Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law Binder
- At Least 7 Business Days Before Hearing
Exhibit
- At Least 7 Business Days Before Hearing
Filings > 10 pages
Filings > 20 pages
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 Requirements16 rules
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.).
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.
- File type
- Paper
- Hearing materials
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.
All parties appearing for a remote hearing shall have a camera which is turned on.
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, with sufficient copies for an original to be entered by the Court and a copy for each party not using e-Portal.
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.
- Case law
Formatting
- •Pertinent case law copies must be highlighted and 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.
All parties should use the link to join the hearing prior to the start time.
Please review and comply with the Zoom procedures which may be found at: https://circuit8.org/zoom-guidelines/
Formatting
- •Participants must review and comply with the Zoom procedures at https://circuit8.org/zoom-guidelines/.
Participants will need a computer with a webcam and microphone (preferred) or a tablet with Internet access to the Zoom application.
Due to the number of hearings, please expect delays and remain in the hearing.
Remote participants should maintain courtroom decorum, minimize distractions, use a neutral background if possible, and dress as they would for court.
Formatting
- •Maintain proper courtroom decorum during the virtual hearing
- •Dress as if appearing at the courthouse
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.
Formatting
- •Proposed orders should not contain argument
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.
If all parties before the Court are using e-Portal, the proposed Order may be emailed to the Court in Microsoft Word format;
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •The proposed Order must be in Microsoft Word format
Once the Amended Motion is filed you may submit a proposed order via E-mail in Word format.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Word format
Document Filing Requirements38 rules
The hearing request must include a copy of the motion that you are requesting a hearing on.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- Caption
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 cover letter must confirm that opposing counsel or the unrepresented party received the same materials and state whether they consent to the relief and agree with the 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.
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 proposed Order service list must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel/unrepresented party.
Every proposed Order following a hearing must include a cover letter identifying the matter and hearing and stating whether the opposing parties received the same materials and 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.
The service list on the Order must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.
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
Must include
- •“Consent” or “Agreed”
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 parties must confer to determine if they can agree to a trial date, the length of the trial and advise the Court of same at least 5 days prior to the case management conference.
The case management conference order requires specific information needed by the Court to schedule the trial. Please ensure that all required information is included.
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
If a party represents that a motion to continue is unopposed, then all parties’ consents to the continuance must be filed.
The motion to continue must be accompanied by the Client’s consent.
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.
Email addresses must be on the bottom of the order if copies are requested.
Please submit an Amended Motion that complies with the divisional procedures listed on the Judge’s divisional procedure page on our website.
The motion must include certification by a qualifying association or proof of certification in another circuit, such as a process server ID attached to the motion.
Court's wording
must contain a certification that the individuals have been certified by the Florida Association of Professional Process Servers, some similar association, or provide proof that the individuals are certified in another circuit (i.e. a copy of their process server ID attached to the motion).
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 hallt@circuit8.org.
Further, the party presenting the proposed Order, shall be responsible for providing addressed, stamped envelopes for parties not using the e-Portal;
Please ensure that you confirm your client’s availability for trial suggestion prior to the submission of a case management statement and/or appearance at the case management conference.
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.
Complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the local ADA coordinator as far in advance as possible.
All motions to appoint special process servers should not name a company as the process server
should not contain more than two persons
If not, please use someone on the list provided.
Motions and proposed orders should be separate documents
the orders should contain a complete title.
Judge Keim can sign an order denying without prejudice and allow counsel to file an amended motion with legal authority for the judge to sign their order.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
These motions 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
After filing the amended motion, you may submit the proposed order by email in Word format.
Once the Amended Motion is filed you may submit a proposed order via E-mail in Word format.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Subject: Orders Appointing Special Process Servers
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Hearing materials must reach the judicial assistant in hard copy no later than seven business days before the hearing and include any case law or memoranda of law.
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
Case law emailed to the Court fewer than seven 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 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The case management statement must be filed at least 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
If the Court sets no submission time, a 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
Submit ADA accommodation requests using the ADA Request Form, preferably seven days in advance.
Requests should be submitted using the ADA Request Form preferably seven days in advance.
Page 9 | ADA Accommodations and Interpreter Requests
The Clerk of Court often does not docket pleadings until 3–8 days after filing.
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE CLERK OF COURT OFTEN DOES NOT DOCKET PLEADINGS UNTIL 3-8 DAYS AFTER THEY ARE FILED.
Page 1 | Judge Donna M. Keim
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Copy all counsel and unrepresented parties on the cover letter and proposed Order when those materials 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
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
The Court will not enter an order appointing a special process server outside its jurisdiction.
Orders will not be entered appointing special process servers outside the jurisdiction of the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Subject: Orders Appointing Special Process Servers
The judges lack jurisdiction over process servers outside Florida.
Outside of the state of Florida the Judges don't have jurisdiction over process servers.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Process for out of state
The Sheriff normally serves process out of state.
Normally the Sheriff will serve out of state.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Process for out of state
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Provide a courtesy copy of the motion, joint stipulation, or other related material with a proposed Order without a hearing.
A Courtesy copy of the motion, joint stipulation, etc. related to the proposed Order must be provided.
Page 5 | Proposed Order Without a Hearing
When a party is unrepresented and does not use e-Portal, submit the proposed Order in writing with an original and a copy for each such party.
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, with sufficient copies for an original to be entered by the Court and a copy for each party not using e-Portal.
Page 5 | Proposed Orders Following a Hearing
Deliver copies of motions and memoranda 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
The Court must receive binders containing case law 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
Deliver all exhibits 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, counting attachments, must be provided by hand delivery, U.S. Mail, or another delivery service.
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
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
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
Motions, pleadings, memoranda, and case law may be provided 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
Filing Bundling Requirements
The Court encourages parties to coordinate, where possible, 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 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing a motion, the moving party must confer in good faith with opposing counsel to try to resolve the issues.
Administrative Order 3.09, appendix A Standing Case Management Order effective 4/30/21 requires that 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.
Page 3 | Motion Practice and Scheduling Hearings
Attorneys and parties must confer before the hearing about stipulations to the admissibility of evidence.
Attorneys and parties shall confer prior to the hearing to determine whether there are any stipulations as to the admissibility of evidence.
Page 4 | Remote Hearing Procedures
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 8 | Discovery Disputes
After filing a motion, the moving party must contact opposing counsel expeditiously.
The moving party retains the duty to contact opposing counsel expeditiously after filing
Page 3 | Motion Practice and Scheduling Hearings
A statement that opposing counsel was unavailable does not satisfy the obligation to confer before filing.
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
Non-moving counsel must promptly respond to a meet-and-confer request and provide availability for the conference.
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
A hearing is not required for every motion, and the Court may rule without a hearing or prior notice to counsel.
All motions do not require a hearing, and the Court may rule on motions without a hearing and without prior notice to counsel.
Page 3 | Motion Practice and Scheduling Hearings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The court will not consider a motion to continue unless it is accompanied by 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
Motions to continue are decided on whether good cause exists, without a hearing; specified failures to pursue litigation tasks do not establish good cause and will result in denial without a hearing.
The Court will review Motions to Continue to determine good cause and rule upon the motion 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
Requests to reschedule or seek other case-procedure arrangements must be made by written motion to the presiding judge, not through the ADA request form.
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.
Page 10 | ADA Accommodations and Interpreter Requests
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the listed address.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to hallt@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
If the parties resolve all or part of a motion before the hearing, counsel must immediately notify the court.
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, the parties must email a copy of the 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
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 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
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the law authorizes ex parte communication.
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
Parties must request hearings by emailing the judicial assistant at the listed address.
The parties are to contact the judicial assistant by email at hallt@circuit8.org to request a hearing on any matter.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
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)
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, with sufficient copies for an original to be entered by the Court and a copy for each party not using e-Portal.
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, with sufficient copies for an original to be entered by the Court and a copy for each party not using e-Portal.
Page 5 | Proposed Orders Following a Hearing
Email every emergency motion to the Judicial Assistant and put 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
Counsel must promptly respond to the moving party’s request with proposed dates received from the Judicial Assistant.
All counsel shall promptly respond to the moving party’s request with proposed dates received from the Judicial Assistant to facilitate this process.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Do not include the Judicial Assistant in substantive discussions or disputes about a motion’s appropriateness; emails to the assistant should address only hearing dates, times, and duration.
The parties shall not include the judicial assistant in any discussions about any substantive matter or disputes about whether a motion is appropriate. Emails to the judicial assistant should be limited to dates, times and amount of time needed for the hearing.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
All hearings must be coordinated with opposing counsel.
All hearings must be coordinated with opposing counsel.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
A party requesting a hearing should contact the Judicial Assistant with all other parties on the line or by email at hallt@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 hallt@circuit8.org.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
After a hearing time is set, no party may add or notice another matter 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
The judicial assistant cannot provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
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
Participants with 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 3 | Remote Hearing Procedures
For a trial date obtained without a hearing, the motion must be emailed to hallt@circuit8.org.
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 hallt@circuit8.org.
Page 3 | Setting Matters for Trial (Jury and Non-Jury)
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
Hearing times that are not noticed timely 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
Dates provided for hearings are not held and may be offered to other cases.
Dates provided for hearings are not held and may be given to other cases.
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
Unprofessional communications to the judicial assistant will result in a referral to the local bench bar committee.
Unprofessional communications to the judicial assistant will result in a referral to the local bench bar committee.
Page 9 | Communications with the Judicial Office
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
Judges of the Eighth Judicial Circuit may not discuss pending cases with the public.
The Code of Judicial Conduct governing behavior by judges forbids the judges of the Eighth Judicial Circuit to discuss pending cases with the public.
Page 1 | Judge Donna M. Keim
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 Donna M. Keim
Include copies of relevant pleadings when emailing the Court to request a hearing or entry of an order.
PLEASE INCLUDE A COPY OF ANY RELEVANT PLEADINGS WHEN YOU EMAIL THE COURT TO REQUEST A HEARING OR ENTRY OF AN ORDER.
Page 1 | Judge Donna M. Keim
If all parties use e-Portal, the 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
Mail 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 Donna M. Keim