Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
Case Law Binder
- At Least 7 Business Days Before Hearing
Court Documents
Emergency Motions, Time Sensitive Motions
- 1 copy • Email
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Phone
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Hearing materials must be submitted in hard copy.
- File type
- Paper
- Hearing materials
Court's wording
3. Submission Deadlines: 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.
In addition, a PAPER COPY of all pre-marked evidence, from each side, shall be received by the Court no later than the deadline contained in your specific order.
- File type
- Paper
Hearing materials must be submitted as paper copies, which may be sent by delivery service or hand-delivered to the courthouse.
- File type
- Paper
- Hearing documents
Court's wording
Any documentation (i.e. evidence, case law, memorandum, etc.) that you would like the Court to consider for your hearing must be received in paper copy by 4:00pm at least 5 business days prior to the hearing. Any late submissions may delay a ruling in your case or may not be considered. Paper copies may be sent via delivery service (Fed Ex, UPS, US Mail, etc.) or may be hand delivered to the courthouse.
Do not send proposed orders by United States Mail or email unless the proposed order is in PDF format.
Evidence and documents presented at a hearing must be pre-marked for identification.
Court's wording
If you intend to present any evidence or documents to the court at your hearing, you must pre-mark all items for identification (ex. Plaintiff’s A,B, C, etc.) and serve a copy to all parties using the e-portal no less than three (3) business days prior to the hearing (or by the date listed in your specific order).
The driver’s license number (except the last 4 digits) may be redacted. The month and day of birth (but not the year) may also be redacted.
Document Filing Requirements20 rules
The judicial assistant will confirm the request as appropriate and require the moving party to prepare the notice of hearing to include the type of hearing scheduled.
Once a hearing has been confirmed with the Court, the parties are to file the notice of hearing
The hearing request must include a copy of the motion that you are requesting a hearing on.
Hearing materials must be sent along with any case law or memorandums of law.
Court's wording
3. Submission Deadlines: 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 the parties agree to all or part of the requested relief, the motion caption must indicate that the relief is unopposed, agreed, or stipulated.
- 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.
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.
Proposed orders must include the specified coding and certificate-of-service block after the body.
Court's wording
All proposed orders shall include the following coding after the body of the proposed order. This coding allows our computer system to input the proper dates and signatures for processing. DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers at Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida on DDDD. JJJJ CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that copies have been furnished by U.S. Mail or via filing with the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal on MMMM. CCCC AAAA
Should an additional party or address be required for service of the order that is not contained in the court file, please type the name of the party who is to receive the order, as well as that party’s e-mail/e-service address OR mailing address at the end of the AAAA block in the Certificate of Service.
- Document
- Proposed order
- Placement
- Certificate section
For parties who have not consented to email service, provide the Judicial Assistant with clipped-together stamped, blank envelopes and a sticky note showing the case name and number.
Court's wording
If there are parties who have not consented to use of e-mail service, stamped envelopes should be mailed or hand delivered to the Judicial Assistant, Charisma Calloway. Please clip the envelopes together, along with a sticky note that indicates the case name and case number. PLEASE DO NOT ADDRESS THE ENVELOPES; LEAVE THE ENVELOPES BLANK BUT BE SURE TO ADD THE PROPER POSTAGE.
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.
Each party must provide the Court with a list of everyone expected to participate in the Zoom hearing.
Court's wording
Each party will need to provide the court with a list of all parties, witnesses, etc. who the party expects to participate in the Zoom hearing, no less than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
For in person evidentiary hearings, the moving party will be asked to prepare a notice of hearing.
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 callowayc@circuit8.org.
The Court may cancel the hearing if the required materials are not received.
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 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.
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
Emergency and time-sensitive motions should be filed electronically through the e-portal.
Emergency and time sensitive motions should be filed through the e-portal
Page 1 | Emergencies/Delays
Proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
Proposed orders shall be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.).
Page 5 | Format for Proposed Orders
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
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Hearing materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. at least five business days before the hearing.
Any documentation (i.e. evidence, case law, memorandum, etc.) that you would like the Court to consider for your hearing must be received in paper copy by 4:00pm at least 5 business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Documents for Hearings
Hearing materials are due to the judicial assistant at least 7 business days before the hearing.
3. Submission Deadlines: 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 3 | Scheduling Procedures
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
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
The Court must receive each side’s paper evidence packet by the deadline in the specific order; late packets may not be considered as evidence.
In addition, a PAPER COPY of all pre-marked evidence, from each side, shall be received by the Court no later than the deadline contained in your specific order. This packet will be used by the Court to stamp the official evidence as it is entered at the hearing/trial. If these documents are not timely received, they may not be considered as evidence in your case.
Page 2 | Presentation of Evidence
The participant list is due at least three business days before the hearing.
Each party will need to provide the court with a list of all parties, witnesses, etc. who the party expects to participate in the Zoom hearing, no less than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 2 | Appearance of Witnesses and Parties
An order will not be entered until the Clerk has docketed and imaged the motion.
Orders will not be entered until the motion has been docketed and imaged by the Clerk.
Page 5 | Format for Proposed Orders
Clerk docketing and imaging may take more than 48 hours after electronic filing.
Docketing and imaging by the Clerk may take more than 48 hours from electronic filing.
Page 5 | Format for Proposed Orders
Case law emailed to the Court less than 7 days before a hearing will not be considered.
4. Case law emailed to the Court less than 7 days prior to the hearing will not be considered.
Page 7 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Proposed hearing dates are not reserved and are not secured until the Court confirms them; hearing times that are not timely noticed will be removed from the calendar.
Dates provided for hearings are not held and may be given to other cases. Hearing dates/times are not secured until confirmation is sent from the Court. Hearing times not timely noticed will be removed from the Court’s calendar.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders and update their contact information on Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email changes, unless excused from providing an address.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516. 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
A copy of pre-marked hearing evidence must be served on all parties through the e-portal at least three business days before the hearing, unless the specific order sets a different date.
If you intend to present any evidence or documents to the court at your hearing, you must pre-mark all items for identification (ex. Plaintiff’s A,B, C, etc.) and serve a copy to all parties using the e-portal no less than three (3) business days prior to the hearing (or by the date listed in your specific order).
Page 1 | Presentation of Evidence
If a case includes pro se parties, serve them a copy of the pre-marked evidence by U.S. Mail at least ten days before the hearing.
If there are any pro se parties involved in your case, a copy of the pre-marked evidence shall be served on them, via US Mail, no later than ten (10) days prior to the hearing.
Page 2 | Presentation of Evidence
If the specific order requires witness identification copies, email the other side a copy of each potential testifying witness’s driver’s license.
You must also email the judicial assistant (and cc the other side) with a copy of the driver’s license of each witness who you may call to testify. The driver’s license number (except the last 4 digits) may be redacted. The month and day of birth (but not the year) may also be redacted. Your specific order will inform you of whether this is required in your case.
Page 2 | Appearance of Witnesses and Parties
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Hearing materials submitted for the Court’s consideration must be received in paper copy by 4:00 p.m. at least five business days before the hearing.
Any documentation (i.e. evidence, case law, memorandum, etc.) that you would like the Court to consider for your hearing must be received in paper copy by 4:00pm at least 5 business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Documents for Hearings
Emergency and time sensitive motions should be filed through the e-portal and a courtesy copy emailed to Charisma Calloway (CallowayC@circuit8.org).
Emergency and time sensitive motions should be filed through the e-portal and a courtesy copy emailed to Charisma Calloway (CallowayC@circuit8.org).
Page 1 | Emergencies/Delays
Deliver all exhibits at least seven business days before the hearing; the listed materials may be provided by email, U.S. Mail, or hand delivery.
All Exhibits must be delivered to the Court at least seven business days before a scheduled hearing on the matter. 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
Provide highlighted hard copies of pertinent case law, except that case law addressing standards of review for routine motions need not be provided.
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 6 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pleadings longer than 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
Deliver copies of motions and memoranda at least seven business days before the hearing; the listed materials may be provided by email, U.S. Mail, or hand delivery.
Copies of motions and memoranda must be delivered to the Court at least seven business days before a scheduled hearing on the matter. 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
Case-law binders 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
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
Hand-delivered court documents must not be dropped off at the Clerk’s drive-through window; use the civil courthouse front door to Room 408, or deliver them to Court Administration in Room 410 if Charisma is absent.
Hand Deliveries: Please DO NOT use the Clerk’s drive through window to drop off court documents. Deliveries should be made through the front door of the civil courthouse to our office (Room 408). If Charisma is not present to accept a delivery, please deliver all items to Court Administration in Room 410.
Page 2 | Hand Deliveries
A motion over 20 pages must not be emailed to the Court; its copy should instead be 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
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
When possible, file all evidence-related documents together in a single submission.
If possible, please file all documents in a single submission.
Page 1 | Presentation of Evidence
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A statement that opposing counsel was unavailable before filing does not satisfy the meet-and-confer obligation.
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
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
After filing, the moving party must promptly contact opposing counsel and supplement the motion with a statement about whether and how much of the dispute has been resolved.
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.
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
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.
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.
Page 7 | Discovery Disputes
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue must include a client consent and good faith effort statement or the court will not consider it.
4. Continuance Procedure: The court will not consider any motion to continue without a client consent and good faith effort statement.
Page 3 | Scheduling Procedures
If a motion to continue is represented as unopposed, all parties’ consents to the continuance 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
The Court decides motions to continue based on good cause without a hearing; failure to timely pursue discovery, take depositions, procure experts, or conduct mediation does not constitute 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
A motion to continue must be accompanied by the client’s consent.
The motion to continue must be accompanied by the Client’s consent.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
Chambers Communication Rules
To request a hearing on any matter, the parties must email the judicial assistant at callowayc@circuit8.org.
The parties are to contact the judicial assistant by email at callowayc@circuit8.org to request a hearing on any matter.
Page 2 | Scheduling Procedures
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, and all parties must be copied on emails to the office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
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. 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
After a hearing is confirmed, 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 to the judicial office must be emailed to callowayc@circuit8.org with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
1. Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to callowayc@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 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Counsel must immediately notify the Court if the parties resolve all or part of a motion before its hearing.
5. Cancelling Hearings: 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 3 | Scheduling Procedures
To obtain a trial date without a hearing, the parties must email the motion to set trial to the specified Court address.
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 callowayc@circuit8.org.
Page 3 | Setting Matters for Trial (Jury and Non-Jury)
If a case settles after being set for trial, the parties must immediately notify the Court.
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 4 | Setting Matters for Trial (Jury and Non-Jury)
Email any emergency motion 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
The parties must confer about a possible trial date and trial length and advise the Court of any agreement at least 5 days before the case management conference.
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.
Page 7 | Pretrial Procedures and Case Management Conferences
The party requesting a hearing should contact the Judicial Assistant with all other parties on the line or by email at the provided address.
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 callowayc@circuit8.org.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue
To schedule a Zoom hearing, email the Judicial Assistant, request a Zoom hearing, and provide the case number, hearing subject, requested duration, and participants’ names and email addresses.
Email the Judicial Assistant (CallowayC@circuit8.org) to schedule your hearing. You must inform her that you are requesting a zoom hearing in order for a Zoom hearing to be set up. You will need to provide the case number, subject of the hearing, amount of time requested, and the names and email addresses of all attorneys and/or parties who will be participating.
Page 1 | Scheduling an Evidentiary Hearing
Email the expected-participant list to the Judicial Assistant.
This information shall be provided via email to CallowayC@circuit8.org.
Page 2 | Appearance of Witnesses and Parties
In addition, attorneys should call Court Administration (352) 374-3648 to alert them to the filing of the emergency motion. Messages to Court Administration should only be left concerning emergency/time-sensitive motions.
In addition, attorneys should call Court Administration (352) 374-3648 to alert them to the filing of the emergency motion. Messages to Court Administration should only be left concerning emergency/time-sensitive motions.
Page 1 | Emergencies/Delays
Pro se litigants must arrange in advance with the Self-Help Center to use its computers for a Zoom hearing; they may contact the center by phone.
Due to a limited number of available devices, pro se litigants who want to use this service must make arrangements in advance, by contacting the Self-Help Center at (352) 548-3781 or Selfhelp@circuit8.org
Page 2 | Pro Se Access to the Court
Do not call the Court to speak with a Judge about a case.
Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Judge Gloria R. Walker
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.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Judge Gloria R. Walker
Arguments must be presented in court or in documents filed by actual parties; the Court will not consider 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,
Civil cases
Page 1 | Judge Gloria R. Walker
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties may contact the judicial office only as permitted by 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 experiencing technical issues should email the Court’s judicial assistant to report them.
If a participant is having technical issues, please email the Court’s judicial assistant to advise of the issues.
Page 4 | Remote Hearing Procedures
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 include the Judicial Assistant in substantive discussions or disputes about whether a motion is appropriate; emails to the assistant should be limited to hearing logistics.
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
If required by the specific order, email the Judicial Assistant a copy of each potential testifying witness’s driver’s license and copy the other side.
You must also email the judicial assistant (and cc the other side) with a copy of the driver’s license of each witness who you may call to testify. The driver’s license number (except the last 4 digits) may be redacted. The month and day of birth (but not the year) may also be redacted. Your specific order will inform you of whether this is required in your case.
Page 2 | Appearance of Witnesses and Parties
The judicial assistant cannot provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Contact the Court’s Information Technology department by phone in advance to coordinate trial or hearing technology issues.
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 | Remote Hearing Procedures