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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A consent Order must include “Consent” or “Agreed” in its caption.

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management conference order

The case management conference order must include all information the Court requires to schedule trial.

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

Discovery motion

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

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 for that party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Conference request

A request for a case management conference or status conference must state the reason the conference is necessary.

Requests for CMC or SC must articulate the reason(s) for the necessity of the conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to appoint special process server

A motion to appoint a special process server should name one or two individuals, not a business, and must include the required certification or proof of certification in another circuit.

All motions to appoint special process servers: Should name at least one individual, but not more than two Should not name a business or company as a process server Must contain a certification that the named individuals have been certified by the Florida Association of Professional Process Servers, or some similar association, or provide proof that the individuals are certified in another circuit.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why emergency relief is necessary, and 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 including: (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, and a courtesy copy of the motion along with a hearing request including all pertinent information must be e-mailed to the judicial assistant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to appear remotely

Must include

proposed order

A motion requesting remote appearance for a hearing longer than 30 minutes due to extenuating circumstances must include a proposed order.

If a party wishes to request remote appearance for a hearing that is longer than 30 minutes due to extenuating circumstances, they may do so by filing a Motion to Appear Remotely and submitting a proposed order granting same via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal no less than 7 days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order appointing special process server

The court will not enter orders appointing special process servers outside its jurisdiction.

Orders will not be entered appointing special process servers outside the jurisdiction of the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Each proposed order must include a cover letter identifying the corresponding motion and hearing date and either certifying all parties’ agreement or identifying their disagreement.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter which identifies the corresponding motion(s) and date the motion(s) was heard and either (1) certifies that all parties agree to the order or (2) contains a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The moving party must prepare a notice of hearing that identifies the scheduled hearing type when requesting a non-evidentiary hearing.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing materials

Hearing materials must be sent along with any case law or memorandums of law.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to set trial

A request for a trial date outside the Florida Judicial Time Standards must explain the need and include 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

Proposed orders must include the specified coding and certificate-of-service block after the body.

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

The moving party must file with the motion a statement certifying that counsel conferred and 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

Proposed order

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.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

List of expected hearing participants

Each party must provide the Court with a list of everyone expected to participate in the Zoom 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

After the Court confirms a hearing, the parties must file a notice of hearing.

Once a hearing has been confirmed with the Court, the parties are to file the notice of hearing

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case procedure request

Requests concerning case procedures, including rescheduling and remote appearances, 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

Hearing request

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

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

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.

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

Stamped envelopes

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.

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.

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 certification of good faith conference.

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Remote appearance request

A request to appear using communication technology must be made by motion.

Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Stipulated motion

A stipulated 30- or 40-day motion must include a paragraph stating that the Assistant State Attorney was contacted and does not oppose the motion.

Any such motion must include a paragraph that states that the Assistant State Attorney was contacted and is not opposed to granting the thirty (30) or forty (40) day motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Must include

certificate of service

Every order must include a certificate of service at its bottom.

All orders shall include a certificate of service at the bottom of the order.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

The filing attorney must prepare a proposed order with the appropriate number of copies for opposing counsel.

The attorney filing the motion shall prepare a proposed order with the appropriate number of copies for opposing counsel.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

The filing attorney must prepare, file, and serve both the notice of hearing and the motion.

The attorney filing such motion shall prepare, file, and serve a notice of hearing and the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Remote appearance request

A motion and an order granting the motion are required to appear by Zoom.

A Motion and Order Granting said Motion to Appear by Zoom is required.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The notice of hearing must state the bond hearing’s time, date, and courtroom.

The notice of hearing shall include the time, date, and courtroom for the bond hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A motion requesting a continuance must be signed by the party requesting it.

All motions must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Orders must identify the party receiving the order and include the applicable email/e-service addresses or mailing address.

Please indicate the name of the party who is to receive the order, and include all party’s e-mail/e-service addresses OR mailing address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders submitted through the portal must include a signature block.

Submit proposed orders to the portal at (myflcourtaccess.com) with a signature block.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Every notice of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion stating the issues, why emergency consideration is necessary, the time needed for each party, and opposing counsel’s position.

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, (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation, and (4) position of the opposing counsel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Must include

certificate of service

Every order must include a certificate of service at the bottom identifying the recipient by name and providing the recipient’s e-mail/e-service address or, if a hard copy is required, mailing address.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Each proposed order must include a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreement.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

The filing attorney must prepare, file, and serve the notice and motion by 2:00 p.m. on the business day before the hearing.

The attorney filing such motion shall prepare, file, and serve a notice of hearing and the motion by 2:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the date that the hearing is scheduled to occur.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the Clerk, Court, and every party to review at the hearing or trial.

All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Orders must identify the recipient and provide that party’s email/e-service address and mailing address.

Please indicate the name of the party who is to receive the order, as well as that party’s email/e-service address and mailing address.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

The filing attorney must prepare a proposed order and bring it to the hearing with the appropriate number of copies for opposing counsel.

The attorney filing the motion shall prepare a proposed order and bring that order to the bond hearing with the appropriate number of copies for opposing counsel.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The attorney is responsible for identifying the proper bond hearing docket and noticing the hearing before the appropriate division Judge.

The attorney is responsible for identifying the proper bond hearing docket and noticing the hearing before the appropriate division Judge.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Thirty- and forty-day ROR-release motions must be noticed for the first available bond hearing docket, regardless of the case’s division.

Thirty (30) and forty (40) day motions for ROR release shall be noticed for hearing for the first available bond hearing docket, irrespective of the division in which the case is filed.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The attorney must identify the proper bond hearing docket and notice the hearing before the first available judge on the business day after filing.

The attorney is responsible for identifying the proper bond hearing docket and noticing the hearing before the first available Judge on the business day following the date the motion is filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order granting withdrawal

A proposed order granting withdrawal must be accompanied by the client’s email designation form or notice that the form was previously filed.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Must include

certificate of service

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.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation for substitution of counsel

A law-firm substitution stipulation must be signed by the former and new attorneys, include written client consent, and be filed in the court file.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Expedited motion

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.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing

Counsel attending a unilaterally set hearing must be prepared to present proof of attempts to coordinate with opposing counsel.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint answer motion brief or other filing

Must include

ai disclosure

Attorneys and pro se parties must disclose AI use in covered filings and certify that every legal and record citation has been verified.

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.