Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must immediately notify the Court of settlement or dismissal and submit a stipulation for an order of dismissal.

All counsel shall immediately notify this Court in the event of settlement or dismissal and shall submit a stipulation for an order of dismissal.

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Email to chambers

Notify the judicial assistant promptly by email of hearing cancellations and trial settlements, even if a Notice of Cancellation is filed.

Notify the judicial assistant of all hearing cancellations and trial settlements by email as promptly as possible to open the time slot for other matters. Even if parties file a Notice of Cancellation, they are still expected to notify the judicial assistant promptly.

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Email to chambers

After filing and serving the Notice, email Mira Phillips to request pre-trial and trial dates, copy all parties or counsel, include the specified information, and do not call Judge Goodman’s office for dates.

After your Notice has been filed and served, you must email Mira Phillips at phillipsm@jud14.flcourts.org. DO NOT call Judge Goodman’s office to request a hearing date or trial date. Your email communication must be copied to all parties or counsel of record and must include in the subject line a reference to the clerk’s assigned case number, a copy of the Notice, a request for pre-trial conference date and trial date, and names of counsel for parties. A case management conference is not required to schedule a pre-trial/trial date with the Court.

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Email to chambers

After clearing a proposed date with all parties or counsel, the requester must confirm it by email to the judicial assistant, copy all parties or counsel, and do so within three business days or the date is waived.

After the requesting party has cleared a selected date with all parties or counsel of record, the requesting party must confirm the selected date with Mira Phillips by email communication. This email must be copied to all parties or counsel of record. Any proposed hearing date which is not confirmed via email within 3 business days will be deemed waived by the requestor.

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Email to chambers

Disputed proposed orders must be emailed to Mira Phillips and must not be filed through the e-filing portal.

Said disputed proposed orders shall be submitted to the email of Mira Phillips and shall not be filed via the e-filing portal.

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The moving party must contact the presiding judge’s office to schedule a requested motion hearing within 20 days after filing the motion; failure may result in denial.

Within 20 days of filing any motion for which a hearing is requested, the moving party must contact the presiding judge's office to set the motion for hearing. Failure to seek such hearing may result in the motion being denied.

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Email to chambers

A counsel or party intending to provide hearing materials must contact the judicial assistant to request a case-specific OneDrive drop box.

a. Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case.

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Email to chambers

Email the Witness List to the Court at the specified address.

shall be emailed to the Court at phillipsm@jud14.flcourts.org three (3) days before the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant only to request dates or confirm a hearing date, and do not include the assistant in email chains between counsel or staff.

Only email the judicial assistant to request dates and confirm the hearing date. DO NOT include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).

CRITICAL

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Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant only to request or confirm hearing dates, and do not include the assistant in counsel or staff email chains.

Only email the judicial assistant to request dates and confirm the hearing date. DO NOT include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).

CRITICALCivil cases

A multi-day non-jury trial may be set without a CMC if the parties agree on the dates and duration; otherwise, they must set a CMC.

Multi-day non-jury trials may be set using the below procedures without the need for a CMC, unless the parties cannot agree on the dates for trial or the amount of time needed, in which case they must set a CMC to have the matter set for trial.

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Email to chambers

After filing, email the judicial assistant a copy of every hearing notice.

Email the judicial assistant a copy of all notices for hearing once filed.

CRITICAL

Do not request a case management conference to obtain final hearing dates unless the parties cannot agree on the dates or the time needed.

DO NOT request a case management conference to obtain final hearing dates, unless parties cannot agree on the dates or the amount of time needed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

A hearing-time request email must identify the motions, requested argument time, movant’s first available date, attending attorneys, and attach the motions.

Provide the following information in the hearing time request email: a. Type of motion(s) to be heard b. Actual amount of time needed for counsel to argue motion(s) c. First date movant is available for hearing (see #7 below) d. Names of attorneys that will attend hearing e. Attach copy of the motion(s) to the email

CRITICALCivil cases

A motion will not be heard unless it is specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant, will not be heard.

CRITICAL

An additional motion may not be added to a previously scheduled hearing unless it is cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel and sufficient hearing time has been reserved.

Additional motions may not be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved.

CRITICALCivil cases

Do not request a CMC to set a trial unless the jury trial will take longer than one week or the parties cannot agree on a trial date.

DO NOT request a case management conference (CMC) to set a case for trial, unless: a. Setting a jury trial that will take longer than one week b. The parties cannot agree on a trial date

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

If necessary, email a request to set a CMC to Judge J. Patterson’s assistant, Dani Dixon, and CC opposing counsel. The request should be sent via email to dixond@jud14.flcourts.org.

If necessary, email a request to set a CMC to Judge J. Patterson’s assistant, Dani Dixon, and CC opposing counsel. The request should be sent via email to dixond@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Do not call the Judge’s office to request hearing time.

DO NOT call the Judge’s office to request hearing time.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Request hearing time by email to the judicial assistant, copy opposing counsel, and use the Bay or Gulf County case number and case style as the subject line.

Email any request for hearing time to Judge J. Patterson’s assistant, Dani Dixon, and CC opposing counsel. These requests should be made via email to dixond@jud14.flcourts.org. Use Bay or Gulf County case number and style of case as your subject line.

CRITICAL

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Email to chambers

A final-hearing request email must use the county case number and case style as its subject and identify the pending pleadings to be addressed and the time needed.

Use Bay or Gulf County case number and style of case as your subject line. Include any and all pending pleadings that will be addressed at the final hearing (e.g, initial petition, answer and counter-petition, etc.), and the amount of time needed.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Do not email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant.

DO NOT email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Adding a motion to a scheduled hearing requires opposing counsel’s consent, notice to the judicial assistant, and sufficient reserved time; if the needed time is unavailable, the motion must be reset.

Additional motions may not be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and such motions may only potentially be added if sufficient time has been reserved. To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing and advise if additional time is required. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time. If additional time is required but not available, the request to piggyback a motion will be denied and the motion will need to be reset at a different date and time.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request hearing time by emailing Judge Patterson’s assistant at dixond@jud14.flcourts.org and copying opposing counsel.

Email request for hearing to Judge J. Patterson’s assistant, Dani Dixon, and CC opposing counsel. These requests should be made via email to dixond@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request a final hearing by emailing Judge Patterson’s assistant at the stated address and copying opposing counsel.

Email request for final hearing to Judge J. Patterson’s assistant, Dani Dixon, and CC opposing counsel. These requests should be made via email to dixond@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

A noticed motion will not be heard unless it has been specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant, will not be heard.

CRITICALCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant only to set a CMC or confirm the selected trial date; do not include the assistant in counsel or staff email chains to clear dates or for other purposes.

Only email the judicial assistant to set a CMC or confirm the trial date selected. DO NOT include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).

CRITICALCivil cases

A trial or hearing scheduled by court order cannot be canceled merely by filing a notice; court approval is required.

Counsel and parties may not cancel a trial or hearing scheduled by Court Order by simply filing a notice of cancellation without obtaining approval of the Court.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

To add a motion to a scheduled hearing, first obtain opposing counsel’s consent, then email the judicial assistant and wait for confirmation that the motion has been added.

To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time.

CRITICALCivil cases

A counsel or party seeking to provide hearing materials must request a case OneDrive drop box from the judicial assistant at least two business days before the hearing and include the email addresses of everyone needing access.

Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing. Please be sure to include the email addresses of all parties/counsel who require access.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant only to request dates or confirm the selected final date, and do not include the assistant in counsel or staff email chains.

Only email the judicial assistant to request dates and confirm the final date selected. DO NOT include judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).

CRITICALCivil cases

After the response is filed, movant’s counsel must contact the judicial assistant, report the filings, and provide copies of the motion and response.

Upon filing of the response, the movant’s counsel shall contact the judicial assistant and advise that a non-hearing motion and response have been filed and provide copies of the filed motion and response.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

To add a motion to a scheduled hearing, first obtain opposing counsel’s consent, ensure sufficient time is reserved, and email the judicial assistant; the addition must be cleared with both the assistant and opposing counsel and confirmed by the assistant.

Additional motions cannot be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved. To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel's consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing. The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case.

Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

To schedule a motion-calendar hearing, counsel should email the judicial assistant for available dockets, clear the time with opposing counsel, and confirm the date.

Follow the procedures contained in the General Procedures on Page 2 (to include emailing the judicial assistant for available motion calendar dockets, clearing the hearing time with opposing counsel, confirming the date and providing a copy of the notice of hearing).

CRITICAL

A motion will not be heard unless it is specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant, will not be heard

CRITICAL

Do not request a case management conference to obtain trial dates unless setting a multi-day non-jury trial or a jury trial lasting more than one week.

DO NOT request a case management conference to obtain trial dates, unless setting a multi-day non-jury trial or a jury trial that will take longer than one week

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Notices to the judicial assistant of a cancellation or settlement should be sent via email.

Notices to the judicial assistant of a cancellation or settlement should be sent via email.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

A motion will not be heard unless it is specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant.

Any motions noticed, but not specifically scheduled with the judicial assistant, will not be heard.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Do not email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant.

DO NOT email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request final hearing dates by emailing Judge Roberts's assistant and copying opposing counsel.

Email request for final hearing dates to Judge Roberts's assistant, Melanie Baggett, and CC opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to baggettm@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request trial dates by emailing Judge Roberts’s assistant and copying opposing counsel.

Email request for trial dates to Judge Roberts's assistant, Melanie Baggett, and CC opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to baggettm@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

To add a motion to a scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent, email the judicial assistant, and ensure the addition is cleared and sufficient hearing time is reserved.

Additional motions cannot be piggybacked on a previously scheduled hearing time without being cleared with the judicial assistant and opposing counsel, and provided sufficient time has been reserved. To add a motion to a previously scheduled hearing, obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the addition, then email the judicial assistant about adding the motion to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant only to request trial dates or confirm the selected date; do not include the assistant in email chains between counsel or staff.

Only email the judicial assistant to request dates and confirm the final date selected. DO NOT include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Read the judicial assistant’s entire reply-all email containing available dates and instructions.

Judicial assistant will “reply all” to the email with available dates and instructions. READ ENTIRE EMAIL.

CRITICAL

A non-jury trial lasting more than one day requires a case management conference.

If a non-jury trial – specify the amount of time needed. If over one day, a case management conference is needed

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Counsel or a party seeking a OneDrive drop box must email the judicial assistant and copy all other counsel or parties on the request.

Any counsel or party that desires to provide hearing materials shall contact the judicial assistant and request a OneDrive drop box for the case. The email request shall be copied to all other counsel or parties. The judicial assistant will send out an email to all parties with a link to the drop box.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Send hearing-time requests by email to Judge Henry’s assistant at the stated address and copy opposing counsel.

Email any request for hearing time to Judge Henry’s assistant, Brittany Smith, and CC opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to smithb@jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Email the judicial assistant a copy of every hearing notice after it is filed.

13. Email the judicial assistant a copy of all notices for hearing once filed

CRITICAL

Contact

Email to chambers

Request final hearing dates by emailing Judge Henry’s assistant and copying opposing counsel.

Email request for final hearing dates to Judge Henry’s assistant, Brittany Smith, and CC opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to smithb@jud14.flcourts.org.