Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
- At Least 3 Business Days Before Hearing
Exhibits
Notice of Cancellation
Adjournments
- A continuance is disfavored and requires good cause; submit the request at least five days before the court date, and have the requesting party sign the motion unless good cause is shown.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Fax
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.’
For In-Person Hearings - 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.
Submit proposed orders in Microsoft Word format with a cover letter certifying agreement by all parties or identifying any disagreements.
- File type
- Word
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format and 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.
Digital evidence must be contained on media appropriate for permanent retention by the Clerk of Courts.
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom meeting ID as well as the call-in number for individuals without the ability to appear via video.
Once confirmed, the scheduling party is then required to file a Notice of Hearing, with the type of hearing, time, date and location.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
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.
If a proposed judgment is based on a defendant’s failure to appear for a Pre-Trial Conference, please include that information in the proposed judgment. Additionally, please include the date and type of process-service afforded to the defendant.
Each proposed order must include a cover letter stating that all parties agree or identifying any disagreement about the proposed order.
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be submitted in Microsoft Word format and 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.
The Court will not address any motions which have not been properly scheduled and noticed.
Proposed orders must include the names and e-mail addresses of all parties who will need to receive e-service of the order once signed.
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.
If a case involves a pro se party without a designated email address, please include the physical mailing address in the proposed order/judgment to ensure proper distribution of copies.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused pursuant to Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
For Zoom or hybrid hearings, e-file proposed exhibits with the Clerk through the e-filing portal five days before the remote appearance.
For Zoom and/or Hybrid Hearings - Proposed exhibits must be e-filed with the Clerk through the e-filing portal five (5) days prior to the remote appearance.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
A Notice of Cancellation must be e-filed and a courtesy copy should be emailed to the judicial assistant so that the hearing can be removed from the Court schedule and that time can be offered to another party in another case.
A Notice of Cancellation must be e-filed and a courtesy copy should be emailed to the judicial assistant so that the hearing can be removed from the Court schedule and that time can be offered to another party in another case.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit proposed orders through the E-Filing Portal.
Submission Method: E-Filing Portal
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All filings must be submitted electronically through the e-Portal.
All filings must be e-filed through the e-Portal.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Submit proposed orders within 10 days after a hearing unless the Judge states otherwise during the hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing, unless specifically stated otherwise by the Judge during the hearing.
Page 1 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Proposed exhibits for Zoom or hybrid hearings are due five days before the remote appearance.
For Zoom and/or Hybrid Hearings - Proposed exhibits must be e-filed with the Clerk through the e-filing portal five (5) days prior to the remote appearance.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The Court must receive all hearing materials at least three business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
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
Service and Proof of Service Rules
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
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A Notice of Cancellation must be e-filed and a courtesy copy should be emailed to the judicial assistant so that the hearing can be removed from the Court schedule and that time can be offered to another party in another case.
A Notice of Cancellation must be e-filed and a courtesy copy should be emailed to the judicial assistant so that the hearing can be removed from the Court schedule and that time can be offered to another party in another case.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy copies of case law for consideration at a motion hearing should be provided at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing to the judicial assistant via email or hand delivery.
Courtesy copies of case law for consideration at a motion hearing should be provided at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled hearing to the judicial assistant via email or hand delivery.
Page 1 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of proposed exhibits for Zoom or hybrid hearings may be emailed to the division email account.
Courtesy copies for the Court may be submitted electronically by e-mail to the division e-mail account.
Page 1 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance is disfavored and requires good cause; submit the request at least five days before the court date, and have the requesting party sign the motion unless good cause is shown.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. 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
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
The Court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties may contact the judicial office only under these procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the Court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A person needing disability accommodation should contact the listed ADA Liaison at least seven days before the appearance, or immediately if fewer than seven days remain; hearing- or voice-impaired persons may call 711.
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 Blvd, Milton, Florida, 32583, Phone (850) 623-3159, Fax (850) 982-0602, 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.
Page 1 | I. Other Division Procedures
Do not cross-notice a hearing without coordinating and obtaining express authorization from opposing counsel and the Judicial Assistant.
Do not “cross notice” a hearing without coordinating express authorization with opposing counsel and the Judicial Assistant.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Communications with the judicial office must be emailed to the listed address with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications with the judicial office be submitted by e-mail to dawn.fallon@flcourts1.gov. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe).
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Judicial assistants may assist with procedural and scheduling inquiries only, and may not make substantive inquiries of the judge or provide legal advice.
The Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits judicial assistants from making substantive inquiries of the judge on behalf of any attorney or litigant involved in any action. Judicial assistants are neither qualified nor able to provide legal advice to anyone. They may assist with procedural and scheduling inquiries only.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys delayed by other court appearances or unforeseen circumstances should notify the Judicial Assistant.
Attorneys who are delayed due to other court appearances or unforeseen circumstances should notify the judicial assistant.
Page 1 | I. Other Division Procedures
Schedule hearings by emailing the Judicial Assistant.
Please schedule hearings through the Judicial Assistant by email.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If a scheduled hearing is no longer necessary, immediately email the Judicial Assistant.
If it is determined that a scheduled hearing is no longer necessary, you must notify the Judicial Assistant immediately via email.
Page 1 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Contact the Supervising Court Interpreter 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 the Supervising Court Interpreter at (850) 595-4533 or Trinidad.SerranoBennitt@flcourts1.gov.
Page 1 | I. Other Division Procedures
The moving party may schedule a case management or status conference through the online scheduling platform after coordinating with opposing counsel or the self-represented party.
The moving party may schedule the case management conference or status conference through the online scheduling platform after coordinating with counsel for the other party or the pro-se party.
Page 1 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Any party may request a status conference when needed.
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 needed, and the Court encourages early use of CMCs in complex, multi-party, or intervention-benefiting cases.
Any party may request a case management conference (CMC) when a case requires. 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