Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Proposed Order
Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal in Microsoft Word format.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Microsoft Word format
If there are any parties to the case requiring service by US mail, attorneys shall submit pre-addressed, postage paid envelopes to Judge Groeb’s office along with copies of the order for conforming. Please make a note of the case number on the envelope.
All orders shall have a 2″ x 3.5″ blank space on the first page of the order in the upper right-hand corner.
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
Each party must email the court a list of expected participants, including parties and witnesses, at least three business days before 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. This information shall be provided via email to courtneya@circuit8.org.
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 orders shall include a certificate of service at the bottom of the order. Please indicate 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, if a hard copy is required.
- Document
- Order
- Placement
- Certificate section
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal.
All proposed orders must be submitted through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal in Microsoft Word format.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments — Format
Proposed orders and motions should be submitted via e-filing through the Alachua Clerk; warrants, arrest documents, and capiases are excluded and should instead be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
ALL Proposed Orders and Motions should be submitted via e-filing by the Alachua Clerk. This excludes warrants/arrest/capias, which should be emailed to the judicial assistant at courtneya@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments — Submission Method
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The participant list for a Zoom hearing 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. This information shall be provided via email to courtneya@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Appearance of Parties
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for receiving signed orders electronically unless excused.
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.
Page 1 | E-Filing Portal Contact Information
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the motion, and a cover letter (if any), should accompany the proposed order.
A courtesy copy of the motion, and a cover letter (if any), should accompany the proposed order.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments — Format
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant and include the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to the Judicial Assistant, Alexandra Courtney, at courtneya@circuit8.org Please include the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 CF 001234 – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested.).
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
To schedule a Zoom hearing, email the Judicial Assistant, state that a Zoom hearing is requested, and provide the case number, hearing subject, requested duration, and names and email addresses of participants.
Please email the Judicial Assistant, Alexandra Courtney, at courtneya@circuit8.org to 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 a Status Conference/Non-Evidentiary Hearing by Zoom
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is authorized by law to be 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 1 | Ex parte Communications
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, including its prohibition on ex parte communications unless 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.
Page 1 | Ex parte Communications
The requesting attorney or party must arrange third-party appearances and share Zoom information only with anticipated participants; the information must not be publicly published, and the court will not call participants into the hearing.
The attorney or party requesting the Zoom hearing will be responsible for sharing the Zoom hearing information with any third party and for making arrangements for their appearance, including, but not limited to, court reporters, witnesses, etc. The court will not be able to call parties to include them in the hearing. The Zoom hearing information shall be provided only to third parties who are anticipated to participate in the hearing and shall NOT be publicly published.
Page 1 | Appearance of Parties
Letters, emails, and other correspondence with the Judge’s office are public records and will be recorded.
When you contact the Judge’s office please know letters, e-mails and other correspondence are all public record and will be recorded.
Page 1 | Response to Inquiries
Warrants, arrest documents, and capiases should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
This excludes warrants/arrest/capias, which should be emailed to the judicial assistant at courtneya@circuit8.org.
Page 1 | Submission of Orders and Judgments — Submission Method
If represented by counsel, contact your attorney.
When you are represented by Counsel, contact your attorney.
Page 1 | Ex parte Communications
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 1 | Unsolicited Communications
The Court considers only arguments made in court and documents filed by parties, and does not consider other opinions or arguments or provide legal advice.
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 Robert K. Groeb
Do not call the Court to discuss a case with a judge; judges 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. Please do not call the Court expecting to speak with a Judge about any case.
Page 1 | Judge Robert K. Groeb
Judicial Assistants cannot provide legal advice.
Judicial Assistants are not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 1 | Response to Inquiries
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 Robert K. Groeb