Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson and Washington Counties Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

An explanatory cover letter must accompany the proposed order.

The proposed Order shall then be E-filed along with an explanatory cover letter.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed exhibit list

Each party must submit a proposed exhibit list directly to chambers by the deadline in the Court’s Trial Order.

A list of proposed exhibits shall be submitted directly to chambers by each of the parties by the deadline established in the Court’s Trial Order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Joint pretrial conference stipulation and pretrial conference checklist

After the parties’ pretrial meeting, the plaintiff’s attorney—or the defendant’s attorney if the plaintiff is unrepresented—must prepare and present the joint stipulation and checklist to the opposing party.

Following the meeting by the parties prior to the Pretrial Conference, Plaintiff’s attorney (or Defendant’s attorney if Plaintiff is unrepresented) shall prepare and present to the opposing party a Joint Pretrial Conference Stipulation and Pretrial Conference Checklist.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed pretrial order

The proposed Pretrial Order must include a trial schedule as an exhibit identifying anticipated witnesses and depositions, their order, and examination time allocations.

The parties shall prepare a proposed “schedule” for trial, which shall be attached as an exhibit to the proposed Pretrial Order. The proposed “schedule” shall allocate which witnesses and depositions the parties in good faith anticipate will be called at trial, the order in which the witnesses will be called, and the time allowed for direct examination and cross examination of the witnesses.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of the case

The parties must agree on and draft a concise but complete statement of the case for the Court to read to the jury at the start of trial.

Agree upon and draft a concise but complete statement of the case to be read by the Court to the jury at the beginning of the case.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Expert witness disclosure

Each Defendant’s expert-witness disclosure must contain the information specified in sections (a)-(f) for each expert who will testify for that Defendant.

Expert Witness Disclosure- Defendant: No later than 110 days prior to the trial date, each Defendant shall serve on all other counsel, and file with the Court, a notice containing the same information as set forth in sections (a)-(f) above regarding each expert witness who will testify at trial on behalf of Defendant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

The preparing party must state in the cover letter whether any party objects to the proposed order’s form.

The preparing party shall state in the cover letter whether there are any objections by any other party as to form.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed pretrial order

Disputed witnesses and the grounds for objections to them must be identified in an attachment to the proposed Pretrial Conference Order.

Any disputed witnesses shall be marked as such on an attachment to the proposed Pretrial Conference Order and the grounds for any objection shall be set forth by the objecting party.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Pretrial checklist

Bring the completed checklist to the Pre-Trial Conference; do not file it.

Bring (do not file) completed checklist to Pre-Trial Conference (“PTC”)

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Plaintiff and each Defendant or Third-Party Defendant must file a certification within the stated 30-day period confirming they have read and agree to abide by the Standing Order and the judge’s Administrative Procedures.

Within thirty (30) days of entry of this Standing Order for Plaintiff, and within thirty (30) days of filing an appearance in this case for each Defendant/Third-Party Defendant, counsel, or the party if pro se, shall file a certification that they have read and agree to abide by this Standing Order and the presiding judge’s Administrative Procedures, which may be found on the 14th Judicial Circuit’s website, www.jud14.flcourts.org.

CRITICALCivil cases

Each party must attach a complete list of witnesses.

4. COMPLETE LIST OF WITNESSES (Each Party Attach Hereto):

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed pretrial order

Disputed exhibits and the grounds for objections to them must be identified in an attachment to the proposed Pretrial Conference Order.

Any disputed exhibits shall be marked as such on an attachment to the proposed Pretrial Conference Order and the grounds for any objection shall be set forth by the objecting party.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Trial witness list

A witness omitted from the required disclosure may not testify at trial without a court order.

Any witness not disclosed as described herein shall not be permitted to testify at trial without an order of the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Email to judicial office

Emails to the judicial assistant must include the case name and case number in the subject line.

The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial assistant must contain the case name and case number (e.g., Doe v. Doe, 25CA1234).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A hearing notice involving a remote appearance must include the judge’s Zoom information, including the applicable video or telephone instructions.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must include the judge’s zoom information. a. To appear by video: https://zoom.us/j/5750510920, Meeting ID: 575 051 0920 b. To appear by telephone, dial 1-312-626-6799, and, when prompted, enter Meeting ID: 575 051 0920#

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency hearing motion

A party seeking an emergency hearing based on a factual basis must file a detailed motion stating 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

Notice of hearing

Any notice for a hearing conducted via Zoom must include the Zoom instructions.

If the hearing is being conducted via Zoom include the Zoom instructions in any notices.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order of dismissal

An Order of Dismissal must be provided to the Court.

An Order of Dismissal must be provided to the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A PDF cover letter must accompany each proposed order.

f. A cover letter in .pdf format must accompany proposed orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management or status conference request

A request for a case management conference or status conference must explain why the conference is necessary.

Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A PDF cover letter must accompany each proposed order submission.

A cover letter in .pdf format must accompany proposed orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Conference request

A request for a CMC or status conference must explain why the conference is necessary.

Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order setting final hearing

After a final hearing date is confirmed, the requesting party or counsel must prepare a proposed order setting the hearing, include proposed disclosure and other deadlines, and obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the order’s form and deadlines.

Once a final hearing date is confirmed, the party/counsel requesting the final hearing will prepare a proposed order setting final hearing, which will contain proposed disclosure and other deadlines. Obtain opposing counsel’s consent to the form of the order and deadlines included therein.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial cancellation

A trial may not be cancelled until a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal has been filed.

Parties may not cancel a trial without first having filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial cancellation

Before canceling a trial, parties must file a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal and provide the Court with an Order of Dismissal.

Parties may not cancel a trial without first having filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal. An Order of Dismissal must be provided to the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Notices must identify the hearing location as Washington County Courthouse, 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428, Circuit Courtroom, without a room number.

Address: Washington County Courthouse, 1293 Jackson Avenue, Chipley, FL 32428. There is no room number – just list as Circuit Courtroom.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Continuance motion

A continuance motion must be signed by the party requesting it 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).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Email request for OneDrive access

The OneDrive access request email must include the hearing date and email addresses for all counsel or parties.

Include the following in your e-mail request: iii. Date of Hearing iv. E-mail addresses for all counsel or parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Every submitted proposed order must end with the specified service statement.

Include the following statement in all submitted orders as the last paragraph: “The party who submitted this proposed order to the Court for approval is required to serve a copy of the signed order upon any person(s) not registered to receive service via the e-portal.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contact information

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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Every hearing notice 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. The notification can be found on the 14th Circuit’s website at https://jud14.flcourts.org/ada-information.

CRITICAL

Applies to

One drive access request email

The OneDrive access request email must include the case style, case number, hearing date, and email addresses for all counsel or parties.

Include the following in your e-mail request: i. Case Style ii. Case Number iii. Date of Hearing iv. E-mail addresses for all counsel or parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

All submitted orders must include the specified service statement as their last paragraph.

d. Include the following statement in all submitted orders as the last paragraph: “The party who submitted this proposed order to the Court for approval is required to serve a copy of the signed order upon any person(s) not registered to receive service via the e-portal.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

A motion subject to the conferral requirement must include a certificate stating that counsel conferred and could not agree, with the conference date, participating attorneys, and specific results; stated exceptions apply.

Before filing any motion, except as noted in Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.202, 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”). The term “confer” as used herein, means a substantive conversation either in person or by telephone in a good faith effort to resolve the motion without court action and does not envision an exchange of ultimatums by e-mail, fax, or letter. Certification that counsel has attempted to confer with opposing counsel is not sufficient. The court may sua sponte deny motions that fail to include an appropriate and complete certificate under this section. 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. No conference, therefore, no certificate, is required for appropriate ex parte motions, uncontested motions, judgment on the pleadings, summary judgment, or other dispositive motions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

A hearing notice involving a remote appearance must include the judge’s Zoom information, including the applicable video or telephone access details.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must include the judge’s zoom information. a. To appear by video: https://zoom.us/j/5750510920, Meeting ID: 575 051 0920 b. To appear by telephone, dial 1-312-626-6799, and, when prompted, enter Meeting ID: 575 051 0920#

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Every notice of hearing must contain the required ADA notification, available on the 14th Circuit’s website.

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. The notification can be found on the 14th Circuit’s website at https://jud14.flcourts.org/ada-information.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contact information update

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information with the Clerk using Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email account changes.

It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information through the Clerk’s office using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Email request for OneDrive access

Must include

case number

The OneDrive access request email must include the case style and case number.

Include the following in your e-mail request: i. Case Style ii. Case Number

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

A party seeking an emergency hearing based on a factual basis must file a detailed motion stating 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

Notice of hearing

If a hearing is conducted via Zoom, include the Zoom instructions in every notice.

If the hearing is being conducted via Zoom include the Zoom instructions in any notices.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Reply statement of material facts

If the opponent submits Additional Facts, the movant must respond in a separately filed Reply Statement of Material Facts.

If the opponent submits Additional Facts, the movant must respond in a separately filed Reply Statement of Material Facts.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

Statements of Material Facts filed by either side must be filed and served as separate documents, not as exhibits or attachments.

All Statements of Material Facts—whether filed by the movant or the opponent—must be filed and served as separate documents, not as exhibits or attachments.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

Each Statement of Material Facts must use separately numbered paragraphs, generally limited to one material fact each, with specific pinpoint record citations including page references.

consist of separately numbered paragraphs, each limited as far as practicable to a single material fact, supported by specific, pinpoint citations to the record, including page references.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Additional facts

Opponent's additional material facts must immediately follow the responses to the movant's statement and appear under the separate title “Additional Facts.”

Any additional facts the opponent contends are material to the motion must be placed immediately after the opponent's responses to the movant's Statement of Material Facts. These facts must be separately titled "Additional Facts"

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Reply statement of material facts

The Reply Statement must follow the opponent's Additional Facts order and numbering, begin each paragraph with “disputed” or “undisputed,” and include specific record citations for disputed responses.

The Reply Statement must correspond to the order and paragraph numbering used in the opponent's Additional Facts and must begin each paragraph with "disputed" or "undisputed." If disputed, the response must include specific citations to the record.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Each notice of hearing must identify the motion’s docket number and all related memoranda or legal filings relevant to the issue.

Each notice of hearing must include the docket number of the motion to be heard and must identify all related memoranda or legal filings relevant to the issue; e.g., (Doc. 30).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summary judgment motion and opposition

Each summary judgment motion and opposition must be accompanied by a separate Statement of Material Facts filed at the same time.

Each motion for summary judgment and each opposition must be accompanied by a separate, contemporaneously filed Statement of Material Facts.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Opponent statement of material facts

An opponent's Statement of Material Facts must identify genuinely disputed movant facts, follow the movant's order and numbering without repeating paragraph text, and begin each response with “disputed” or “undisputed.”

An opponent's Statement of Material Facts must identify any fact asserted by the movant that the opponent contends is genuinely disputed. In addition to the requirements of paragraph 7, the opponent's Statement of Material Facts must: - (a) correspond to the order and paragraph numbering used by the movant; - (b) not repeat the text of the movant's paragraphs; and - (c) begin each paragraph-by-paragraph response with the word "disputed" or "undisputed."

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

Parties must strictly comply with Rule 56.1 as modified in the standing order.

The parties are reminded that strict compliance with Rule 56.1 as modified herein is required.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Standing order

The plaintiff must file the Standing Order and serve it on all named defendants along with the summons and complaint.

Plaintiff shall file and serve this Standing Order upon all named Defendant(s) along with the summons and complaint.