Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements10 rules
3. All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Word format
4. All proposed orders must be in DJCMA format (see #6 & 7 below)
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •DJCMA format
2. All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format.
- File type
- Cover letter
All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format.
- File type
- Cover letter
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format
All proposed orders must be in DJCMA format (see #6 & 7 below)
Please label the documents submitted to the drop box so that they can be easily identified
If documents being submitted include exhibits for an evidentiary hearing, please premark the exhibits and identify the party intending to introduce the exhibit. Counsel should agree on the method being used to identify the exhibits (such as one side using numbers and the opposing side using letters, or using party ID before the number/letter).
If documents being submitted include exhibits for an evidentiary hearing, please premark the exhibits and identify the party intending to introduce the exhibit.
Counsel should agree on the method being used to identify the exhibits (such as one side using numbers and the opposing side using letters, or using party ID before the number/letter).
Document Filing Requirements21 rules
Counsel must provide the judicial assistant with a copy of the notice of hearing.
Court's wording
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).
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.
Court's wording
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
Use Bay County or Holmes County case number and style of case as your subject line
3. Include Zoom instructions above in any notices for hearing
- Document
- Notice of hearing
Include
- •Include the Zoom instructions above
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.
9. Any proposed order not complying with the above instructions will not be entered
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.”
Court's wording
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.
Obtain opposing counsel's consent to the form of the order and deadlines included therein.
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.
All proposed orders must include a cover letter in .pdf format.
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.
Any proposed order not complying with the above instructions will not be entered
Include the Zoom instructions (if applicable) in any notices.
- Document
- Notice of hearing
Include
- •Include the Zoom instructions (if applicable)
There is no room number – just list as Judge Roberts’s Chambers.
Include
- •Judge Roberts’s Chambers
All matters set on the motion calendar should be noticed to start at 9:00 am (CST)
Include Zoom instructions, if applicable, above in any notices for hearing
The cover letter should indicate whether the proposed order is agreed to by opposing counsel/party or not.
5. Proposed orders do not need to include the addresses or email addresses of recipients of the order at the end.
Proposed orders do not need to include the addresses or email addresses of recipients of the order at the end.
However, additional copies of motions, memoranda already filed with the clerk or other documents which are already in the court file (unless attached to or incorporated in other filings and not easily accessible or identifiable) do not need to be submitted again prior to the hearing.
However, filing such a notice and providing such to any opposing counsel or party (especially in the case of opposing pro se parties) is considered good professionalism and courtesy.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be submitted electronically through the 14th Judicial Circuit’s e-filing portal.
1. All proposed orders must be submitted via the 14th Judicial Circuit’s e-filing portal.
Page 6 | Civil – Submission of Proposed Orders
Proposed orders must be submitted through the 14th Judicial Circuit’s e-filing portal.
All proposed orders must be submitted via the 14th Judicial Circuit’s e-filing portal.
Page 13 | Family Law – Submission of Proposed Orders
Do not email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant.
DO NOT email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant
Page 14 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials
Either the movant or the party opposing the motion may submit documents to the OneDrive drop box.
Either the movant or party opposing the motion may submit documents to the drop box
Page 7 | Civil – Submission of Hearing Materials
The preferred method for submitting hearing materials is the Microsoft OneDrive drop box; if using it is impossible, materials may be mailed in hard copy.
In lieu of sending an email with attachments or hard copies of hearing materials, all hearing materials should be submitted via Microsoft OneDrive drop box. The procedures of obtaining the drop box are: 3. Use of the OneDrive drop box is the preferred method to submit materials to the Court in advance of a hearing. If it is impossible to use the drop box, materials may be submitted in hard copy format, to be mailed so that the documents are received at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 7 | Civil – Submission of Hearing Materials
OneDrive is the preferred method for submitting hearing materials; if it cannot be used, hard copies may be mailed to arrive at least two business days before the hearing.
In lieu of sending an email with attachments or hard copies of hearing materials, all hearing materials should be submitted via Microsoft OneDrive drop box. The procedures of obtaining the drop box are: 3. Use of the OneDrive drop box is the preferred method to submit materials to the Court in advance of a hearing. If it is impossible to use the drop box, materials may be submitted in hard copy format, to be mailed so that the documents are received at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 14 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Do not file a notice of hearing until the judicial assistant confirms by email that the hearing is set.
DO NOT file a notice of hearing before receiving a confirmation email from the judicial assistant confirming that the hearing has been set
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Wait for the judicial assistant to confirm the added motion before preparing or filing its notice.
The judicial assistant will confirm the addition of the motion to the hearing time. Do not prepare and file a notice of the added motion until receipt of the judicial assistant’s confirmation.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Submit hearing materials at least two business days before the hearing, except that materials already in the court file generally need not be resubmitted unless they are not easily accessible or identifiable.
Any documentation being used or relied upon at a hearing that a party wants the Court to review and consider must be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to the date of the hearing. This includes: - a. Exhibits - b. Memoranda not previously filed with the clerk - c. Copies of case law, statutes or other citations - d. Any demonstrative aides - e. Any other documentation that a party intends to use at the hearing However, additional copies of motions, memoranda already filed with the clerk or other documents which are already in the court file (unless attached to or incorporated in other filings and not easily accessible or identifiable) do not need to be submitted again prior to the hearing.
Page 7 | Civil – Submission of Hearing Materials
If it is impossible to use the drop box, materials may be submitted in hard copy format, to be mailed so that the documents are received at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing.
If it is impossible to use the drop box, materials may be submitted in hard copy format, to be mailed so that the documents are received at least two (2) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 7 | Civil – Submission of Hearing Materials
Do not prepare or file a notice of an added motion until the judicial assistant confirms the addition.
Do not prepare and file a notice of the added motion until receipt of the judicial assistant's confirmation.
Page 10 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
Materials a party wants the Court to review and consider at a hearing must be submitted at least two business days before the hearing.
Any documentation being used or relied upon at a hearing that a party wants the Court to review and consider must be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to the date of the hearing.
Page 14 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Counsel receiving a served copy of an entered order must serve the signed order by mail or email on any party not registered for e-portal service.
Counsel receiving the served copy of an order entered is then charged with responsibility for serving (via mail or email) a copy of the signed order on any party not registered to receive service via the e-portal.
Page 6 | Civil – Submission of Proposed Orders
Counsel who submitted a proposed order must serve the signed order on anyone not registered to receive service through the e-portal.
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.
Page 6 | Civil – Submission of Proposed Orders
A copy of the signed order will be served electronically on counsel and parties registered for service through the e-portal.
A copy of the signed order will be served on all counsel/parties registered for service via the e-portal.
Page 6 | Civil – Submission of Proposed Orders
The OneDrive drop-box request email must be copied to all other counsel or parties.
The email request shall be copied to all other counsel or parties.
Page 14 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials
The judge’s office will not mail copies of orders.
The judge’s office will not mail out copies of any orders.
Page 6 | Civil – Submission of Proposed Orders
Filing a cancellation notice and providing it to opposing counsel or a party is recommended as a matter of professionalism and courtesy.
However, filing such a notice and providing such to any opposing counsel or party (especially in the case of opposing pro se parties) is considered good professionalism and courtesy.
Page 8 | Civil – Cancellations
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
If extensive argument occurs, the hearing will be continued to a later time certain under the General Procedures.
If extensive argument occurs, the hearing will be continued to a later time, to be set for a time certain under the General Procedures on Page 2.
Page 3 | Civil – Hearing Time — Motion Calendar Docket
Chambers Communication Rules
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.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
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.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
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).
Page 3 | Civil – Hearing Time — Motion Calendar Docket
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
Page 4 | Civil – Trial Dates
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.
Page 4 | Civil – Trial Dates
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).
Page 4 | Civil – Trial Dates
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.
Page 4 | Civil – Trial Dates
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
Page 4 | Civil – Trial Dates
Do not email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant.
DO NOT email copies of hearing documents to the judicial assistant
Page 7 | Civil – Submission of Hearing Materials
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.
Page 7 | Civil – Submission of Hearing Materials
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.
Page 8 | Civil – Cancellations
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.
Page 10 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
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
Page 10 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
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.
Page 11 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
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.
Page 14 | Family Law – Submission of Hearing Materials
A hearing-time request email must state the motions to be heard, argument time needed, the movant’s first available date, and the names of attending attorneys.
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 - d. Names of attorneys that will attend hearing
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Read the entire email from the judicial assistant.
READ ENTIRE EMAIL.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Use email to the judicial assistant to request hearing dates and confirm the hearing date.
Only email the judicial assistant to request dates and confirm the hearing date.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Do not include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel or staff.
DO NOT include the judicial assistant in email chains between counsel and/or staff to clear dates (or anything else).
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Do not call the judge’s office to request a hearing time.
DO NOT call the judge’s office to request hearing time.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
After filing, email the judicial assistant a copy of every notice for hearing.
Email the judicial assistant a copy of all notices for hearing once filed
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Request hearing time by emailing the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel, and using the county case number and case style as the subject line.
Email request for hearing time to Judge Roberts’s assistant, Melanie Baggett, and CC opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to baggettm@jud14.flcourts.org. Use Bay or Holmes County case number and style of case as your subject line.
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
Counsel should anticipate giving one to two weeks’ advance notice when setting a motion-calendar hearing.
It is anticipated that counsel can set hearings on the motion calendar docket with one to two week advanced notice.
Page 3 | Civil – Hearing Time — Motion Calendar Docket
Motion-calendar slots are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-confirmed basis.
Slots on each motion calendar docket are limited. Slots on a particular motion calendar docket will be given on a first come, first confirmed basis.
Page 3 | Civil – Hearing Time — Motion Calendar Docket
Appearances by Zoom or in person should be confirmed with Judge Roberts's judicial assistant.
Appearance by Zoom or in person should be confirmed with Judge Roberts's judicial assistant.
Page 5 | Civil – Zoom Instructions
Notify the judicial assistant as promptly as possible when canceling a hearing so the time can be opened for other cases.
In the event of a cancellation of a hearing, please notify the judicial assistant as promptly as possible to open the time for other cases.
Page 8 | Civil – Cancellations
Notify the judicial assistant when a case set for trial settles, even if other matters remain, but wait to request removal from the trial docket if settlement depends on agreement to the form of an agreement or release.
In the event of a settlement of a case set for trial, please notify the judicial assistant that the matter has settled so it can be removed from the trial docket, even if there are still matters remaining to be concluded (filing dismissal, signing of agreed upon settlement agreement, exchange of payment, etc.). However, if a settlement is contingent upon the agreement to the form of an agreement and/or release, please wait until the language of the agreement and/or release is agreed to by all parties prior to requesting a matter be removed from the trial docket.
Page 8 | Civil – Cancellations
Do not call the judge’s office to request hearing time.
DO NOT call the judge’s office to request hearing time
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
Request hearing time by emailing Judge Roberts’s assistant and copying opposing counsel.
Email request for hearing time to Judge Roberts’s assistant, Melanie Baggett, and CC opposing counsel. These requests can be sent to baggettm@jud14.flcourts.org.
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
Use the Bay or Holmes County case number and case style as the subject line.
Use Bay or Holmes County case number and style of case as your subject line
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
Email the judicial assistant only to request dates or confirm a hearing date, 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).
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
A hearing-time request email must state the matters to be heard, argument time needed, the movant’s first available date, and the attorneys or parties attending.
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 #6 below - c. First date movant is available for hearing - d. Names of attorneys/parties that will attend hearing
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
Read the judicial assistant’s entire reply, which provides available dates, times, and instructions; Bay and Holmes Counties are in the central time zone.
Judicial assistant will “reply all” to the email with available dates, times and instructions. READ ENTIRE EMAIL. Be aware that Bay and Holmes Counties are in the central time zone.
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
In the event of a settlement of a case set for final hearing, please notify the judicial assistant that the matter has settled so it can be removed from the final hearing docket, even if there are still matters remaining to be concluded (filing of signed settlement agreement, entry of final judgment, etc.).
In the event of a settlement of a case set for final hearing, please notify the judicial assistant that the matter has settled so it can be removed from the final hearing docket, even if there are still matters remaining to be concluded (filing of signed settlement agreement, entry of final judgment, etc.).
Page 15 | Family Law – Cancellations
If settlement depends on agreement to the form of an agreement, wait until all parties agree on its language before requesting removal from the final hearing docket.
However, if a settlement is contingent upon the agreement to the form of an agreement, please wait until the language of the agreement is agreed to by all parties prior to requesting a matter be removed from the final hearing docket.
Page 15 | Family Law – Cancellations
A hearing-time request email may include a copy of the motion.
You may attach a copy of the motion(s) to the email
Page 2 | Civil – Hearing Time — General Procedures
The matter will be removed from the calendar when the judicial assistant receives the cancellation or settlement email, whether or not a notice has been filed, and no copy of a cancellation notice needs to be sent to the judicial assistant.
Upon receipt by the judicial assistant of the email canceling a hearing or notifying of a settlement, the matter will be removed from the calendar, whether or not a notice of cancellation has been filed. There is no need to send a copy of a notice of cancellation to the judicial assistant.
Page 8 | Civil – Cancellations
You may attach a copy of the petition or motion to the hearing-time request email.
You may attach a copy of the petition(s)/motion(s) to the email
Page 9 | Family Law – Hearing Time, General Procedures
Contact Judge Roberts's assistant to request a proposed-order form if one is needed.
If you need a form of the proposed order, contact Judge Roberts's assistant to request.
Page 11 | Family Law – Final Hearing Dates
The matter will be removed from the calendar when the judicial assistant receives the cancellation or settlement email, regardless of whether a cancellation notice has been filed.
Upon receipt by the judicial assistant of the email canceling a hearing or notifying of a settlement, the matter will be removed from the calendar, whether or not a notice of cancellation has been filed.
Page 15 | Family Law – Cancellations
A copy of a filed notice of cancellation does not need to be sent to the judicial assistant.
There is no need to send a copy of a notice of cancellation to the judicial assistant.
Page 15 | Family Law – Cancellations