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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Each proposed order must include a PDF cover letter indicating whether opposing counsel or the party agrees with the proposed order.

2. All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format. The cover letter should indicate whether the proposed order is agreed to by opposing counsel/party or not.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial date request email

The trial-date request email must attach the filed notice for trial, identify whether the trial is jury or non-jury, and state the required trial time; jury-trial time excludes jury selection.

Provide the following information in the trial request email: - a. Attach a copy of the filed notice for trial - b. Specify whether it is a jury trial or non-jury trial - c. If a jury trial – specify the number of days needed, exclusive of jury selection - d. If a non-jury trial – specify the amount of time needed. If over one day, a case management conference is needed

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial date request email

Use the Bay County or Holmes County case number and case style as the subject line of the trial-date request email.

Use Bay County or Holmes County case number and style of case as your subject line

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Each proposed order must include a cover letter.

All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Obtain opposing counsel's consent to the proposed order's form and included deadlines.

Obtain opposing counsel's consent to the form of the order and deadlines included therein.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Counsel must provide the judicial assistant with a copy of the notice of hearing.

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

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order that does not comply with the submission instructions will not be entered.

9. Any proposed order not complying with the above instructions will not be entered

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

The submitting counsel must serve the signed order on anyone not registered for e-portal service.

Counsel 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

Notice of hearing

Any notice of hearing must include the Zoom instructions above.

3. Include Zoom instructions above in any notices for hearing

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order that does not comply with the submission instructions will not be entered.

Any proposed order not complying with the above instructions will not be entered

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

After the final hearing date is confirmed, the requesting party or counsel must prepare a proposed order setting the hearing and containing proposed disclosure and other deadlines.

Once the 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.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If a case includes a pro se party unregistered for e-portal filings, the proposed order must include the specified service statement as its last paragraph before “DONE AND ORDERED.”

If the case involves a pro se party who is not registered to receive filings from the e-portal, the proposed order shall include as the last paragraph (before DONE AND ORDERED) the following statement: Counsel 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

Hearing notice

Hearing notices must include the Zoom instructions.

Include Zoom instructions above in any notices for hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

In most cases, counsel for all parties must file a certification stating that they have read and agree to abide by the Standing Order and Administrative Procedures.

Pursuant to the Standing Civil Case Management Order entered in most cases, counsel for all parties are required to file a certification that they have read and agree to abide by the Standing Order and these Administrative Procedures.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format. The cover letter should indicate whether the proposed order is agreed to by opposing counsel/party or not.

All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format. The cover letter should indicate whether the proposed order is agreed to by opposing counsel/party or not.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing notice

Notices of hearing must include the Zoom instructions.

5. Include Zoom instructions above in any notices for hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If a case has a pro se party not registered for e-portal filings, the proposed order must include the specified service statement as its last paragraph before “DONE AND ORDERED.”

If the case involves a pro se party who is not registered to receive filings from the e-portal, the proposed order shall include as the last paragraph (before DONE AND ORDERED) the following statement: Counsel who submitted this proposed order to the Court for approval shall serve a copy of this Order on any party not registered to receive service via the Court’s e-portal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Response

The nonmovant’s response to a motion submitted for decision without a hearing must include at least a brief memorandum of law.

Thereafter, the nonmovant shall file a response which shall include at least a brief memorandum of law as part of the response.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Counsel or a pro se party must file a certification stating that they have read and agree to abide by the Standing Order and the judge’s Administrative Procedures; noncompliance may result in the listed sanctions or other actions.

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. Failure to comply with this Standing Order or any Administrative Procedures may result in denial of hearing time, denial of a motion or other requested relief, an award of attorney's fees and/or costs, striking of pleadings, dismissal of claims, a finding of contempt, or other potential actions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing time request email

A hearing-time request email must identify the motions, time needed, 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 a copy of the motion(s) to the email

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

certificate of conference

For most motions (other than truly dispositive motions), the moving party is required to include a certification in the motion that movant made a “good faith attempt” to resolve the issue(s) raised in the motion with the opposing counsel or party (whether represented or pro se) prior to filing the motion.

For most motions (other than truly dispositive motions), the moving party is required to include a certification in the motion that movant made a “good faith attempt” to resolve the issue(s) raised in the motion with the opposing counsel or party (whether represented or pro se) prior to filing the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial request email

A trial-request email must include the listed notice and trial details, including the required duration information.

Provide the following information in the trial request email: a. Attach a copy of the filed notice for trial, if done b. Specify whether it is a jury trial or non-jury trial c. If a jury trial – specify the number of days needed, exclusive of jury selection d. If a non-jury trial – specify the amount of time needed. If over one day, a case management conference is needed

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

Counsel and pro se parties must file the certification within the time periods set by the case’s Standing Order.

The Certification shall be filed by counsel or pro se parties pursuant to the time periods contained in the Standing Order entered in a case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Final hearings will be noticed by entry of an Order prepared and entered by the Court. For all other hearings not set by the Court, a Notice of Hearing should be prepared and filed by counsel or a pro se party.

Final hearings will be noticed by entry of an Order prepared and entered by the Court. For all other hearings not set by the Court, a Notice of Hearing should be prepared and filed by counsel or a pro se party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

If a pro se party is not registered for e-portal filings, the proposed order must include the specified service statement as its last paragraph before “DONE AND ORDERED.”

7. If the case involves a pro se party who is not registered to receive filings from the e-portal, the proposed order shall include as the last paragraph (before DONE AND ORDERED) the following statement: Counsel who submitted this proposed order to the Court for approval shall serve a copy of this Order on any party not registered to receive service via the Court’s e-portal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Each proposed order must include a PDF cover letter indicating whether it is agreed to by opposing counsel or party.

2. All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format. The cover letter should indicate whether the proposed order is agreed to by opposing counsel/party or not.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing time request email

A hearing-time request email must use the Bay County case number and case style as its subject and provide the specified hearing and availability information; attaching the petition or motion is optional.

Use Bay County case number and style of case as your subject line 7. Provide the following information in the hearing time request email: a. Type of petition(s)/motion(s) to be heard b. Actual amount of time needed for counsel to argue petition(s)/motion(s) – other than matters specified under #8 below c. First date movant is available for hearing d. Names of attorneys/parties that will attend hearing e. You may attach a copy of the petition(s)/motion(s) to the email

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion must include a certification of the movant’s good-faith attempt to resolve the issues before filing, or the judicial assistant may reject offering hearing time.

For most motions (other than truly dispositive motions), the moving party is required to include a certification in the motion that movant made a “good faith attempt” to resolve the issue(s) raised in the motion with the opposing counsel or party (whether represented or pro se) prior to filing the motion. The judicial assistant may reject offering hearing time if a motion does not include certification of a “good faith attempt” to resolve the issue(s) in the motion prior to filing the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

For a motion submitted for decision without a hearing by stipulation, the movant must include at least a brief memorandum of law with the motion or as a supplemental filing.

The parties may stipulate to having a motion decided without the necessity of a hearing. If such is the case, the movant shall include at least a brief memorandum of law as part of the motion being filed or as a supplemental filing on the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

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.judl4.f1courts.org.

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.judl4.f1courts.org.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certification

The certification must be substantially in the specified form, including the acknowledgment and warning about potential sanctions.

The Certification shall be substantially in the following form: I, on behalf of myself, my client and my law firm, have read the Standing Civil Case Management Order entered in this case as well as the presiding judge’s Administrative Procedures found on the 14th Judicial Circuit’s website and agree to abide by such requirements, procedures and deadlines. I understand that failure to comply with any of the requirements, procedures or deadlines may result in sanctions against me and/or my client, including, but not limited to, an award of attorney’s fees and costs, denial of motions or hearing time, striking of pleadings, dismissal of claims, finding of contempt or other sanctions.

WARNING

Applies to

Hearing time request email

Include the Jackson County case number and case style in the hearing-time request email’s subject line.

Use Jackson County case number and style of case as your subject line.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Hearing notices must use the stated courthouse address and identify the location as Circuit Courtroom without a room number.

Address: 4445 Lafayette Street. Marianna, FL 32446. There is no room number – just list as Circuit Courtroom.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits should not be filed with the court unless the exhibit is a demonstrative proposed outcome for the case.

Exhibits should not be filed with the court unless the exhibit is a demonstrative proposed outcome for the case.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Joint pretrial conference stipulation

In the event the parties are unable to agree on any matter, the differing views should be specifically set forth in the document so that the Court can easily distinguish the preferences of each party.

In the event the parties are unable to agree on any matter, the differing views should be specifically set forth in the document so that the Court can easily distinguish the preferences of each party.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion in limine

Attorneys and unrepresented parties must not submit boilerplate motions in limine because the Court will not hear or consider them.

The Court will not hear or consider “boiler-plate” motions in limine as all attorneys and unrepresented parties are responsible for knowing the applicable rules of evidence and rules of civil procedure.

WARNINGCivil cases

The parties should anticipate the stated trial time allocations and provide information explaining any additional time needed or requested.

Each party shall anticipate having 1.5 hours for purposes of jury selection (3 hours total). Each party shall anticipate having 45 minutes for opening statements. Each party shall anticipate having 1 hour for closing argument. Please provide information as to why any additional time shall be needed or set aside:

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit list

A party must be prepared to establish that a challenged exhibit was included on its exhibit list.

Each party shall be prepared to establish the inclusion of any exhibit on the Exhibit List if the other party challenges the production or authenticity of such exhibit at trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Original trial exhibits

The originals of all exhibits admitted at trial should be ready to be turned over to the jury foreperson prior to closing jury instructions so that jury deliberations are not delayed.

The originals of all exhibits admitted at trial should be ready to be turned over to the jury foreperson prior to closing jury instructions so that jury deliberations are not delayed.

WARNING

Applies to

Form 2.603

When the e-mail account registered for electronic service changes, attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information through the Clerk’s office using Form 2.603.

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.

WARNING

Applies to

Notice of hearing

For a courthouse hearing, list the specified courthouse address and identify the courtroom as “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.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

A material fact may be deemed admitted if not controverted, but only if it has properly cited record support and no Rule 56 exception applies.

All material facts in any party’s Statement of Material Facts may be deemed admitted unless controverted by the other party’s Statement of Material Facts, provided that: (i) the Court finds that the material fact at issue is supported by properly cited record evidence; and (ii) any exception under Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 does not apply.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Opposing statement of material facts

In the event a responding party fails to controvert a movant’s supported material facts in an opposing statement of material facts, the movant’s material facts will be deemed admitted.

In the event a responding party fails to controvert a movant’s supported material facts in an opposing statement of material facts, the movant’s material facts will be deemed admitted.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Statement of material facts

Noncompliant Statements of Material Facts may be stricken or subject to other relief or sanctions.

If a party files and serves any Statement of Material Facts that does not comply with this rule, then the Court may strike the Statement, require immediate compliance, grant relief to any opposing party for any prejudice arising from a non-compliant statement or response, or enter other sanctions that the Court deems appropriate.

WARNING

Applies to

Hearing request

Discovery-dispute hearings are generally allotted up to 30 minutes, and a request for more time must include a detailed explanation of the need.

Judge Goodman generally allots up to thirty (30) minutes for hearings involving discovery disputes. Any hearing request for over thirty (30) minutes involving a discovery dispute shall have accompanying therewith a detailed explanation regarding the need for additional time.

WARNING

Applies to

Withdrawal motion

Counsel seeking to withdraw from representation may do so by filing an appropriate motion.

Counsel may seek withdrawal from representation upon filing of an appropriate motion.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Counsel shall confer and review all exhibits prior to closing arguments. The originals of all exhibits admitted at trial should be ready to be turned over to the jury foreperson prior to closing jury instructions so that jury deliberations are not delayed.

Counsel shall confer and review all exhibits prior to closing arguments. The originals of all exhibits admitted at trial should be ready to be turned over to the jury foreperson prior to closing jury instructions so that jury deliberations are not delayed.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion to continue

An affidavit or declaration should accompany a motion to continue the hearing and explain the unavailable discovery, expected discovery, reason it has not been obtained, and how it would defeat summary judgment.

An appropriate affidavit or declaration should be attached to a motion to continue the hearing that explains: • what discovery the nonmovant has not been able to conduct; • what the nonmovant expects to discover; • why the nonmovant has not been able to obtain the discovery so far; and • how the anticipated discovery will defeat the summary judgment motion.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

When the Court requires proposed orders, it will give specific instructions at the close of the hearing, and counsel should be prepared to comply with the stated requirements.

In such situations, the Court will give the movant(s) and/or nonmovant(s) specific instructions at the close of the hearing, but, in general, counsel for the parties should expect and be prepared to comply with the following requirements:

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Summary judgment material references

The Court suggests using specific citations to docket lines, PDF pages, deposition transcript page and line, and pleading or affidavit page and paragraph numbers.

The Court also suggests that any references to the materials in support of/opposition to the motion be in the form of a specific citation to the docket line, pdf pages, page/line of the deposition transcript, and the page number/paragraph number of pleadings and affidavits.