Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
- No Later Than 3 Business Days Before Hearing or Trial
Non Exhibit Document
- Email • At Least 3 Business Days Before Hearing or Trial
Pre Marked Exhibits, Index of Exhibits
- By Deadline in Specific Order or 5 Business Days Before Hearing
Adjournments
- Before filing a continuance motion, contact opposing counsel about an objection and state the response in the motion; submit an agreed order if all parties agree, or set a hearing if necessary and upload a proposed order if opposed, with the Court deciding each motion case by case.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements5 rules
In order to file a motion for Zoom appearance, you must have a fully operational camera. Use of your camera is required for Zoom appearances.
Do not send proposed orders by United States Mail or email unless the proposed order is in PDF format.
- File type
- Proposed order
The Court will not accept electronic devices (i.e., videos, flash drives, etc.) sent via US Mail; you may submit a physical copy at hearing/trial.
Each case or document should be provided as a separate file.
Litigants should highlight the parts of a law or case that they believe are pertinent to the issues at hand.
Document Filing Requirements28 rules
To request a hearing, please use the form on our hearing request page.
All proposed orders/judgments from ATTORNEY’S must be submitted via the eportal (www.myflcourtaccess.com) with a signature block.
- Document
- Proposed order or judgment
- Placement
- Signature block
Additionally, all proposed orders granting withdrawal shall be accompanied by the filing of an email designation form for the client or notice to the Court that an email designation has been previously filed.
If an additional recipient or address is needed, add the recipient’s name and email/e-service or mailing address at the end of the Certificate of Service’s AAAA block.
- Document
- Proposed order
- Placement
- Certificate section
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
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.
Stipulations for substitution of counsel between law firms shall be signed by both the former attorney, the new attorney taking over the case and must include written client consent. The Stipulation shall be filed in the court file.
A party needing an expedited ruling on a time-sensitive motion that is not an emergency may file an expedited motion titled “Expedited Motion” that details the needed ruling date and the reason for it.
Court's wording
A party whose time-sensitive motion does not qualify as an emergency motion but who nonetheless requires an expedited ruling by a date certain may file an expedited motion. An expedited motion must include the words “Expedited Motion” in the title and must set forth in detail the date by which an expedited ruling is needed and the reason the ruling is needed by the stated date.
Further, counsel attending any hearing unilaterally set pursuant to these instructions will be expected to present proof of attempts to coordinate with opposing counsel at the hearing.
Attorneys and pro se parties must disclose AI use in covered filings and certify that every legal and record citation has been verified.
- Document
- Complaint answer motion brief or other filing
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
If any attorney for a party, or a pro se party, has used Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in the preparation of any complaint, answer, motion, brief, or other paper filed with the Court, and assigned to Judge Ramsey, MUST, in a clear and plain factual statement disclose that AI has been used in any way in the filing, and CERTIFY, that each and every citation to the law or the record in the paper has been verified as accurate.
Digital Exhibits that cannot be sent via US Mail (i.e., videos, flash drives, etc.) must be included on the exhibit list (and properly marked) and hand delivered directly to the opposing counsel or party no later than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.
Pre-mark every item of evidence for identification and serve a copy on all parties by certified U.S. mail at least ten business days before the hearing.
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. “Petitioner’s Exhibit A, B, C..”) and serve a copy via Certified US Mail to all parties no less than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.
A motion to withdraw and its proposed order must include the client’s address and email address, if any.
Court's wording
When filing a Motion to Withdraw as Attorney of Record, you are required to include the client’s contact information, including address and e-mail address if any, within the text of the Motion and any proposed order on same.
Any hearings scheduled unilaterally pursuant to these instructions must include a note on the Notice of Hearing stating “Set Unilaterally Pursuant to Judge Van Vorst’s Divisional Instructions.”
Every proposed order must include the specified coding and certificate-of-service template after its body.
- Document
- Proposed order
Must include
- •Certificate of service
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
If you have your client’s written consent to withdraw there is no need to set your Motion to Withdraw for hearing. Instead, please file a consent to withdraw signed by the client in the court file. Please submit your proposed order with the client’s contact information to the e-portal for the case division.
You must include your client’s name and contact information in the certificate of service for both the Motion to Withdraw and the Notice of Hearing.
- Document
- Motion to withdraw and notice of hearing
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Your proposed order must include your client’s contact information and indicate that your client has 30 days to retain new counsel and have counsel file a notice of appearance or your client shall be deemed to be proceeding pro-se unless the party must be represented per the rules of civil procedure.
All emergency motions must be verified. Emergency motions must be e-mailed to the judicial assistant for the Court’s review.
The Court will not grant a substitution of counsel unless client’s written consent is obtained.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders and update it on Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email changes, unless excused.
Court's wording
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.
Pursuant to Florida Rules Procedure, all motions to withdraw or for substitution of counsel must contain the client’s signature/consent and specific reason(s) for the withdraw/substitution.
Once confirmation of the hearing date has been received by email from the judicial assistant, a notice of hearing shall be prepared by the moving party.
Please confer with all parties prior to the hearing to determine whether there are any stipulations as to the admissibility of evidence. Any pre-marked evidence which is stipulated, should be so noted. All other pre-marked evidence will be considered opposed.
The notice of hearing shall include the full title of the motion and filing date, the length of the hearing, and shall advise if the hearing will be conducted in person or via Zoom.
Motions to withdraw filed after the case has been set for trial may not be granted, and all such orders shall include notice to the now pro se litigant of the date and time of the previously scheduled hearing or trial.
An emergency motion must be titled “Emergency Motion” and detail the emergency, the date a ruling is needed, and why it is needed by that date.
Court's wording
A party requesting emergency action must include the words “Emergency Motion” in the title of the motion and must set forth in detail the nature of the emergency, the date by which a ruling is necessary, and the reason the ruling is needed by the stated date.
The Court considers Zoom appearance motions case by case and will deny counsel’s Zoom appearance if the client will appear in person.
Court's wording
Motions for appearance by Zoom will be considered by the Court on a case-by-case basis. A request for Zoom appearance may be denied. If your client will appear in-person in court, a Zoom appearance by counsel will be denied.
On a block docket, a case attended by Zoom will be called after all cases with in-person appearances.
Court's wording
Please be advised that if your case is set on a block docket (such as pretrial conferences) and you are attending by Zoom, your case will be called after all other cases with in-person appearances are called.
Use the emergency-motion process only for a threatened child or improper removal, or another situation requiring immediate action to prevent harm; unwarranted emergency designation may result in sanctions.
Court's wording
The emergency motion process should only be used in situations where a child is threatened with harm or where a party plans to improperly remove a child from the state. See Loudermilk v. Loudermilk, 693 So. 2d 666 (Fla. 2d DCA 1997). If one of these circumstances exists or another that rises to the level that would require immediate action to prevent harm, a party may file an emergency motion. The unwarranted designation of a motion as an emergency motion may result in sanctions.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attorneys must submit a Notice of Hearing through the eportal.
Attorney’s MUST submit, via the eportal, a Notice of Hearing and send Judicial Assistant a copy within 72 hrs of approved hearing dates.
Page 1 | Division Procedures
Attorneys must submit proposed orders and judgments through the eportal and include a signature block.
All proposed orders/judgments from ATTORNEY’S must be submitted via the eportal (www.myflcourtaccess.com) with a signature block.
Page 1 | Division Procedures
Submit proposed orders through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal; a proposed order sent by mail or email must be in PDF format.
Proposed orders shall be submitted via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (www. https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/). Do not send proposed orders by United States Mail or email unless the proposed order is in PDF format.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Evidence should not be filed with the Clerk.
Evidence should not be filed with the Clerk.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
A proposed order for a substitution of counsel may be submitted through the division e-portal.
A proposed order may be submitted through the e-portal for the case division.
Page 1 | SUBSTITUTION OF COUNSEL
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All parties must submit evidence within 72 hours of the scheduled hearing.
All parties (Plaintiff/Defendant) MUST submit evidence within 72 hrs of scheduled hearing.
Page 1 | Division Procedures
A copy of the Notice of Hearing must be sent to the Judicial Assistant within 72 hours of approved hearing dates.
Attorney’s MUST submit, via the eportal, a Notice of Hearing and send Judicial Assistant a copy within 72 hrs of approved hearing dates.
Page 1 | Division Procedures
File a Zoom-appearance motion and upload the correct proposed order to the division portal at least three business days before the court date; untimely filing or upload results in denial.
ALL MOTIONS FOR ZOOM APPEARANCE MUST BE FILED IN THE COURT FILE AT LEAST 3 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED COURT DATE. A PROPOSED ORDER GRANTING THE ZOOM APPEARANCE MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE CASE’S DIVISION PORTAL AT LEAST 3 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED COURT DATE. FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE THE MOTION AND UPLOAD THE CORRECT ORDER TO THE EPORTAL, WILL RESULT IN DENIAL OF THE MOTION.
Page 1 | Remote Appearance
An email pointing out an error does not toll the deadline for rehearing or reconsideration, although email may suffice to correct a scrivener’s error.
While an email may suffice in the correction of scrivener’s errors, please remember that emails pointing out errors do not toll the time for rehearing or reconsideration under the Rules.
Page 1 | Motions for Re-hearing/Reconsideration
An order will not be entered until the Clerk dockets and images the motion, a process that may take more than 48 hours after electronic filing.
Orders will not be entered until the motion has been docketed and imaged by the Clerk. Docketing and imaging by the Clerk may take more than 48 hours from electronic filing.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
If you intend to present any evidence or documents to the court at your hearing, you must pre-mark all items for identification (ex. “Petitioner’s Exhibit A, B, C..”) and serve a copy via Certified US Mail to all parties no less than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.
If you intend to present any evidence or documents to the court at your hearing, you must pre-mark all items for identification (ex. “Petitioner’s Exhibit A, B, C..”) and serve a copy via Certified US Mail to all parties no less than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Hand deliver digital exhibits that cannot be mailed directly to opposing counsel or the party at least ten business days before the hearing.
Digital Exhibits that cannot be sent via US Mail (i.e., videos, flash drives, etc.) must be included on the exhibit list (and properly marked) and hand delivered directly to the opposing counsel or party no later than ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
For parties who have not consented to email service, provide stamped, blank envelopes to the judicial assistant by mail or hand delivery, clipped together with a sticky note stating the case name and number.
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, Candace Thomas. 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.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Serve the client with a copy of the motion to withdraw and the notice of hearing.
You are also required to serve on your client a copy of the Motion to Withdraw and a Notice of Hearing.
Page 1 | MOTIONS TO WITHDRAW AS THE ATTORNEY OF RECORD
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The Court must receive paper copies of all pre-marked exhibits and each side’s exhibit index by the deadline in the specific order or five business days before the hearing, by certified mail or hand delivery.
In addition, a paper copy of all pre-marked exhibits, along with an Index of Exhibits from each side, shall be received by the Court via Certified US Mail or by hand delivery to the Court’s Gainesville office no later than the deadline contained in your specific order, or five (5) business days prior to the hearing date.
Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Cases being relied upon by the parties at a hearing or trial should be provided to opposing counsel and the Court no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
Cases being relied upon by the parties at a hearing or trial should be provided to opposing counsel and the Court no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Provide other non-exhibit documents for the Court’s review by email to the Court and opposing party at least three business days before the hearing or trial, with each case or document in a separate file.
All other non-exhibit documents that a party wishes the Court to review must be provided to the Court and the opposing party by email to ThomasC@circuit8.org at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing or trial. Each case or document should be provided as a separate file.
Page 1 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before requesting hearing time, confirm that the motion has been filed, served on all parties, and docketed; no hearing time will be given for motions that are not filed and docketed.
Please confirm that your motion has been filed, served on all parties, and docketed prior to requesting hearing time. No hearing time will be given for motions that are not filed and docketed.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Parties must coordinate hearing availability; a party may set a hearing unilaterally only after a good-faith scheduling attempt and three unanswered email or phone attempts.
It is mandatory that all parties consult with one another regarding their availability for hearing. If a hearing is unilaterally set without any effort to coordinate a date and time with opposing counsel, that matter will not be heard by the Court. However, if a party has made a good faith attempt to schedule a hearing with opposing counsel and counsel has failed to respond after three (3) attempts via email and/or phone, then the party may schedule the hearing unilaterally.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
If the attorney cannot obtain the client’s consent or completed email designation, the motion to withdraw or substitute counsel may be set for hearing.
If an attorney is unable to obtain client consent or an email designation filled out by the client, then the motion to withdraw or to substitute counsel may be set for hearing.
Page 1 | Notices of Appearance, Motion to Withdraw and Substitution of Counsel
A motion to withdraw may require a hearing even with client consent if filed before an already scheduled hearing or trial.
Motions to withdraw, even with consent, may require a hearing if filed prior to an already scheduled hearing or trial.
Page 1 | Notices of Appearance, Motion to Withdraw and Substitution of Counsel
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Before filing a continuance motion, contact opposing counsel about an objection and state the response in the motion; submit an agreed order if all parties agree, or set a hearing if necessary and upload a proposed order if opposed, with the Court deciding each motion case by case.
You must contact opposing counsel to determine if they have an objection prior to filing a Motion for Continuance. The Motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court and must indicate if opposing counsel objects to the continuance. If the continuance is agreed to by all parties, please submit an Agreed Order to the appropriate e-portal for the case’s division. If the opposing party objects to the continuance, it may be necessary to set a hearing on the Motion but still upload a proposed order to the appropriate e-portal for the case’s division. Please see the procedure for scheduling a hearing. The Court will evaluate the Motions for Continuance on a case-by-case basis even if the opposing party agrees or does not object to the continuance.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Attorneys must send the Judicial Assistant a copy of the Notice of Hearing within 72 hours of approved hearing dates.
Attorney’s MUST submit, via the eportal, a Notice of Hearing and send Judicial Assistant a copy within 72 hrs of approved hearing dates.
Page 1 | Division Procedures
When filing a rehearing or reconsideration motion, email a copy to the Court for review.
Upon filing said motion, email a copy Court for review. The Court will either rule without a hearing or will advise the moving attorney to schedule a hearing.
Page 1 | Motions for Re-hearing/Reconsideration
For a party or witness who will testify, email a photograph of their driver’s license or photo ID to the Court at least three business days before the hearing.
If a party or witness will provide testimony at the scheduled hearing, the Court must receive by email to ThomasC@circuit8.org, a photograph copy of their driver’s license or photo ID no later than three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the listed address with the county-coded case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to ThomasC@circuit8.org. The subject line must contain the case number including the county code, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 01-2024-CF-001234-A: State v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Email the Judge’s office a copy of an emergency motion that has been e-filed and served on opposing counsel.
A copy of any “Emergency” motion e-filed with the Clerk of Court and served upon opposing counsel should be provided to the Judge’s office for review by emailing ThomasC@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Requests to set hearings must follow the email scheduling procedures, and a motion to set hearing must be emailed to the judicial assistant with a hearing request made under those procedures.
All requests to set hearings must be emailed pursuant to the scheduling procedures above. Please be advised that filing a motion to set hearing must be emailed to the judicial assistant, ThomasC@circuit8.org, and a hearing must be requested pursuant to the scheduling procedures.
Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A hearing may be cancelled only with the Court’s written agreement, and the Court must be notified at least 24 hours before a cancellation request.
No hearing shall be cancelled unless the parties have the written agreement from the Court. Please notify the Court at least 24 hours in advance of any requests to cancel.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Do not call or email the Court to speak with a judge about a case.
Please do not call or email the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Email emergency motions to the judicial assistant for Court review.
Emergency motions must be e-mailed to the judicial assistant for the Court’s review.
Page 1 | Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Requests to set trial or final hearing must follow the email scheduling procedures, and the motion must be emailed to the judicial assistant with a hearing request made under those procedures.
All requests to set trial or final hearing must be emailed pursuant to the scheduling procedures above. Please be advised that filing a motion to set trial or final hearing must be emailed to the judicial assistant, ThomasC@circuit8.org, and a hearing must be requested pursuant to the scheduling procedures.
Page 1 | Setting Case for Trial or Final Hearing
If the judge needs to see or act on a filed motion, provide a copy to the judicial assistant because the judge may not receive the e-filed motion.
When a motion is e-filed the Judge does not always receive a copy. If you file a motion that the Judge needs to see or act upon, you must provide a copy to the Judicial Assistant, ThomasC@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
All hearing requests must use the hearing request form and be emailed to the judicial assistant.
You must use the hearing request form to email all hearing requests to ThomasC@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
Hearing requests may not be made by telephone.
Hearing requests are not accepted by telephone.
Page 1 | Scheduling Procedures
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.
Page 1 | Judge Jonathan D. Ramsey
The Court considers only arguments made in court and documents filed by actual parties, and does not consider other opinions or arguments about a 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 Jonathan D. Ramsey
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 Jonathan D. Ramsey
Comments about a case should be mailed to the Clerk’s Office.
If you have a comment to make, please mail it to the Clerk’s Office.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The Court will not consider unsolicited non-party communications, 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 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office