Judge Sara Alijewicz
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits, Motion
- Email • Upon Submission
Filings > 20 pages
- Chambers Drop Off • Upon Submission
Notice Of Hearing, Motion
- Email • Before Hearing
Courtesy copies
Court-wideAdjournments
- Continuance motions are disfavored and require good cause.
- A continuance motion must state the reason and timing of the need, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed ready date with party agreement status.
- Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
Request must include
- Continuance motions must be submitted at least 10 days before the scheduled court date unless exigent circumstances apply.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Remote participants must dress and behave professionally as if physically present in court.
Any person appearing remotely must dress and behave professionally in the same manner as if physically present in the courtroom.
Exhibits must be labeled using the prescribed party-label format.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Insert label preference (e.g., "Petitioner/Plaintiff/State 1" or "Respondent/Defendant 1").
Remote participants must appear from a private, quiet location free from distractions.
Any person appearing remotely must be in a private location that is quiet and free from distractions.
Remote participants must mute their microphone when joining and keep it muted until instructed otherwise.
Any person appearing remotely must mute the person's microphone when joining the proceeding and keep the microphone turned off until instructed otherwise by the court.
Remote participants must turn on their camera when joining and keep it on until instructed otherwise.
Any person appearing remotely must enable the person's camera when joining the proceeding and keep the camera turned on until instructed otherwise by the court.
Orders should be submitted in Word format through the court's Online Services and served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
The Court prefers all orders to be submitted in WORD format through the Court's Online Services with service to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements22 rules
A notice of voluntary dismissal must include certification showing that a copy was furnished by mail or hand delivery and stating the date of service.
I certify that a copy here of has been furnished to: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ by ____mail or by ____hand delivery, this ____day of ______________________, 20____.
Document Type
Notice Of Voluntary Dismissal
Emergency motions must be filed with the Clerk before submission to the judge for review.
Emergency Motions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts before submitting to the Judge for review.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
A special-set hearing request must be emailed with the motion, requested duration, and opposing party copied.
This request is emailed to CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org asking for hearing dates and times, specifying what Motion is being heard, how much time is needed and cc'ing the opposing party.
Document Type
Hearing Request
Special-set hearings may not be canceled without a court order.
Special set hearings may not be cancelled without court order.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
Motions must be filed and docketed before a hearing date and time may be requested.
The motion(s) must be filed and docketed with the Clerk of Court prior to requesting a hearing date and time.
Document Type
Motion
A notice for trial must be filed to set a case for trial.
File a notice for trial to set the case for trial.
Document Type
Notice For Trial
An emergency-hearing motion must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and 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.
Document Type
Emergency Motion
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Request
Case management conferences are mandatory for attorneys and self-represented litigants unless the court excuses them in advance.
Unless excused by the court in advance, all CMCs are mandatory for attorneys and self-represented litigants.
Document Type
Case Management Conference
The filer must certify that a copy of the notice was served on the other party by email when the party has registered for e-service or otherwise by U.S. Mail.
I certify that a copy of this document that a copy of this document was served on the other party on this case by email (if the party has registered for e-service) or otherwise via U.S. Mail.
Document Type
Notice Of Designation Of Email Address For E Service
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Document Type
Division Forms
A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must list the judge's remote-platform credentials.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judge's insert remote platform credentials.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Any objection to communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Any objection to the use of communication technology must be made by motion.
Document Type
Objection To Remote Appearance
Parties must provide copies of intended exhibits, evidence, and demonstratives to the Clerk as required by the trial order.
The parties shall provide copies of all intended exhibits, evidence or demonstratives to the Clerk as per the trial order.
Document Type
Exhibits
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party when needed.
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, if necessary.
Document Type
Exhibits
Domestic Violence hearings must be conducted in person, while other hearings are eligible for remote appearance.
All hearings are eligible for remote appearance except Domestic Violence hearings. All Domestic Violence hearings will be in person.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Request
Every proposed order must include confirmation of party agreement or identify any disagreement.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of all parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Every notice of hearing must include the required ADA notification.
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their electronic-service contact information using Form 2.603 when the registered email account 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.
Requirement
Document requirement
Telephonic appearances require a prior court order.
Telephonic appearances are allowed with prior Court order.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Request
A request for a case management or status conference must explain why the conference is necessary.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference
Document Type
Conference Request
The Notice of Hearing must certify a good-faith attempt to resolve the matter under Local Rule 4.
All parties shall abide by Local Rule 4 to try to resolve the matter and certify the good faith attempt to resolve on the Notice of Hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Civil hearings must be requested through the CAD-DivisionRA platform and family hearings through the CAD-DivisionFW platform.
Hearings must be requested using the court's online scheduling platform CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org (for civil cases) or CAD-DivisionFW@pbcgov.org (for family cases).
Electronic exhibits must be submitted 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Electronic exhibits must be submitted 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Hearings lasting 15 minutes or less must be scheduled through the Online Scheduling System in a UMC docket.
Hearings of 15 minutes or less must be scheduled through the Online Scheduling System in a UMC docket.
If granted, the moving party must schedule the requested CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform.
If the court grants the request for a CMC or status conference, the moving party must schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform.
Self-represented litigants excused from email service may submit proposed orders in Word format by email, mail, or hand delivery.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court in WORD format by email to CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org, U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
The court uses Zoom for remote appearances.
The court uses zoom for remote appearances
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All hearing materials must be received by the court no later than 20 business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later 20 business days before the hearing.
All other exhibits must be received 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All other exhibits must be received in 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits and evidence must be sent to the court and parties no later than 20 days before the hearing.
All exhibits and evidence must be sent to the Court and parties no later than 20 days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after the hearing unless the court states otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the Court.
Papers intended for reliance at a scheduled hearing must be filed with the court in advance of the hearing.
All papers upon which the parties intend to rely for their scheduled hearings must be filed with the Court in advance of the hearing.
UMC hearings may be canceled through the Online Scheduling System without court approval.
UMC hearings can be cancelled in OLS without court approval.
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.
Hearing cancellations require immediate notice to the judicial assistant and immediate filing and service of a cancellation notice.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
By opting in, the self-represented litigant agrees that court filings and written communications will be sent to the designated email addresses instead of regular U.S. Mail.
1. By completing this form, I am agreeing to have the Court, the Clerk’s Office, and the opposing party to send copies of court filings and other written communications to me through my designated e-mail address(es) and NOT through regular U.S. Mail.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
The clerk of court must serve a copy of the e-service designation notice on every other party.
Pursuant to Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.080(f) the Clerk of Court shall serve a copy of this Notice on all other parties.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
The self-represented litigant must keep the court, clerk, and opposing parties informed of current mailing and email addresses, and future filings and communications will be served at the designated email addresses.
2. I understand that I must keep the Court, Clerk’s Office and the opposing party or parties notified of my current mailing and e-mail address(es) and that all future orders/judgment, notices or other written communications or pleadings in this lawsuit will be served at the email address(es) provided above.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
A self-represented litigant may opt into e-service by designating up to three email addresses.
I, (full legal name______________________, designate my e-mail address(es) below (up to 3 different email address) to opt in e-service in this case.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the notice and motion must be sent through Online Scheduling at least five business days before the hearing.
Send a courtesy copy of the notice and motion to the Court through On-Line Scheduling at least 5 business days before the hearing.
When hearing materials exceed 20 pages, parties should submit hard copies to the Court.
If the submitted materials exceed a total of 20 pages, the parties should submit hard copies of documents, exhibits, or binders to the Court.
Parties may email exhibits needed for the court's review with a courtesy copy of the motion to the division email address.
In addition, Parties may submit exhibits necessary for the Court to review in anticipation of the hearing along with a courtesy copy of motion to the division email CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org.
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must state the reason and timing of the need, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed ready date with party agreement status.
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties.
Continuance motions must be submitted at least 10 days before the scheduled court date unless exigent circumstances apply.
Motions for continuance must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the scheduled court date for which the continuance is sought, barring exigent circumstances.
Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Continuance motions are disfavored and require good cause.
Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Chambers Communication Rules
Hearings longer than 15 minutes must be scheduled by email with opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant copied.
Hearings of more than 15 minutes must be scheduled by e-mailing the judicial assistant and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is 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.
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the dedicated division email account.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account.
All parties must be copied on judicial-office emails when email is available.
All parties must be included on any and all emails if email is available.
Special-set hearings longer than 15 minutes must be scheduled by contacting the judicial assistant by telephone or email.
Please contact the Judicial Assistant to Judge Alijewicz, at (561) 996-4841 and/or CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org to schedule hearings for ANY division that are special set and longer than 15 minutes.
If no hearing date or time is available on the scheduling platform, the scheduling party should email the judicial assistant and copy the other parties to coordinate scheduling.
If parties are unable to identify a hearing date and time on CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org (for civil cases) or CAD-DivisionFW@pbcgov.org (for family cases) scheduling platform, the scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate scheduling the hearing.
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
The judicial office must be contacted by telephone at the listed number, and text messages are not accepted.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by telephone call to (561) 996-4841. The judicial office does not accept text messages.
The judicial assistant may not provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Each email to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter(e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Emails sent to or from the judicial office may be public records subject to disclosure.
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
The judicial assistant aims to substantively respond to inquiries within one business day.
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day.