Judge Sarah A. Bell
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law
- Upon request
Courtesy copies
- At Least 3 Days Before Hearing
Trial Or Hearing Set Memo
Court-wideAdjournments
- A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
- Unless good cause is shown, the continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party.
- Continuances are disfavored and may be granted only when good cause is shown.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements9 rules
The party must bring hard-copy exhibits to court on the hearing date, including copies for the plaintiff/petitioner, defendant/respondent, and judge.
On the day of the hearing, please bring in hard copies of the exhibits to Court. (A copy for the Plaintiff/Petitioner, Defendant/Respondent, and the Judge).
Paper
Recording any judicial proceeding is prohibited unless the court expressly authorizes it.
The recording of any judicial proceeding, whether in-person or via videoconference, is strictly prohibited, unless expressly authorized by the Court.
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of every exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party to use during the hearing or trial.
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.
Exhibits for evidentiary proceedings must be submitted to the court clerk in paper format.
Exhibits must be submitted to the Clerk of the Court in paper format.
Paper
A person appearing by Zoom must identify themselves by legal name and turn on the video function.
The person appearing on Zoom must use their legal name to identify themselves and have the video function turned on.
Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted in PDF or Word format.
Format: PDF or Word document.
All proposed orders must be submitted according to the court’s published e-filing instructions.
All proposed orders must be submitted using the instructions found at https://www.jud4.org/proposed-orders-efiling.
Voluminous courtesy copies must be placed on a flash drive and delivered to the court for destruction because they have already been filed with the clerk.
If voluminous, parties must place courtesy copies on a flash drive and deliver to the Court with permission for the Court to destroy because these copies have been filed with the Clerk.
Each exhibit must be labeled as “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant A.” as applicable.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.’
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
A hearing date and time are not secured until the moving party files the Notice of Hearing.
Hearing dates and times are not secured until the moving party files the Notice of Hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A notice of hearing for a remote appearance must list the judge’s Zoom Meeting ID.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance will list the Judge’s Zoom Meeting ID.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
The moving party must file and serve a notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing will be filed by the moving party and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A witness or custodial witness may appear by Zoom only if a motion is filed with the court and provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Witnesses or Custodial Witnesses may appear via Zoom if a Motion is filed with the Court and provided to the Judicial Assistant.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Request
A party seeking an emergency hearing must file a detailed motion identifying the issues, the reasons emergency relief 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.
Document Type
Emergency Hearing Motion
Every notice of hearing must contain the required ADA notification.
All notices of hearing should contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Requests for communication technology at an appearance must be made by motion, and the moving party does not need to submit a proposed order through the portal.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion. The moving party does NOT need to submit a proposed order through the portal.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Request
The division's prescribed forms must accompany every filing for which they apply.
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
Document Type
Relevant Filings
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A motion to adopt a confidential settlement agreement must be electronically filed with the clerk and then emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
If the parties enter into a Confidential Settlement Agreement, a Motion to Adopt Confidential Settlement Agreement must be e-filed with the Clerk of Court and then emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 6 | I. Setting Case for Trial
A fully executed stipulated agreement must be electronically filed with the clerk and then emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
A fully executed stipulated agreement must be e-filed with the Clerk of Court and then emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 6 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All hearing materials must be received by the court 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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Counsel must submit the remote-appearance request no later than five days before the hearing.
Counsel must submit a request for remote appearance to the Court no later than five (5) days prior to the hearing.
Page 3 | C. Remote Appearance
An administrative pass-date request must be submitted 48 hours before the scheduled court hearing.
The deadline to request an administrative pass date is 48 hours before the scheduled court hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted within ten days after the hearing unless the court orders otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted within ten (10) days after any hearing unless Court orders otherwise.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers three (3) days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Before requesting an administrative pass date, the requesting party must obtain the other party’s written position and forward it to the Judicial Assistant with the request.
The party making the request must first contact the other party to obtain their position in writing. Once their position has been obtained in writing, it should be forwarded to the Judicial Assistant with the request.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The moving party must file and serve the Notice of Hearing.
The moving party must file and serve the notice of hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 to update their contact information whenever the email account registered for electronic service changes.
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.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted to the court for every evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law must be submitted to the Court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must reach the court at least three days before the hearing, with copies provided to all other parties simultaneously.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court at least three (3) days prior to the hearing with copies provided to all other parties at the same time.
Page 5 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must be submitted electronically.
Courtesy copies shall be submitted via electronic
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
A request for continuance must be submitted at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled court date.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Continuances are disfavored and may be granted only when good cause is shown.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Unless good cause is shown, the continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party.
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 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email to the Judicial Assistant.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to jcaliendo@coj.net.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All parties must be copied on email sent to the judicial office unless legally authorized ex parte communication is being made.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearing cancellation must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with opposing counsel copied, and the cancellation must be confirmed with and by the Judicial Assistant.
Notification of cancellation must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with a copy to opposing counsel. Cancellation of a hearing MUST be confirmed with and by the Judicial Assistant.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Only the party that set a hearing may cancel it.
Only the party setting a hearing may cancel it.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The email subject line must include the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
For a hearing longer than 15 minutes in a small claims or county civil case, the requesting party should email the Judicial Assistant with the other party copied to obtain availability.
The party requesting the hearing should email the Judicial Assistant, with the other party copied, to obtain availability.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the Court.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
For a 15-minute hearing in a small claims or county civil case, the requesting party should contact the Clerk for availability and then coordinate with the opposing party.
The party requesting a hearing on a motion should contact the Clerk of Court at 904-548-4600 to obtain availability and then coordinate with opposing counsel or party if unrepresented.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
After receiving available dates and times from the Judicial Assistant, the parties should remove the Judicial Assistant from the email thread and coordinate directly with each other.
The Judicial Assistant will provide dates and times. The parties should then remove the Judicial Assistant from the email to coordinate with each other.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
After filing the remote-appearance motion, the moving party should email the Judicial Assistant to notify the court.
After the motion is filed, the moving party should email the Judicial Assistant at jcaliendo@coj.net to inform the Court that the motion has been filed.
Page 4 | C. Remote Appearance
When a case settles, the parties must immediately email the Judicial Assistant so the court can remove it from the trial calendar.
If the case settles, the parties shall immediately notify the Court, by emailing the Judicial Assistant at jcaliendo@coj.net, so that it may be removed from the trial calendar.
Page 6 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Urgent emails receive automated instructions when the Judicial Assistant is out of the office, while non-urgent emails are answered after the Judicial Assistant returns.
If the Judicial Assistant is out of the office, an automatic email reply will provide instructions on how to get assistance for urgent matters. Emails that are not urgent will be answered upon the Judicial Assistant’s return to the office.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Counsel are expected to promptly respond to the moving party's attorney to facilitate hearing scheduling.
It is expected that all counsel will promptly respond to the moving party’s attorney to facilitate this process.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice.
The Judicial Assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Before the case management conference, the parties may jointly email the Judicial Assistant a Trial Set Memorandum identifying the proposed mediator and trial weeks.
The parties may also jointly submit a Trial Set Memorandum prior to the Case Management Conference and provide it by e-mail to the Judicial Assistant at jcaliendo@coj.net along with (i) the proposed mediator and (ii) the proposed trial week(s).
Page 5 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
A civil trial will be set by the judge in open court, or the parties may email the Judicial Assistant to request trial setting.
Civil: Trials will be set by the Judge in open court, or the parties may email the Judicial Assistant to set a trial at jcaliendo@coj.net.
Page 6 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Interpreter service requests may be submitted by email to crtintrp@coj.net or by telephone at (904)255-1010.
Requests for interpreter services (foreign language and sign language) should be directed to the Court Interpreter Program Manager, crtintrp@coj.net or by telephone at (904)255-1010.
Page 7 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office