Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Exhibits
- Within a Reasonable Period Before Evidentiary Hearing
Courtesy copies
- No Later Than Three Business Days Before Any Hearing or Trial
Exhibits
Adjournments
- Discovery must be completed by the date agreed by counsel unless the court orders otherwise for good cause.
- A continuance request requires immediate notice to the Court, and failure to provide notice may result in significant monetary sanctions.
- A continuance motion must specify the need and when its basis became known to the movant, and state whether the motion is opposed.
- +1 more
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements16 rules
Notebooks should be no more than 300 pages per notebook (documents can be two sided).
All parties must agree to appear via Zoom, no hybrid hearings will be allowed.
If a witness appears remotely, the party calling the witness must ensure the witness has a functioning camera and microphone and has tested the internet connection before the hearing.
Your microphone must be muted until instructed otherwise by the court.
Your camera must be active when joining the proceeding and kept on until instructed otherwise by the court.
A private location that is quiet and free from distractions is required. Under no circumstances will a participant be permitted to appear remotely while driving.
Any thumb drive shall be free of any malware and shall contain only documents and exhibits relevant to the hearing at which they are being presented.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format through the e-filing system unless otherwise instructed.
- File type
- Word
All exhibits shall be marked by the party serving same (in accordance with this itemized list) with identification numbers or letters.
Those appearing via Zoom should ensure that they are familiar with the platform and shall sign in early to ensure timely appearance.
Any thumb drive provided to the court should be free of any documents and exhibits other than are to be submitted for consideration by the court. Please make sure that only “clean” thumb drives are used to provide these documents to the court.
Please ensure that your username reflects your full name and case number in lieu of a nickname or screenname.
If submitting via thumb drive to Judge Lewis, it should be clearly marked for Judge Lewis and will not be submitted to the clerk or returned after the hearing.
A thumb drive with all documents should be clearly labelled to coincide with their content. e.g., Exhibit 1 – Marriage License.
D ring notebooks are preferred but not required.
Exhibits which are voluminous may be submitted in a thumb drive which contain all documents and exhibits in PDF format.
- File type
Document Filing Requirements42 rules
An index to the exhibits shall be furnished to the Clerk of Court immediately prior to trial
Not less than ten (10) days prior to the pre-trial conference scheduled for _________________, all counsel for the parties, and each unrepresented party shall have met and conferred and SHALL FILE a Pre-trial Stipulation in the form provided by the Court.
The attorneys shall certify they are filing the stipulation in good faith and understand THE COURT WILL NOT ENTERTAIN ANY FURTHER MOTIONS PRIOR TO JURY SELECTION IMPACTING JURY SELECTION OR ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE OR TESTIMONY.
a list of all fact witnesses expected to be called to testify in person or by deposition at the trial of this cause, as well as any answers to written interrogatories which counsel desire to introduce in evidence, denoting any expert witness and the area of expertise.
an itemized list of all exhibits intended to be offered in evidence at the trial of this cause, with a copy of each such exhibit attached thereto.
The pretrial stipulation must concisely state the Plaintiff’s claims and Defendant’s defenses and list all agreed facts the jury need not decide.
Court's wording
The Pre-trial stipulation shall include a short, concise statement of the claims made by the Plaintiff and the defense(s) made by the Defendant. Additionally, the Pre-Trial Stipulation shall include a list of all facts to which all the parties have agreed and which, therefore, the jury will not be asked to decide.
A party offering transcript or recorded testimony must identify the pages and lines to opposing counsel and the Court; the opposing party must identify objections and their bases, designate any other portions it offers, and state objections to those portions specifically.
Court's wording
Each party seeking to offer testimony from a transcript or recording shall advise opposing counsel and the Court of the pages and lines of the testimony being so offered. The non-moving party shall note any objections to the testimony to be offered and the basis for the objection (i.e., lack of foundation, relevance, hearsay, speculation, etc.). The non-moving party will indicate any OTHER PORTIONS of the witness’s transcript or recorded testimony it intends to offer with opposing counsel noting any objections with specificity.
If a hearing is required, then a Notice of Hearing specifying the remaining motions to be heard shall be filed and forwarded to the Court’s J.A.
stating the motion(s) to be heard.
Not less than ten (10) days prior to that date, Attorneys shall have met and agreed to the Exhibit lists of each party, agreed to a complete set of jury instructions to be read to the jury, as well as to a proposed verdict form.
its list of all fact witnesses expected to be called to testify in person or by deposition at the trial of this cause, as well as any answers to written interrogatories which counsel seeks to introduce into evidence at trial, denoting any expert witness and the area of expertise.
EACH MOTION FOR HEARING EXCEPT AS EXEMPTED FROM RULE 1.202 MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION,
At the time of filing the motion for summary judgment, the moving party must file its supporting factual position s provided in subdivision (1) of the rule.
Non-jury trials over three hours must schedule a CMC to set the trial.
All proposed orders should be e-filed through the proposed order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal with a cover letter under separate cover advising that all parties agree to the contents/language of the proposed order.
Case Management Conferences (CMCs) are required to get a firm trial date.
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.
Mediation is required unless otherwise waived by the Court by motion and order.
An attorney withdrawing from a case and leaving a party unrepresented must help the former client register an email address, provide the applicable instructions, and warn about the risk of missed filings if the address is not kept current.
Court's wording
When an attorney is permitted to withdraw leaving a party unrepresented, the attorney shall assist the former client with instructions on how to register their email address and provide a link to any unrepresented to these directions and operating procedures. The withdrawing attorney shall also warn their former client that failure to register their email address and keep it current may result in them not receiving court filings in their case.
The proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter with a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
A hearing will not be set without the required certificate.
Hearing notices must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
The non-moving party’s summary-judgment response must include its supporting factual position under subdivision (1).
Court's wording
The non-moving party has forty (40) days after service of the motion for summary judgment in which to file a response that includes the non-moving party’s supporting factual position as provided in subdivision (1) in the rule.
The proposed orders must include the names and email addresses of all parties who will need to receive e-service of same.
A party will file a Notice for Trial or Motion for Case Management Conference.
Other than as provided in Fla.R.Civ.P. 1.160, 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.
All matters to be considered by the Court should be in the form of a motion or pleading, filed and served on all parties.
Notice of Hearings must include the date, time, type of hearing, document name and sequence number (e.g., DN 367,etc.) and location (in-person at the courthouse or Zoom teleconference).
The pre-trial stipulation must summarize the action, parties, and each party’s contentions in a form that apprises the jury of the claims to be tried.
Court's wording
A concise factual statement of the nature of the action, identity of the parties as they relate to the action, and a brief general statement of each party's case or contention.Thestatementshallbe in such form andcontain suchnecessary information for the Court to read to and apprise the jury of the claims to be tried, including any Counter-Claims, Cross-Claims, or Third-Party Claims:
A complete list of witnesses, including anticipated impeachment and rebuttal witnesses, specifying the name, address, and telephone number of each from whom testimony may be presented at trial:
A statement regarding objections to any proposed jury instructions and the verdictform:
A statement reflecting objections to specific portions of depositions, testimony, or videoexhibits which may beofferedin evidence attrial:
Aconcisestatementofthose issues orfactswhich remaintobe litigated:
A concise statement of those facts which are admitted and will require noproof at trial:
Alistofanyundisposed matters tobe heardatthe Pre-Trial Conference:
A list of all exhibits which may be offered in evidence at trial, together with a statement of objections ifany:
Include
- •Exhibit list
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing has been served via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to ___ALL OPPOSING COUNSEL__, Defuniak Springs, Florida via e-mail to: ____EMAIL ADDRESSES____________;
Include
- •Certificate of service
If none of the parties has any further motion(s) to be heard before jury selection, counsel and any unrepresented party may file a stipulation CERTIFYING there are no further hearings required before jury selection and certifying the parties are ready for jury selection to begin.
Likewise, any filing in opposition to a motion for summary judgment should contain citations to all portions of the record which the non-moving party asserts support the existence of a genuine issue of material fact so as to preclude granting of the motion for summary judgment.
Remediation may be required if a case has been mediated more than one year prior to trial.
As to discovery dispute motions in particular, the Court may sua sponte deny motions that fail to include an appropriate and complete Certificate of Compliance.
- Document
- Discovery dispute motion
Include
- •Local rule certificate
Each motion should include a memorandum of law explaining the elements of the cause of action for which summary judgment is being sought along with a memo of law pertaining to the basis for the court granting the motion. At minimum, citations to controlling opinions supporting the motion should be included pending. This should be filed with the motion by the moving party.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders should be e-filed through the Portal’s proposed-order section with a separate cover letter stating that all parties agree to the order’s contents and language.
All proposed orders should be e-filed through the proposed order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal with a cover letter under separate cover advising that all parties agree to the contents/language of the proposed order.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
A request to appear by Zoom for a hearing over one hour must be accompanied by an e-filed motion and proposed order.
A motion and proposed order must be e-filed for requests to appear via Zoom for hearings over one hour.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If the parties agree on a motion, the moving party must submit a proposed order in Microsoft Word format through the e-filing system.
If the parties agree on a Motion, the moving party shall submit a proposed order in Microsoft Word format through the e-filing system.
Page 1 | J. Forms
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The pretrial stipulation must be filed at least 10 days before the pretrial conference.
Not less than ten (10) days prior to the pre-trial conference scheduled for _________________, all counsel for the parties, and each unrepresented party shall have met and conferred and SHALL FILE a Pre-trial Stipulation in the form provided by the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 8. PRETRIAL STIPULATION
The agreed exhibit lists, jury instructions, and proposed verdict form must be filed at least 10 days before the pretrial conference.
THESE AGREED DOCUMENTS SHALL BE FILED NOT LESS THAN TEN (10) DAYS BEFORE the Pre-trial Conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 3. PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
If a hearing is required, a notice identifying the remaining motions must be filed and forwarded to the Court’s judicial assistant at least 10 days before the pretrial conference.
If a hearing is required, then a Notice of Hearing specifying the remaining motions to be heard shall be filed and forwarded to the Court’s J.A. not less than ten (10) days prior to the pre-trial conference set on __________________.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 8. PRETRIAL STIPULATION
Dispositive motions must be filed by the date agreed to by the attorneys.
All dispositive motions will be filed by ________________ (DATE TO BE AGREED TO BY ATTORNEYS)
Civil cases
Page 1 | 12. DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS
A party with a previously unheard motion or objection must file a notice of hearing by close of business on the stated Wednesday, identifying the matters to be heard.
Although this is a mandatory conference, any party having a motion or objection which has not been previously heard shall file a notice of hearing no later than close of business on ______________ (Wednesday) stating the motion(s) to be heard.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 7. FINAL MANDATORY PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
The Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after the hearing is reserved.
The Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit proposed orders within the time set by a separate order or stated at the hearing, and never later than 30 days.
Propose orders must be submitted within the time provided by the Court in a separate order or verbally at the hearing. In no event should the time for submission exceed thirty (30) days.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All summary-judgment support and opposition filings must be filed at least 10 days before the noticed hearing.
All filings in support or in opposition to a motion for summary judgment must be filed not less than ten (10) days prior to a notice hearing on the motion.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
An added motion must be filed at least five days before the hearing to be heard.
No added motions will be heard that are not filed at least 5 days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The non-moving party must file a response containing its supporting factual position within 40 days after service of the summary-judgment motion.
The non-moving party has forty (40) days after service of the motion for summary judgment in which to file a response that includes the non-moving party’s supporting factual position as provided in subdivision (1) in the rule.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A summary-judgment hearing may not be set earlier than 10 days after the response-filing deadline.
No hearing on a motion for summary judgment shall be heard unless set for hearing a date which is not less than 10 days after the deadline for filing a response to the motion for summary judgment.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Any memorandum and/or case law that parties wish for the judge to consider prior to a hearing should be emailed or e-filed at least three business days before the hearing.
Any memorandum and/or case law that parties wish for the judge to consider prior to a hearing should be emailed or e-filed at least three business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Memoranda or case law for the judge to consider before a hearing should be submitted in binders at least three business days before the hearing.
Any memoranda and/or case law that parties wish for the judge to consider prior to a hearing should be submitted in binders at least three business days before the hearing
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If said documents are voluminous, please submit binders three business days before the hearing.
If said documents are voluminous, please submit binders three business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Objections and responses should be filed no later than two days before the hearing.
All objections and/or responses should be filed no later than two days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
When a hearing is cancelled because all remaining issues have settled, the parties should submit an agreed proposed stipulated dismissal order no more than 30 days after settlement.
Additionally, in the event the cancellation is due to a complete settlement of all remaining issues, a proposed, stipulated order of dismissal in a form agreed to by the parties should be submitted not more than thirty days after settlement is reached.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
If no written objection to a witness designated as an Expert is served on the counsel or any unrepresented party offering the witnesses within twenty (20) days after such written disclosure, then no further objection as to the expert’s qualifications in the area denoted shall be allowed, except that all objections as to relevancy, materiality or reasonableness shall be reserved until trial.
If no written objection to a witness designated as an Expert is served on the counsel or any unrepresented party offering the witnesses within twenty (20) days after such written disclosure, then no further objection as to the expert’s qualifications in the area denoted shall be allowed, except that all objections as to relevancy, materiality or reasonableness shall be reserved until trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 6. DEFENDANT’S WITNESS DISCLOSURE AND DAUBERT OBJECTIONS
At the final pretrial conference, counsel and unrepresented parties must serve a notice of hearing for any last-minute matters not previously addressed.
At the final pre-trial conference on ______________________, commencing at (TBD) CDT, each counsel and each unrepresented party shall serve on opposing counsel and each unrepresented party and the Court a NOTICE OF HEARING for any last-minute matters which were not addressed at the pre-trial conference on ______________________.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 7. FINAL MANDATORY PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
By the stated date, the Defendant must serve the opposing side, unrepresented parties, and the Court with its trial fact-witness list, any interrogatory answers it seeks to introduce, and the identity and expertise of any expert witness.
On or before________________, 2026, the Defendant shall serve on opposing counsel, unrepresented parties, and the court a list of all fact witnesses expected to be called to testify in person or by deposition at the trial of this cause, as well as any answers to written interrogatories which counsel desire to introduce in evidence, denoting any expert witness and the area of expertise.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 6. DEFENDANT’S WITNESS DISCLOSURE AND DAUBERT OBJECTIONS
By the date agreed by counsel, each party must serve the opposing side, unrepresented parties, and the Court with an itemized list of trial exhibits and a copy of each exhibit.
On or before ____________, 2026, (TO BE AGREED BY COUNSEL) EACH PARTY shall serve on opposing counsel and each unrepresented party and the court an itemized list of all exhibits intended to be offered in evidence at the trial of this cause, with a copy of each such exhibit attached thereto.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 4. TRIAL EXHIBIT LIST DISCLOSURE
A written objection to the Plaintiff’s designated expert’s qualifications must be served within 30 days after disclosure or further qualification objections are barred.
If no written objection to a witness designated as an Expert is served on the counsel or any unrepresented party offering the witnesses within THIRTY (30) days after such written disclosure, then no further objection as to the expert’s qualifications in the area denoted shall be allowed.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 5. PLAINTIFF’S WITNESS DISCLOSURE AND DAUBERT OBJECTIONS
By the stated date, the Plaintiff must serve the opposing side, unrepresented parties, and the Court with its trial fact-witness list, any interrogatory answers it seeks to introduce, and the identity and expertise of any expert witness.
On or before ________________, 2026, the Plaintiff shall serve on opposing counsel and each unrepresented party and the Court its list of all fact witnesses expected to be called to testify in person or by deposition at the trial of this cause, as well as any answers to written interrogatories which counsel seeks to introduce into evidence at trial, denoting any expert witness and the area of expertise.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 5. PLAINTIFF’S WITNESS DISCLOSURE AND DAUBERT OBJECTIONS
A written objection to an exhibit must be served within 20 days after service of the exhibit disclosure to preserve objections to authenticity or genuineness; other specified objections are reserved for trial.
If no written objection is served on the counsel/party offering the exhibit within twenty (20) days after such service, then no further objection as to authenticity or genuineness shall be made, except that all objections as to relevancy, materiality or reasonableness shall be reserved until trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 4. TRIAL EXHIBIT LIST DISCLOSURE
The Notice of Hearing must be served immediately after the hearing is reserved.
The Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All matters to be considered by the Court should be in the form of a motion or pleading, filed and served on all parties.
All matters to be considered by the Court should be in the form of a motion or pleading, filed and served on all parties.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders and update registered service contact information on Form 2.603 whenever it changes.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address to receive signed orders electronically. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and for all self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 anytime there is a change in the email address that has been registered for electronic service.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Notice of Cancellation must be served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
The Notice of Cancellation must be served upon opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Submit courtesy copies of case law and exhibits to the Court a reasonable time before an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law and exhibits must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding within a reasonable period of time before such hearing.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must reach the Court no later than three business days before any hearing or trial, unless the Court specifies otherwise.
Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court no later than three (3) business days before any hearing or trial. Unless otherwise specified by the court.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
For voluminous exhibits, binders are strongly encouraged and should be delivered by hand or mail to the judge’s office.
For voluminous exhibits, binders are strongly encouraged and should be submitted via hand delivery or mail to the judge’s office.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Dispositive motions must be set for hearing before the pretrial conference on a date cleared with the Court’s judicial assistant and opposing counsel.
All dispositive motions will be filed by ________________ (DATE TO BE AGREED TO BY ATTORNEYS) and set for hearing before the Court on a date cleared with the Court’s Judicial Assistant and opposing counsel on a date prior to the pretrial conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 12. DISPOSITIVE MOTIONS
Motions in limine must be heard no later than the pretrial conference.
Motions in limine will be heard at or before the pretrial conference.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 13. MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Counsel must meet and confer under Rule 1.202 before setting hearings on motions.
ALL COUNSEL ARE DIRECTED FOLLOW THE PROVISIONS OF Fla.R.Civ.P. Rule 1.202 “Conferral Prior to Filing Motions” TO MEET AND CONFER PRIOR TO SETTING HEARINGS.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 3. PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
Hearings on the Plaintiff’s Daubert-based expert-qualification objections must be set at least 45 days before the pretrial conference.
Objections to Expert witness qualifications based upon Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993) SHALL BE SET TO BE HEARD NOT LESS THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS BEFORE THE PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 5. PLAINTIFF’S WITNESS DISCLOSURE AND DAUBERT OBJECTIONS
Hearings on the Defendant’s Daubert-based expert-qualification objections must be set at least 30 days before the pretrial conference.
Objections to Expert witness qualifications based upon Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579,113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993) SHALL BE SET FOR HEARING NOT LESS THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS BEFORE THE PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 6. DEFENDANT’S WITNESS DISCLOSURE AND DAUBERT OBJECTIONS
Hearings on protective-order, compel, summary-judgment, Daubert, and other matters requiring a hearing must be set before the pretrial conference, with the time cleared with all parties and the Court.
The Parties shall, however, set any other matters (including, but not limited to, motions for protective order, motions to compel, motions for summary judgment, and Daubert motions) for which a hearing is required on a date prior to PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE DATE, WHERE SUCH HEARING TIME IS SET AND CLEARED WITH ALL PARTIES AND THE COURT.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 3. PRETRIAL CONFERENCE
A conference requires a substantive, good-faith in-person or telephone conversation aimed at resolving the motion without court action; merely attempting to confer or exchanging written ultimatums is insufficient.
The term "confer" requires a substantive conversation, in person or by telephone, in a good faith effort to resolve the motion without court action and does not envision a written exchange of ultimatums. Counsel who merely attempt to confer have not conferred.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Additional motions may be added to a hearing only if opposing counsel or parties do not object and adequate additional time is available.
Adding additional motions is not possible unless there are no objections by opposing counsel/parties to doing so and adequate additional time is available.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Court strongly encourages parties to meet and confer when possible, in addition to complying with Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.202.
In addition to complying with the terms of Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.202, the Court strongly encourages the parties to meet and confer when possible.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance request requires immediate notice to the Court, and failure to provide notice may result in significant monetary sanctions.
If the case settles for any reason or a continuance is requested by any person, party or counsel, the failure to notify this court immediately may result in the imposition of significant monetary sanctions, as there are other cases set the same week and adjustments will need to be made affecting the scheduling of the other cases.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 10. SETTLEMENT
Discovery must be completed by the date agreed by counsel unless the court orders otherwise for good cause.
All discovery shall be completed no later than _________, 2026, (TO BE AGREED BY COUNSEL) except upon order of the court for good cause shown.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. DISCOVERY CUTOFF
A continuance motion must specify the need and when its basis became known to the movant, and state whether the motion is opposed.
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 and (2) whether the motion is opposed.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party unless good cause is shown.
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).
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
The Court must be notified immediately if the case settles or anyone requests a continuance; failure to notify may result in significant monetary sanctions.
If the case settles for any reason or a continuance is requested by any person, party or counsel, the failure to notify this court immediately may result in the imposition of significant monetary sanctions, as there are other cases set the same week and adjustments will need to be made affecting the scheduling of the other cases.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 10. SETTLEMENT
The parties must notify the Court if they need additional time to conclude the settlement term.
The parties must advise the court if additional time is required to conclude the settlement term.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Coordinate a Case Management Conference date by emailing the judicial assistant at the specified address.
Contact the judicial assistant via email at anna.lee@flcourts1.gov to coordinate a CMC date.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Use email to schedule hearings, but submit matters for court consideration as filed and served motions or pleadings; do not argue substantive issues by email or include the judicial assistant in party conferrals.
Email shall be utilized for scheduling hearings. All matters to be considered by the Court should be in the form of a motion or pleading, filed and served on all parties. Attempts to argue substantive issues through email will not be tolerated. Moreover, the judicial assistant shall not be included in conferrals between the parties regarding availability or otherwise discussing the case.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the specified address, copy opposing counsel and self-represented litigants, and include the case number and case name in the subject line.
Method of Communication: All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email to anna.lee@flcourts1.gov with copy to all opposing counsel and each self-represented litigant. The subject line of any email must contain the case number and case name (e.g., 2024 CA 001234 – Doe v. Doe).
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Email proposed orders concerning a hearing that counsel do not agree on to the judicial assistant in Microsoft Word format.
All proposed orders relating to a hearing that counsel are NOT in agreement should be emailed to the judicial assistant at anna.lee@flcourts1.gov in Microsoft Word format.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Cancel a hearing by immediately emailing the judicial assistant and attaching a courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately via email with a courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation attached.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If a hearing is scheduled within 24 hours, cancellation also requires a phone call to the judicial assistant.
If the hearing is scheduled to occur within 24 hours, a phone call to the judicial assistant at 850-892-5425 is also required.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If no objection is filed to the Notice of Readiness for Trial, the moving party must schedule a Case Management Conference or status conference using the hearing instructions.
If no objection is filed to the Notice of Readiness for Trial, the moving party must schedule the CMC or status conference through the hearing instructions below.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
When requesting Case Management Conference dates, state whether the conference is to schedule a trial date and whether the trial is jury or non-jury.
When requesting dates for a Case Management Conference, please advise if it is to schedule a trial date and if the trial is jury or non-jury.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
After obtaining available dates, coordinate a mutually workable date with opposing counsel and email the judicial assistant; the hearing is not set until the assistant confirms the slot.
After obtaining available dates, coordinate with opposing counsel to select dates that work for all parties. Once the parties have agreed on the potential date(s), please inform the judicial assistant via email, and she will reply to confirm that the time slot is still available, and the hearing is being set. The hearing is not considered set until you receive confirmation from the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Hearing-scheduling emails must include opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant must be included in the email.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If the Court determines an emergency exists, it may schedule a hearing unilaterally, and all parties must make themselves available absent exigent circumstances.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing may be scheduled unilaterally by the court, but an attempt will be made to accommodate schedules. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Page 1 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Hearings must be scheduled by email.
All hearings must be scheduled by email, please note the following:
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Communications concerning pending or impending proceedings must not be ex parte unless authorized by law, and emails to the judicial office must copy all parties 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 other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law. All parties must be copied on any email directed to the judicial office, unless authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Coordinate any additional motion with the judicial assistant and other counsel or parties before adding it to an existing hearing; the Court will not hear motions that were not properly scheduled and noticed.
No additional motions should be added to the existing hearing time without first coordinating with the judicial assistant and other counsel/parties. The Court will not hear motions that have not been properly scheduled and noticed.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing-scheduling email must identify the case number, party names, hearing and motions to be set with CCIS document number and filing date, requested hearing length sufficient for both sides, and any time sensitivity due to an upcoming trial.
Your email must include the following: Case Number Party Names Type of Hearing (Motion(s) to be set) (Include CCIS document number and date filed) Length requested for hearing (make certain you request enough time for both sides to be heard) Please notate in your email if this hearing is time sensitive due to an upcoming trial date.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Counsel and unrepresented parties must notify the Court of any special courtroom aids needed to present evidence.
each counsel and each unrepresented party shall notify the court of any requests for special courtroom aids needed in the presentation of evidence.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 4. TRIAL EXHIBIT LIST DISCLOSURE
Hearing dates will not be provided until the filed motion is showing in the case.
Dates will not be given until the filed motion is “showing” in the case.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Counsel should check with the Clerk of Court for Walton County for directions on filing and use of exhibits at hearings or trial.
Counsel should check with the Clerk of Court for Walton County for directions on filing and use of exhibits at hearings or trial.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A hearing date is not protected or final until the judge’s office is notified that the date has been coordinated.
Dates will not be protected/final until the judge’s office is notified that the hearing date has been coordinated.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Do not send repetitive hearing-scheduling requests; emails are answered in received order as time permits.
Please do not make repetitive requests. Emails are answered in the order they are received as time allows.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Counsel must respond promptly to inquiries and communications from opposing counsel.
Counsel shall respond promptly to inquiries and communications from opposing counsel.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Parties may contact the judicial office only under the stated procedures, and unsolicited non-party communications will not be considered.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Do not send proposed orders to the Judge’s office before a hearing.
Please do not send proposed orders to the Judge's office prior to a hearing.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
The judicial assistant cannot provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office