Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- For Any Evidentiary Proceeding
- No Later Than Two Days Before Any Evidentiary Proceeding
Exhibits
- For Remote Hearings
Adjournments
- Submit a continuance request at least five days before the scheduled court date.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Document Format Requirements7 rules
A single, searchable PDF document.
- File type
Formatting
- •Provide a single, searchable PDF document
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
Formatting
- •Submit in Word format
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant A.”
All exhibits should be combined into a single, searchable PDF document and emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
- File type
Please do not staple exhibits.
Formatting
- •Do not staple exhibits
Electronic evidence such as video or audio recordings should be put on a thumb drive.
These items should be combined into one searchable PDF document and emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
- File type
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Each proposed order must include a cover letter certifying all parties’ agreement or identifying any disagreement.
Court's wording
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.
Trial binders are no longer required, however, you must bring hard copies of all exhibits with you to the hearing.
For in-person hearings, hard copes of all exhibits must be brought with you to the hearing.
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.
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).
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
The notice should include all matters to be heard by the Court, the length of time for the hearing, the location of the hearing, and whether the hearing is in-person or Zoom.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
File all exhibits with the Clerk’s Office for remote hearings.
For remote hearings, all exhibits must be filed with the Clerk’s Office and a courtesy copy sent to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submit all proposed orders and final judgments through the E-Filing Portal.
All proposed Orders and Final Judgements must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
File and serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
File and docket a motion before submitting a request for hearing time.
Motions must be filed and docketed before submitting a request for hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit proposed orders within 10 days after a hearing unless the Court directs otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing unless directed otherwise by the Court.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Immediately file and serve a cancellation notice on opposing counsel, any self-represented litigant, and any court reporter secured for the hearing.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel, any self-represented litigant, and the court reporter, if one was secured for the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Court must receive hearing materials, exhibits, and case law at least two business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive all materials, exhibits, and caselaw for the hearing no later than two business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All exhibits should be submitted to the Court no less than two business days prior to the hearing.
All exhibits should be submitted to the Court no less than two business days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Serve the cancellation notice on opposing counsel, any self-represented litigant, and any court reporter secured for the hearing.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel, any self-represented litigant, and the court reporter, if one was secured for the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
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. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Deliver courtesy copies to the Court at least two days before an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court no later than two days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
For remote hearings, file all exhibits with the Clerk’s Office and send a courtesy copy to the Court’s judicial assistant.
For remote hearings, all exhibits must be filed with the Clerk’s Office and a courtesy copy sent to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Submit courtesy copies of case law, exhibits, or other documents to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law, exhibits, or other documents must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Trial binders are no longer required.
Trial binder are no longer required.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Any party may request a status conference when the case requires one.
Any party may request a status conference when a case requires.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Any party may request a case management conference when the case requires one.
Any party may request a case management conference (CMC) when a case requires.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
The court strongly encourages early case management conferences in complex, multiparty, or intervention-benefiting cases.
The court strongly encourages the early use of CMC in more complex cases, multiple-party litigation, or any case that might benefit from court intervention.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only for good cause.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit a continuance request at least five days before the scheduled court date.
A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Coordinate the hearing with opposing counsel and/or the self-represented litigant before submitting the hearing request.
You must coordinate the hearing with opposing counsel and/or pro se litigant prior to submitting your request.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All parties must be available for the emergency hearing unless exigent circumstances prevent it.
All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Copy opposing counsel on all scheduling emails.
Opposing counsel must be copied on all email(s).
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Communications concerning a pending or impending proceeding must comply with Canon 3’s restrictions on ex parte and other communications outside the parties’ presence, 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 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Schedule hearings of 5, 15, 30, or 60 minutes through OnceHub.
Hearing times for 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes must be scheduled via OnceHub.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Include all attorneys and self-represented parties in the email requesting available final-hearing dates.
All attorneys/pro se parties must be included in the email.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the specified address with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to Catia.Heinz@flcourts1.gov. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Send courtesy copies by email to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Via email to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Notify the judicial assistant immediately to cancel a hearing.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Copy all parties on emails to the judicial office unless the 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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Only attorneys may use the scheduling feature; unrepresented litigants may not.
This scheduling feature is for attorneys only, not unrepresented litigants.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Contact the Court’s Judicial Assistant for available dates when a case is ready for a final hearing.
When a case is ready for a final hearing, please contact the Court’s Judicial Assistant for available dates.
Page 1 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Five-minute time slots should be used for non-evidentiary motions that are either uncontested or that can be heard within a short time span such as Motions to Withdraw.
Five-minute time slots should be used for non-evidentiary motions that are either uncontested or that can be heard within a short time span such as Motions to Withdraw.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
These items should be combined into one searchable PDF document and emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
These items should be combined into one searchable PDF document and emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All exhibits should be combined into a single, searchable PDF document and emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
All exhibits should be combined into a single, searchable PDF document and emailed to the Court’s judicial assistant.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
If the court determines an emergency exists, it will schedule the hearing unilaterally.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Parties may contact the judicial office only in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Schedule hearings longer than one hour directly with the Court by emailing Catia Heinz.
Hearings more than one hour should be scheduled directly with the Court by emailing Catia Heinz at Catia.Heinz@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Contact Court Administration by phone or email to request an ADA accommodation.
If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact Court Administration at (850) 623-3159 or SRC-CourtAdministration@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the Zoom meeting ID.
Zoom Meeting ID#: Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the Zoom meeting ID#.
Page 1 | C. Remote Appearance
Contact Court Administration by phone or email if an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial.
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact Court Administration at (850) 623-3159 or SRC-CourtAdministration@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | K. Other Division Procedures
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
For hearings of one hour or less, parties may appear in person or remotely.
For hearings lasting an hour or less, the Court permits parties to appear either in person or remotely, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530.
Page 1 | C. Remote Appearance
The moving party may schedule a case management or status conference through the online scheduling platform.
The moving party may schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences