First Judicial Circuit of Florida, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Trial binders are not required, but hard copies of all exhibits must be brought to the hearing.

Trial binders are no longer required, however, you must bring hard copies of all exhibits with you to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Bring hard copies of all exhibits to in-person hearings.

For in-person hearings, hard copes of all exhibits must be brought with you to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency hearing motion

A party seeking an emergency hearing based on a factual basis must file a detailed motion identifying the issues, why an emergency hearing 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: (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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

Unless good cause is shown, the party requesting a continuance must sign the 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).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.

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

Motion

Request permission to use communication technology for an appearance by motion.

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

The motion must contain a certificate stating that the movant conferred with opposing counsel and that counsel could not agree on resolving the motion.

Before filing any motion, except as noted in paragraph c, the moving party shall confer with counsel for the opposing party in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised by the motion, and the motion shall contain a statement certifying that the moving party has conferred with opposing counsel and that counsel have been unable to agree on the resolution of the motion (the “Certificate”).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

The certificate must state the conference date, participating attorneys, and specific results; repeated failure or refusal to confer must be described specifically.

b. The certificate shall set forth the date of the conference, the names of the participating attorneys, and the specific results achieved. It shall be the responsibility of counsel for the movant to arrange for the conference. Counsel are expected to respond promptly to inquiries and communication from opposing counsel. Repeated failure or refusal of a party or attorney to so confer should be set out with specificity in the certificate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

For people unable to appear by video, the Notice should include the Zoom call-in number and Meeting ID.

Please also include the ZOOM call in number, 312-626-6799, along with the Meeting ID# for individuals with no ability to appear via video.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Every proposed order must include the specified pro se service paragraph as its final paragraph before “DONE and ORDERED.”

All proposed orders must include as the last paragraph (before DONE and ORDERED) the following statement: In cases wherein one party is unrepresented (pro se), it is the responsibility of the sole attorney in the case to serve within five business days this [order or judgment [upon any pro se party who does not have access to and is not a registered user of the Florida Court e-Filing Portal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for readiness for trial

File a Notice for Readiness for Trial once the case is ready to be set for a jury or judge trial.

Please file a Notice for Readiness for Trial Cases once the case is ready to be set for a Jury/Judge trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Every Notice of Hearing must identify the DIN number and the title of the motion or motions.

All Notice of Hearings must include the DIN # along with the title of the Motion(s).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Notices for court proceedings in a public facility must include the prescribed statement in bold 14-point Times New Roman or Courier.

All notices of court proceedings to be held in a public facility must contain the statement below in bold face, 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of cancellation

Only the party who set a hearing may cancel it; that party must file written cancellation notice and notify the Court and all participants, including any pro se party and secured court reporter.

Only the party who set the hearing may cancel it, and it is the party’s responsibility to file a written notice of cancellation of the hearing and to notify the Court and all participants of the cancellation, including any pro se party, and court reporter if one was secured.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not include a certificate of service for the Judicial Assistant to complete.

Do not include a certificate of service to be completed by the judicial assistant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The prescribed statement requires every Notice of Hearing to identify the DIN number and the title of all items noticed.

***ALL NOTICE OF HEARINGS MUST INCLUDE THE DIN # AS WELL AS THE TITLE OF ALL ITEMS BEING NOTICED FOR THAT HEARING***

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

For a motion to compel based on no responses, email the Judge’s Assistant a proposed order compelling a response within 30 days and reserving jurisdiction to award attorney fees if applicable.

Please e-mail the Judge’s Assistant a proposed order compelling a response within thirty (30) days and reserving jurisdiction to award attorney fees if applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The Notice must include the provided Zoom Meeting ID.

You are required to include the provided ZOOM Meeting ID# in the Notice.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must include “DONE AND ORDERED” with sufficient space below for the Judge’s e-signature.

Please write “DONE AND ORDERED” with sufficient space below for the Judge’s e-signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

In civil and family law cases, a Zoom request must be made in writing by motion with a proposed order at least five days before the hearing.

Arequest to appear by Zoom must be made in writing via a motion and a proposed order at least five (5) days in advance of the hearing date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

When a proposed order applies to multiple case numbers, e-file a separate proposed order for each case number.

If a proposed Order applies to multiple case numbers, separate proposed Orders must be e-filed for each case number.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of court proceeding

All notices of court proceedings must include the specified ADA notice in Times New Roman or Courier, 14-point bold font.

Administrative Order 2015-32 requires that all notices of court proceedings include the following ADA notice (in Times New Roman or Courier, 14-point bold font): If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact: Court Administration, ADA Liaison, Escambia County, 190 Governmental Center, 5th Floor, Pensacola, FL 32502, Phone (850) 595-4400, Fax (850) 595-0360,ADA.Walton@flcourts1.gov.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

All Notices 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 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders must list the names and email addresses of all parties who need to receive the Court’s order by e-service.

Proposed Orders must include the names AND e-mail addresses of all parties who need to receive e-service of the Court’s Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibits

Label exhibits before offering them at the proceeding.

Format: Exhibits must be labeled prior to offering them as an exhibit.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing involving a remote appearance must list the Judge’s Zoom credentials.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Judge’s Zoom credentials.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to continue

Every motion to continue must indicate whether opposing counsel objects.

All motions to continue must indicate whether opposing counsel objects to the continuance.

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Label each submitted proposed order with the case name and order title.

Please label the proposed Order being submitted with the case name and title of the Order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Form 2.603

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Notice of Hearing must state the hearing date, time, and type.

The Notice of Hearing shall advise the Court and all parties of the date, time, and type of hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not add a date to a proposed order because the date is autogenerated.

Please do not add a date as it is auto generated.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Every proposed order must include the specified paragraph about the sole attorney serving an order or judgment on certain unrepresented parties.

All proposed orders must include the last paragraph (before DONE and ORDERED) the following statement: In cases wherein one party is unrepresented (pro se), it is the responsibility of the sole attorney in the case to serve within five business days this [order or judgment [upon any pro se party who does not have access to and is not a registered user of the Florida Court e-Filing Portal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Every proposed order must include the prescribed pro se service statement as its last paragraph before “DONE and ORDERED.”

All proposed orders must include the last paragraph (before DONE and ORDERED) the following statement:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of cancellation

Only the party who set a hearing may cancel it, and that party must file a written notice of cancellation.

Only the party who set the hearing may cancel it, and it is that party’s responsibility to file a written notice of cancellation of the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

For a ZOOM hearing, the notice of hearing must include the confirmation’s ZOOM information and match the confirmation email.

If the scheduled hearing is via ZOOM, the ZOOM information provided in the confirmation MUST be included in the NOH. Confirm the ZOOM information on the NOH is the same as provided in the confirmation email.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing cancellation notice

Only the party who set a hearing may cancel it, and that party must file a written cancellation notice.

Only the party who set the hearing may cancel it, and it is that party’s responsibility to file a written notice of cancellation of the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Submit proposed orders with Judge Duncan’s specified signature block.

Proposed orders are to be submitted with Judge Duncan’s preferred signature block as shown below. DONE and ORDERED in Milton, Santa Rosa County, Florida. _________________________________ J. Scott Duncan Circuit Court Judge

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of conference

Must include

certificate of conference

The certificate must state the conference date, participating attorneys, and specific results; the movant must arrange the conference, and repeated failures or refusals to confer should be described specifically.

b. The certificate shall set forth the date of the conference, the names of the participating attorneys, and the specific results achieved. It shall be the responsibility of counsel for the movant to arrange for the conference. Counsel is expected to respond promptly to inquiries and communication from opposing counsel. Repeated failure or refusal of a party or attorney to so confer should be set out with specificity in the certificate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

For a motion to compel based on no responses, e-file a proposed order compelling a response within 30 days and reserving jurisdiction to award attorney fees if applicable; the motion will be addressed without a hearing.

Motions to Compel that are filed due to NO responses will now be addressed without a hearing. Please efile proposed order compelling a response within thirty (30) days and reserving jurisdiction to award attorney fees if applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

The notice of hearing must state the efforts made to coordinate the hearing.

Efforts to coordinate the hearing must be noted on the Notice of Hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for readiness for trial

File a Notice for Readiness for Trial when the case is ready to be set for a jury or judge trial.

Please file a Notice for Readiness for Trial once the case is ready to be set for a Jury/Judge trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of court proceeding

Notices of proceedings in a public facility must include the specified accommodation statement in bold 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font.

All notices of court proceedings to be held in a public facility must contain the statement below in bold face, 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order scheduling non jury trial

After scheduling a foreclosure non-jury trial, e-file a proposed scheduling order that includes the date, time, and Zoom information from the confirmation email.

After scheduling you must e-file a proposed Order Scheduling Non-Jury Trial, including the date/time/ZOOM information provided in the email confirmation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

All hearing notices must state the hearing time in Central Time; counsel may also include a different time zone.

Please note this is a Santa Rosa County case, which is in CT (Central Time Zone), therefore all notices MUST be for CT.You are welcome to include counsel’s time zone in the NOH if it differs from the Court’s.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

For a motion to compel based on no responses, e-file a proposed order requiring a response within 30 days and reserving jurisdiction to award attorney fees if applicable; the motion will be addressed without a hearing.

Motions to Compel that are filed due to NO responses will now be addressed without a hearing.Please efile proposed order compelling a response within thirty (30) days and reserving jurisdiction to award attorney fees if applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Do not include a certificate of service for the judicial assistant to complete.

Do not include a certificate of service to be completed by the judicial assistant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A Zoom hearing notice must include the Zoom information from the confirmation email and match it exactly.

If the scheduled hearing is via ZOOM, the ZOOM information provided in the confirmation MUST be included in the NOH.Confirm the ZOOM information on the NOH is the same as provided in the confirmation email.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of court proceeding at public facility

Notices of proceedings in a public facility must include the specified ADA accommodation statement.

All notices of court proceedings to be held in a public facility must contain the statement below in bold face, 14-point Times New Roman or Courier font. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact: Court Administration, ADA Liaison Santa Rosa County 4025 Avalon Boulevard Milton, FL 32583 Phone (850) 623-3159 Fax (850) 983-0602 ADA.SantaRosa@flcourts1.gov at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.