proposed orders should be limited to ten pages unless leave of Court for a longer order is obtained.
- Proposed order
- Up to 10 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Document Format Requirements10 rules
All hearing materials must be sent and received by the judicial assistant no later than 7 business days prior to the hearing in hard copy along with any case law or memorandums of law.
- Hearing materials
Formatting
- •Hard copy
All parties appearing for a remote hearing shall have a camera which is turned on.
The Court requires highlighted copies of all pertinent case law to be provided in hard copy.
All parties shall be familiar with and follow the procedures set forth in The Florida Bar Best Practices Guide for Remote Conferences.
Participants will need a computer with a webcam and microphone (preferred) or a tablet with Internet access to the Zoom application.
All parties should use the link to join the hearing prior to the start time. When linking into the meeting, each person appearing must enter their full name and relationship to the case; i.e. defense counsel, expert, plaintiff’s counsel or defendant when prompted.
Remote hearing participants should maintain courtroom decorum, use a quiet setting with minimal distractions and a neutral background if possible, and dress as they would for court.
Court's wording
Although the hearing is being conducted virtually, proper courtroom decorum should be maintained. Participants should be in a quiet setting and minimize any external distractions. Be aware of what is behind you and choose a solid neutral wall, if possible. Please dress like you are coming to the courthouse.
Proposed orders should not contain argument.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Do not include argument in a proposed order
Due to the number of hearings, please expect delays and remain in the hearing.
Proposed Orders without a hearing may be submitted to the Court in Microsoft Word with a cover letter, which must be copied to all opposing counsel/unrepresented parties.
Document Filing Requirements25 rules
Once a hearing has been confirmed with the Court, the parties are to file the notice of hearing and email a copy of the notice to the judicial assistant.
The hearing request must include a copy of the motion that you are requesting a hearing on and the amount of time requested for the hearing.
All hearing materials must be sent and received by the judicial assistant no later than 7 business days prior to the hearing in hard copy along with any case law or memorandums of law.
The moving party shall file with the motion, a statement certifying that the moving counsel has conferred with opposing counsel and stating whether counsel agree on the resolution of the motion.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
If counsel seek a trial date outside of the Fla. Jud. Time Standards, an explanation as to why it needs to be set beyond the time standards and a detailed discovery plan must be provided.
The proposed Order service list must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel/unrepresented party.
copies for an original to be entered by the Court and a copy for each party not using e-Portal.
If counsel does not have an email address for an unrepresented party, counsel must mail, or hand deliver the proposed Order and letter to the Court consistent with the instructions above.
If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately mail or hand deliver to the Court an addressed, stamped envelope.
The cover letter must confirm that the opposing party received the same materials as the Court and state whether that party consents to the requested relief and agrees with the proposed order’s language.
Court's wording
The letter must state that opposing counsel/unrepresented party has been provided with the same materials being provided to the Court and whether (i) opposing counsel or the unrepresented party consents to the relief requested in the order and, if so, (ii) whether opposing counsel or the unrepresented party agrees with the language of the proposed Order.
Further, the party presenting the proposed Order, shall be responsible for providing addressed, stamped envelopes for parties not using the e-Portal;
The service list on the Order must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.
A proposed order submitted after a hearing must include a cover letter identifying the order and hearing and stating that opposing parties received the same materials and whether they agree with the order’s language.
Court's wording
All proposed Orders presented following a hearing, whether submitted to the Court in writing or via e-mail as contemplated above, MUST INCLUDE A COVER LETTER INDICATING: a. What the Order is for (i.e., the case, the motion heard, including date and time, the title of the Order, etc.); and b. That all opposing counsel/unrepresented parties have been provided with the same materials being provided to the Court, and whether the parties agree with the language of the proposed Order.
If counsel does not have an email address for an unrepresented party, counsel must mail or hand-deliver the proposed Order, cover letter and all attachments to the Court consistent with the instructions above.
Any emergency motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name and EMERGENCY in the reference line.
All consent Orders shall include the word “Consent” or “Agreed” in the caption of the proposed Order.
- Document
- Proposed order
- Placement
- Caption
If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately mail or hand deliver to the Court an addressed, stamped envelope for that party.
The case management conference order requires specific information needed by the Court to schedule the trial. Please ensure that all required information is included.
If, for any reason, the moving party is unable to confer with counsel for the non-moving party, the motion should describe at least 3 attempts to confer by the moving party.
Hearings will only be set on motions already filed with the Clerk which contain the required certification of good faith conference.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Procedure Requests: Requests involving case procedures, such as rescheduling, telephonic appearances, or remote video participation, must be made by written motion to the presiding judge, not via the ADA request form.
If any requested relief is agreed, the motion caption must identify it as unopposed, agreed, stipulated, or otherwise state that no opposition exists to that relief.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- Caption
Court's wording
If the interested parties agree to all or part of the relief sought in any motion, the caption of the motion shall include the word “unopposed,” “agreed,” or “stipulated” or otherwise succinctly inform the reader that, as to all or part of the requested relief, no opposition exists.
A motion to set trial seeking an agreed trial date must state the agreed date and term of trial.
Court's wording
The parties may obtain a trial date without the requirement to appear for a hearing by filing a motion to set trial setting forth the agreed trial date and term of the trial and providing it by email to polkl@circuit8.org.
If the parties jointly agree to submit a motion to the Court without the need for a hearing, the moving party should forward to the Court the motion and a proposed agreed order.
Submit ADA accommodation requests using the request form to the local ADA coordinator, preferably seven days in advance.
Court's wording
Requests should be submitted using the ADA Request Form preferably seven days in advance. Request Process: Complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the local ADA coordinator as far in advance as possible.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
If an unrepresented party in the case is not using e-Portal, the proposed order must be submitted in writing and emailed in Word format.
If there is an unrepresented party involved in the case not using e-Portal, the proposed Order must be submitted to the Court in writing and emailed in word format
Page 4 | Proposed Orders Following a Hearing
Motions for rehearing and motions for new trial should first be e-filed with the Clerk of Court.
These motions should first be e-filed with the Clerk of Court.
Page 7 | Other Division Procedures: Motions for Rehearing and Motions for New Trial
When all parties use e-Portal, a proposed order may be emailed to the Court in Microsoft Word format.
If all parties before the Court are using e-Portal, the proposed Order may be emailed to the Court in Microsoft Word format;
Page 5 | Proposed Orders Following a Hearing
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Hearing materials must reach the judicial assistant in hard copy at least 7 business days before the hearing.
All hearing materials must be sent and received by the judicial assistant no later than 7 business days prior to the hearing in hard copy along with any case law or memorandums of law.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
File the case management statement no later than 15 working days before the case management conference.
The case management statement must be filed no later than 15 working days prior to the case management conference.
Page 7 | Pretrial Procedures and Case Management Conferences
Case law emailed to the Court less than 7 days before a hearing will not be considered.
Case law emailed to the Court less than 7 days prior to the hearing will not be considered.
Page 7
If no submission time is set, the proposed order should be submitted within seven days after the hearing.
If a time is not set for submission of the proposed order, the order should be submitted within seven (7) days of the hearing.
Page 4 | Proposed Orders Following a Hearing
Hearing times that are not timely noticed will be removed from the Court’s calendar.
Hearing times not timely noticed will be removed from the Court’s calendar.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The cover letter accompanying a proposed order without a hearing must be copied to all opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.
Proposed Orders without a hearing may be submitted to the Court in Microsoft Word with a cover letter, which must be copied to all opposing counsel/unrepresented parties.
Page 5 | Proposed Order Without a Hearing
All counsel and unrepresented parties must receive the cover letter and proposed order when they are provided to the Court.
All counsel and unrepresented parties must be copied on the cover letter, including any proposed Order, at the same time provided to the Court.
Page 5 | Proposed Orders Following a Hearing
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the motion, joint stipulation, or other material related to a proposed order must be provided.
A Courtesy copy of the motion, joint stipulation, etc. related to the proposed Order must be provided.
Page 5 | Proposed Order Without a Hearing
Case law emailed to the Court fewer than seven days before the hearing will not be considered.
Case law emailed to the Court less than 7 days prior to the hearing will not be considered.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Binders containing case law must be received by the Court at least seven business days before the hearing.
Any binders containing case law shall be received by the Court at least 7 business days prior to the hearing.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Copies of motions and memoranda must be delivered to the Court at least seven business days before the scheduled hearing.
Copies of motions and memoranda must be delivered to the Court at least seven business days before a scheduled hearing on the matter.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
All exhibits must be delivered to the Court at least seven business days before the scheduled hearing.
All Exhibits must be delivered to the Court at least seven business days before a scheduled hearing on the matter.
Page 6 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Pleadings exceeding 10 pages, including attachments, must be provided by hand delivery, U.S. Mail, or another delivery service rather than email.
However, voluminous pleadings (more than 10 pages, including attachments) must be provided via hand-delivery, U.S. Mail, or other delivery service.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Binders containing case law must be received by the Court at least seven business days before the hearing.
Any binders containing case law shall be received by the Court at least 7 business days prior to the hearing.
Page 6 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Provide highlighted hard copies of pertinent case law, except case law addressing standards of review for run-of-the-mill motions.
The Court requires highlighted copies of all pertinent case law to be provided in hard copy. It is not necessary to provide copies of case law to the standards of review for run of the mill motions such as motion for summary judgment, motion to dismiss, and discovery motions.
Page 7
The party filing the motion shall provide the Court with a copy for review by U.S. Mail, hand delivery or email at the time the motion is filed.
The party filing the motion shall provide the Court with a copy for review by U.S. Mail, hand delivery or email at the time the motion is filed.
Page 7 | Other Division Procedures: Motions for Rehearing and Motions for New Trial
Motions, pleadings, memoranda, and case law may be provided to the Court by email, U.S. Mail, or hand delivery.
Motions, pleadings, memoranda, and case law may be provided by e-mail as well as U.S. Mail or hand delivery.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Motions, pleadings, memoranda, exhibits and case law may be provided by e-mail as well as U.S. Mail or hand delivery.
Motions, pleadings, memoranda, exhibits and case law may be provided by e-mail as well as U.S. Mail or hand delivery.
Page 6 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Any motion over 20 pages should not be emailed but delivered by U.S. Mail or hand delivery.
Any motion over 20 pages should not be emailed but delivered by U.S. Mail or hand delivery.
Page 7 | Other Division Procedures: Motions for Rehearing and Motions for New Trial
Copies of case law addressing standards of review need not be provided for routine summary-judgment, dismissal, or discovery motions.
It is not necessary to provide copies of case law to the standards of review for run of the mill motions such as motion for summary judgment, motion to dismiss, and discovery motions.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The Court encourages parties to work together to submit one copy of supporting materials.
The Court encourages all parties to work together where possible to submit one copy of the supporting materials necessary for the Court’s consideration.
Page 7
Filing Bundling Requirements
The Court encourages parties, where possible, to work together to submit one copy of the supporting materials.
The Court encourages all parties to work together where possible to submit one copy of the supporting materials necessary for the Court’s consideration.
Page 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing a motion, the moving party must make a good-faith effort to confer with opposing counsel; stating that counsel was unavailable does not satisfy that duty.
before filing a motion, the moving party shall confer with counsel for the opposing party in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised by the motion. A certification to the effect that opposing counsel was unavailable for a conference before filing a motion is insufficient to satisfy the parties’ obligation to confer.
Page 3 | Motion Practice and Scheduling Hearings
After filing, the moving party must promptly contact opposing counsel and supplement the motion with the outcome of further conferral; non-moving counsel must promptly respond to a meet-and-confer request and provide availability.
The moving party retains the duty to contact opposing counsel expeditiously after filing and to supplement the motion promptly with a statement certifying whether or to what extent the parties have resolved the issue(s) presented in the motion. Counsel for the non-moving party is obligated to promptly reply to a ‘meet-and-confer’ request and to provide availability for such conference.
Page 3 | Motion Practice and Scheduling Hearings
Before filing a motion to compel discovery, the moving party must confer in good faith with the non-moving party to try to resolve the dispute.
As with all motions filed in this Division (as set forth above), prior to filing a motion to compel discovery, the moving party shall confer in good faith with the non-moving party in an attempt to resolve the discovery dispute.
Page 7 | Discovery Disputes
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The court will not consider a motion to continue without client consent and a good-faith-effort statement.
The court will not consider any motion to continue without a client consent and good faith effort statement.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
The Court reviews motions to continue for good cause and rules on them without a hearing.
The Court will review Motions to Continue to determine good cause and rule upon the motion without a hearing.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
If a motion to continue is represented as unopposed, the consents of all parties must be filed.
If a party represents that a motion to continue is unopposed, then all parties’ consents to the continuance must be filed.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Delays in pursuing discovery, taking depositions, procuring experts, or conducting mediation do not establish good cause, and a motion to continue alleging those reasons will be denied without a hearing.
The failure to timely pursue discovery, take depositions, procure experts, and conduct mediation do not constitute good cause and any motion to continue alleging same will be denied without hearing.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
A motion to continue must include the client’s consent.
The motion to continue must be accompanied by the Client’s consent.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, including its restrictions on ex parte and other communications outside the parties’ presence.
All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the listed address, with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to polkl@circuit8.org. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024-CA-000005 – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.).
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties must email the judicial assistant at the listed address to request a hearing.
The parties are to contact the judicial assistant by email at polkl@circuit8.org to request a hearing on any matter.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
Counsel must immediately notify the court if the parties resolve a motion, or any part of it, before the hearing.
If the parties resolve a motion prior to the hearing, or any portion of the motion, Counsel shall immediately advise the Court of the resolution.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
After the court confirms a hearing, parties must email a copy of the filed notice of hearing to the judicial assistant.
Once a hearing has been confirmed with the Court, the parties are to file the notice of hearing and email a copy of the notice to the judicial assistant.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
Email to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is legally authorized ex parte.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email changes.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
If a case settles after being set for trial, the parties must immediately notify the Court so the trial and pending hearings can be removed from the calendar.
IF THE CASE SETTLES AFTER IT IS SET FOR TRIAL, THE PARTIES SHALL IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE COURT SO THAT THE TRIAL AND ALL PENDING HEARINGS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE COURT’S CALENDAR.
Page 3 | Setting Matters for Trial (Jury and Non-Jury)
An emergency motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name, and “EMERGENCY” in the reference line.
Any emergency motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name and EMERGENCY in the reference line.
Page 6 | Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
A party requesting a hearing should contact the Judicial Assistant with the other parties on the line or by email at polkl@circuit8.org.
The party requesting a hearing on any pending motion should contact the Judicial Assistant with all other parties on the line or by email at polkl@circuit8.org.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
After a hearing time is set, no party may add or notice additional matters for that time without the express consent of all parties and the Court.
Once a hearing time is set, no party may add or notice additional matters for that time without the express consent of all parties and the Court.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Limit emails to the Judicial Assistant to hearing dates, times, and the amount of time needed.
Emails to the judicial assistant should be limited to dates, times and amount of time needed for the hearing.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Coordinate all hearings with opposing counsel.
All hearings must be coordinated with opposing counsel.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Do not include the Judicial Assistant in discussions about substantive matters or disputes over whether a motion is appropriate.
The parties shall not include the judicial assistant in any discussions about any substantive matter or disputes about whether a motion is appropriate.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
A hearing date and time are not secured until the Court sends confirmation.
Hearing dates/times are not secured until confirmation is sent from the Court.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties may contact the judicial office only under these procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The parties may obtain a trial date without a hearing by filing a motion that states the agreed trial date and trial term and emailing it to the Court.
The parties may obtain a trial date without the requirement to appear for a hearing by filing a motion to set trial setting forth the agreed trial date and term of the trial and providing it by email to polkl@circuit8.org.
Page 3 | Setting Matters for Trial (Jury and Non-Jury)
A participant experiencing technical issues should email the Court’s judicial assistant.
If a participant is having technical issues, please email the Court’s judicial assistant to advise of the issues.
Page 4 | Remote Hearing Procedures
Hearing dates provided by the Judicial Assistant are not held and may be given to other cases.
Dates provided for hearings are not held and may be given to other cases.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Unprofessional communications to the Judicial Assistant will be referred to the local bench bar committee.
Unprofessional communications to the judicial assistant will result in a referral to the local bench bar committee.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Do not call the Court expecting to speak with a judge about a case.
Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
Page 1 | Judge David P. Kreider
The Court considers arguments made in court and documents filed by actual parties, not other opinions or arguments about the case.
Please keep in mind that the Court is only allowed to consider arguments made in court and documents filed by actual parties to the case. They cannot ethically read or consider any other opinions or arguments about the case, and they cannot give legal advice.
Page 1 | Judge David P. Kreider
Mail any comments to the Clerk’s Office in the appropriate county.
If you have a comment to make, please mail it to the Clerk’s Office in the appropriate county.
Page 1 | Judge David P. Kreider
Contact the Court’s Information Technology department by phone to coordinate technological issues before a trial or hearing.
Please contact the Court’s Information Technology department at (352) 374-3655 to coordinate any technological issues in advance of the trial or hearing.
Page 9 | Trial Technology