Eighth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order must be provided in a copy for the Court and each party not using e-Portal.

copies for an original to be entered by the Court and a copy for each party not using e-Portal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A motion must include a statement certifying that counsel conferred and stating whether they agree on its resolution.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

After the court confirms a hearing, parties must file the notice of hearing and email a copy 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case procedure request

Requests involving case procedures, including rescheduling, telephonic appearances, or remote video participation, must be made by written motion to the presiding judge rather than through the ADA request form.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A hearing will be set only on a motion already filed with the Clerk that contains the required good-faith-conference certification.

Hearings will only be set on motions already filed with the Clerk which contain the required certification of good faith conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

When seeking a trial date outside the Florida Judicial Time Standards, counsel must provide an explanation and a detailed discovery plan.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If counsel lacks an unrepresented party’s email address, counsel must mail or hand-deliver the proposed order and letter to the Court under the stated instructions.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately mail or hand-deliver an addressed, stamped envelope to the Court.

If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately mail or hand deliver to the Court an addressed, stamped envelope.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If counsel lacks an unrepresented party’s email address, counsel must mail or hand-deliver the proposed order, cover letter, and attachments to the Court under the stated instructions.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

The email transmitting an emergency motion must include the case number, case name, and “EMERGENCY” in its reference line.

Any emergency motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name and EMERGENCY in the reference line.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

The cover letter must confirm that the opposing party received the same materials as the Court and state whether that party consents to the requested relief and agrees with the proposed order’s language.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management conference order

Include all information required by the case management conference order for trial scheduling.

The case management conference order requires specific information needed by the Court to schedule the trial. Please ensure that all required information is included.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

The party presenting a proposed order must provide addressed, stamped envelopes for parties not using e-Portal.

Further, the party presenting the proposed Order, shall be responsible for providing addressed, stamped envelopes for parties not using the e-Portal;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to compel discovery

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing request

A hearing request must include the motion and the amount of hearing time requested.

The hearing request must include a copy of the motion that you are requesting a hearing on and the amount of time requested for the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A consent order’s caption must include the word “Consent” or “Agreed.”

All consent Orders shall include the word “Consent” or “Agreed” in the caption of the proposed Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

The proposed order’s service list must include e-filing addresses for opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.

The service list on the Order must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately mail or hand-deliver an addressed, stamped envelope for that party to the Court.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing materials

Any case law or memoranda of law must be provided with the hearing materials.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order submitted after a hearing must include a cover letter identifying the order and hearing and stating that opposing parties received the same materials and whether they agree with the order’s language.

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

A party seeking to appear by Zoom must file a motion for the Court’s consideration.

The Court will consider requests to appear by Zoom upon the filing of a Motion.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Emergency motion

A party seeking an emergency hearing based on a factual basis must file a detailed motion identifying the issues, explaining why an emergency hearing is necessary, and stating the time needed for each party’s presentation.

If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Notice of appearance

A coverage attorney must file a notice of appearance as co-counsel before the Court will recognize the attorney as representing a party.

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 1.30, “coverage” attorneys must file a notice of appearance as co-counsel before the Court will recognize the attorney as representing that party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Interpreter request

Please be sure to include the following information when making your request: Date, time and location of the event Language desired, include any geographical preferences (ex. Brazilian Portuguese) The case number and name of the person(s) requiring interpretation The name and telephone of the person making the request The type of event and any special needs or instructions

Please be sure to include the following information when making your request: Date, time and location of the event Language desired, include any geographical preferences (ex. Brazilian Portuguese) The case number and name of the person(s) requiring interpretation The name and telephone of the person making the request The type of event and any special needs or instructions

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion to transport

Must include

proposed order

In Baker County, an attorney requesting an in-person appearance for an in-custody defendant must submit a motion and proposed order to transport.

A Motion and proposed Order to Transport is required if their attorney requests an in-person appearance.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Contact information

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused and update their contact information on Form 2.603 whenever the registered email changes.

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.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

Every proposed order must include the specified coding after its body, including the order language and certificate-of-service block.

All proposed orders must 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 OR Macclenny, Alachua OR Baker 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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management conference

The parties must confer about the trial date and length and advise the Court of their 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing request

A hearing request must include a copy of the motion for which a hearing is requested.

The hearing request must include a copy of the motion that you are requesting a hearing on.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Form 2.603

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 to update their contact information whenever their registered electronic-service email changes.

It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Order

If copies are requested, the order must include email addresses at the bottom.

Email addresses must be on the bottom of the order if copies are requested.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A motion must include a statement certifying that counsel conferred and stating whether they agree on the motion’s resolution.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A hearing will be set only for a motion already filed with the Clerk that contains the required good-faith-conference certification.

Hearings will only be set on motions already filed with the Clerk which contain the required certification of good faith conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

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.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing materials

Hearing materials must be accompanied by 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

The Order’s service list must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.

The service list on the Order must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel and unrepresented parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If counsel lacks an unrepresented party’s email address, counsel must mail or hand-deliver the proposed Order, cover letter, and attachments to the Court.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If counsel lacks an unrepresented party’s email address, counsel must mail or hand deliver the proposed Order and letter to the Court.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

After the court confirms a hearing, the parties must file the notice of hearing and email a copy 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.

CRITICAL

If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately provide the Court an addressed, stamped envelope for that party.

If an unrepresented party does not receive e-filings, counsel must immediately mail or hand deliver to the Court an addressed, stamped envelope.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

The moving party must promptly supplement the motion with a statement of whether and to what extent the parties resolved the issues.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Submit an amended motion that complies with the divisional procedures on the judge’s website.

Please submit an Amended Motion that complies with the divisional procedures listed on the Judge’s divisional procedure page on our website.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to continue

If a motion to continue is represented as unopposed, the consents of all parties must be filed.

If a party represents that a motion to continue is unopposed, then all parties’ consents to the continuance must be filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

An emergency-motion email must include the case number, case name, and “EMERGENCY” in its reference line.

Any emergency motion must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with the case number, case name and EMERGENCY in the reference line.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed Order’s service list must include e-filing addresses for opposing counsel or the unrepresented party.

The proposed Order service list must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel/unrepresented party.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

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.

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).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

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.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

If the parties agree to all or part of the requested relief, the motion’s caption must identify that the relief is unopposed, agreed, stipulated, or otherwise not opposed.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to set trial

Counsel seeking a trial date outside the Florida Judicial Time Standards must provide an explanation and a detailed discovery plan.

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.