Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 77 rules apply across Florida 5 Judicial Circuit (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter). Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Formatting

All 34
  • Format
    DOCX

    Proposed orders must be created in the latest version of Microsoft Word in .docx format.

  • Do not place spaces before the JJJJ, GGGG, or AAAA codes, and use the Right Alignment button to position signature fields.

  • Proposed orders must not contain page breaks or section breaks.

Filing Requirements

All 30
  • Applies to
    Proposed order
    Must include
    proposed order

    Proposed orders must use the specified signature-field code pairs, including DDDD/JJJJ, MMMM/AAAA, RRRR/GGGG, and CCCC.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    Each electronic-signature code must contain all four capital letters and may appear only once per line.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order
    Must include
    case number

    Every proposed order must include the Unified Case Number.

Communication

All 4
  • Non-lawyer personnel may communicate with judges, judicial officers, or other court personnel only about scheduling and other ministerial matters.

  • A lawyer must avoid substantive ex-parte communications with the presiding judge in a pending case.

  • A lawyer must notify opposing counsel of communications with the court or tribunal unless the communication concerns only scheduling or clerical matters.

E-Filing

All 3
  • Applies to
    Cover letter

    A cover letter is optional, but if submitted it must be an Adobe PDF containing relevant details and must be uploaded separately from the proposed order.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    When multiple proposed orders are submitted in one filing, each order must be uploaded separately to the E-Portal.

  • Applies to
    Foreclosure packet

    All foreclosure packet documents must be e-filed with the clerk when hearing time is reserved.

About Judge Benjamin M. Boylston

Benjamin M. Boylston, Circuit Judge, Lake County Circuit Court. Judicial assistant: Tammie Vinson. Office: (352) 253-4402.

- Chambers, Suite 3, North Wing, Second Floor - Courtroom 1C - Lake County Judicial Center P.O. Box 7800 550 W. Main Street Tavares, FL 32778

Common questions about Judge Benjamin M. Boylston's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

Evidentiary hearings must be in person, advance courtesy copies of evidence are unnecessary, and the Court will not review exhibits before evidentiary admission.

View ruleSource: page 1, section SUBMITTING CASE LAW AND PROSPECTIVE EVIDENCE

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

Judge Benjamin M. Boylston's formatting rule includes file format docx. Proposed orders must be submitted only in DOCX format; PDF submissions are not accepted.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROPOSED ORDERS

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. The requesting party must prepare and file a Notice of Hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section SCHEDULING HEARINGS

What must be included with notice of cancellation filings before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. When a Notice of Hearing has already been filed, the party must prepare and file a Notice of Cancellation and notify the other parties.

View ruleSource: page 1, section TO CANCEL A HEARING OR TRIAL

How may parties contact Judge Benjamin M. Boylston's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Benjamin M. Boylston's chambers. The rule lists email tvinson@circuit5.org. A hearing or trial cancellation must be reported by email to the Judicial Assistant with a stated reason.

View ruleSource: page 1, section TO CANCEL A HEARING OR TRIAL

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The proper motion must be filed with the Clerk’s office.

View ruleSource: page 1, section TO CONTINUE A HEARING OR TRIAL

Is electronic filing required before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed orders must be submitted electronically by email and may not be sent as paper orders.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROPOSED ORDERS

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. The Court prefers that case law and hearing memoranda be submitted at least five days before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section SUBMITTING CASE LAW AND PROSPECTIVE EVIDENCE

What rule applies to service by mail before Judge Benjamin M. Boylston?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Details: method: service by mail. For a non-e-service self-represented litigant, service must be made by U.S. mail and certified through a filed notice of service within five days after entry of the order.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROPOSED ORDERS
Complete rules summary for Judge Benjamin M. Boylston

The proper motion must be filed with the Clerk’s office.

The party must either schedule a hearing on the continuance motion or obtain all parties’ consent; approval by the Court is not guaranteed.

After the new date is coordinated, the party must contact the Judicial Assistant to place the continuance on the Court’s calendar.

Email is the preferred means of communicating with Judge Boylston’s office.

Requests for hearings longer than 15 minutes must concern an in-person hearing and be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.

Courtesy copies of evidence need not be supplied before a hearing.

The requesting party must prepare and file a Notice of Hearing.

A notice of hearing must include the docket number for each motion to be heard.

A hearing or trial cancellation must be reported by email to the Judicial Assistant with a stated reason.

When a Notice of Hearing has already been filed, the party must prepare and file a Notice of Cancellation and notify the other parties.

Other parties must be notified when a previously filed hearing is cancelled.

A copy of the Notice of Cancellation must also be emailed to the Judge’s office.

A request to continue a hearing or trial must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.

The requesting party must prepare an amended notice after the continuance date is coordinated.

Proposed orders must be submitted electronically by email and may not be sent as paper orders.

The subject line of a proposed-order email must contain the case style and case number.

Proposed orders must be submitted only in DOCX format; PDF submissions are not accepted.

Proposed orders must not contain e-portal submission codes.

A proposed order must include the underlying motion and a cover letter identifying the related hearing and whether all parties agree to the order.

A proposed order submitted before its hearing must specifically identify the hearing date and time.

Every proposed order must include a certificate of service complying with Florida Rule of General Practice and Procedure 2.516.

The proposed order’s certificate of service must state substantially that a true and correct copy was provided electronically and/or by U.S. mail to the listed parties.

The certificate of service must fit without being split across two pages.

The proposed order caption must identify the Fifth Judicial Circuit and Lake County.

When a self-represented litigant does not participate in e-portal electronic service, the proposed order must provide for U.S. mail service and a filed notice certifying service within five days after the order is entered.

For a non-e-service self-represented litigant, service must be made by U.S. mail and certified through a filed notice of service within five days after entry of the order.

Proposed orders must be submitted to JudgeBoylstonProposedOrders@circuit5.org.

Written communications to Judge Boylston’s office should be submitted by email.

An email to Judge Boylston’s office should identify the parties and case number in its subject line.

Every other party, or that party’s attorney if represented, must be copied on all correspondence to the Court.

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