Judge Robert T. Watson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Filings > 20 pages
- Hand Delivery • Seven Calendar Days Prior To Hearing
Notice Of Cancellation
- Email • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Motion calendar hearings may not be canceled within 24 hours of the hearing unless both parties have agreed.
- Only the Court can cancel a special set hearing; a proposed Notice of Cancellation stating the reason must be uploaded to courtMAP and chambers contacted immediately, and the Court will cancel only upon good cause.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Proposed orders must be submitted in Word format on the courtMAP pre-generated Blank Order form.
Proposed orders mailed to Chambers are not accepted, must be submitted in Word format on the courtMAP pre-generated Blank Order form
DOCX
Special set documents must be in PDF format.
All documents must be submitted electronically via courtMAP in pdf format.
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
A request for a special set hearing of more than one hour must attach the motion and supporting documents and state the time sought and the reason.
Please ensure the motion is attached, any supporting documents, the amount of time you are seeking, and the reason for seeking that amount of time.
Document Type
Special Set Request
Agreed orders must be submitted using the Agreed Order option in courtMAP or they will not be titled 'Agreed'.
If you are submitting an Agreed Order, please select the Agreed Order option; otherwise, the order will not be titled "Agreed".
Document Type
Proposed Order
A proposed Notice of Cancellation specifying the reason must be uploaded as a separate courtMAP submission, and chambers must be contacted immediately.
Prepare the proposed Notice of Cancellation (NOC), specifying the reason for the cancellation, and upload it as a separate submission to the courtMAP hearing event; and immediately contact chambers to advise that the proposed NOC has been uploaded.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
Each supporting document must be submitted separately and properly titled, opposing counsel must upload any opposition, and all relevant documentation must be uploaded or the request will be rejected.
Each supporting document must be submitted separately and each must be properly titled for ease of review. Once counsel has uploaded their motion for consideration along with the special set hearing request form, opposing counsel must upload any opposition to the motion. All relevant documentation must be uploaded or the special set hearing request will be rejected.
Document Type
Supporting Document
When scheduling a special set hearing, include the full name of the motion(s), the docket index number(s), and the date(s) filed.
To ensure courtMAP generates an accurate Notice of Hearing, please be sure to include the full name of the motion(s), the docket index number(s), and date(s) filed when scheduling your special set hearing.
Document Type
Special Set Request
Original loan documents must not be filed or delivered until instructed; after judgment the Final Judgment is uploaded via courtMAP and the originals are delivered to chambers with tracked delivery.
Do not file or deliver original loan documents until Judge Watson specifically instructs you to do so. If motion is granted or mortgagee prevails at trial, the Final Judgment is to be uploaded via courtMAP and the Original Note/Loan Documents are to be delivered to Judge Watson's Chambers, Osvaldo Soto Justice Center, Room 13.235. Use delivery with tracking.
Document Type
Final Judgment
A proposed order must be accompanied by a motion and supporting documents.
Proposed orders mailed to Chambers are not accepted, must be submitted in Word format on the courtMAP pre-generated Blank Order form, and accompanied with a motion and supporting documents.
Document Type
Proposed Order
An Order of Dismissal must specify whether dismissal applies to an individual, a defendant, or all defendants.
When submitting an Order of Dismissal, specify whether the Dismissal applies to an individual, defendant, or all defendants. Failure to do so may cause the Court to enter an Order Dismissing the entire case.
Document Type
Order Of Dismissal
Evidentiary special set hearings must be indicated on the Special Set Request Form.
Evidentiary Special Sets: If your Special Set hearing is an Evidentiary hearing, please indicate as such on the Special Set Request Form so that the court can schedule the appearance of a clerk at the hearing.
Document Type
Special Set Request Form
The Notice of Hearing must include the full name of the motion(s), the docket index number(s), and the date(s) filed.
Please be sure to include the full name of the motion(s), the docket index number(s), and date(s) filed in the Notice of Hearing.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Orders must contain all required information with no blanks left, or the matter must be submitted on the motion calendar.
Orders must contain all information required (i.e., no blanks shall be left), or case must be submitted on motion calendar.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The title of a proposed/agreed order must be typed in courtMAP's title box, not in the body of the order.
When submitting your proposed/agreed order, the title of the order must be typed in the title box provided by courtMAP, not in the body of the proposed/agreed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Filing a Notice of Hearing for special set hearings is prohibited.
DO NOT FILE A NOTICE OF HEARING FOR SPECIAL SETS.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
All proposed orders must be filed via courtMAP in Word format on the courtMAP Blank Order form, accompanied by a motion and supporting documents; mailed proposed orders are not accepted.
Please file all proposed Orders via courtMAP under Proposed Orders. Proposed orders mailed to Chambers are not accepted, must be submitted in Word format on the courtMAP pre-generated Blank Order form, and accompanied with a motion and supporting documents.
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
All special set documents must be submitted electronically via courtMAP in PDF format.
All documents must be submitted electronically via courtMAP in pdf format.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Emergency motions must be filed via courtMap using the Emergency Motion workflow.
Please submit the filed Emergency Motion via courtMap following these steps: Workbench > New > Emergency Motion > Input Case Number
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Motion calendar hearings are scheduled via courtMap with the filed motion(s) and all supporting documents attached, and a Notice of Hearing must still be prepared, filed, and served.
To Make Calendar: Select available date and time via courtMap. The filed motion(s) and all documents in support must be attached when the hearing is scheduled. Once a green "Success" message appears, the hearing has made calendar. You must still prepare, file, and serve a Notice of Hearing.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
To schedule a special set hearing, all required documents must be submitted via courtMAP or the request will be rejected.
To Schedule a Hearing: You must submit the completed Special Set Hearing Request Form, the motion(s), exhibits, affidavits, transcripts, legal authority, and other relevant documents (e.g., the operative Complaint for a Motion to Dismiss) via courtMAP. If one or more supporting documents are missing, your special set request will be rejected.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
E-filing a Notice for Readiness of Trial through the e-filing portal will not place a case on the trial docket.
Please note e-filing a Notice for Readiness of Trial through the e-filing portal will not get you on the trial docket.
Page 1 | Hearing Documents
Notices for Trial must be uploaded as a Supporting Document through courtMAP when requesting a trial date; foreclosure matters should be noticed as non-jury trials.
Notices for Trial must be uploaded as a Supporting Document through courtMAP when requesting a trial date. Foreclosure matters should be Noticed as a Non-Jury Trial.
Page 1 | Hearing Documents
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Notice of a motion calendar hearing must be given at least 3 business days before the hearing.
Notice Before Hearing: 3 Business Days
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Any response must be submitted via courtMap at least 3 business days before the motion calendar hearing.
Responses: Submit the filed Response, if any, via courtMap to the "Motion Calendar" case number and hearing date at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing date.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
The Court will review an emergency motion and communicate a response within 24 hours.
The Court will review the Emergency Motion and communicate within 24 hours.
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A special set hearing is not scheduled until the courtMAP submission receives 'Approved' status, after which the court-generated Notice of Hearing is automatically filed.
Although a Notice of Hearing is automatically generated, the hearing is not scheduled until you receive an email that specifically reflects the status as "Approved." If approved, the court-generated Notice of Hearing will be automatically filed with the Clerk's Office.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Courtesy Copy Requirements
For any motion or response over 20 pages, a single-sided hard copy must be provided to chambers at least 7 calendar days before the hearing.
* For any Motion or Response longer than 20 pages, please provide a hard copy (single-sided) to chambers at least 7 calendar days prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
A noticing party may cancel via courtMap after filing the Notice of Cancellation and emailing a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant.
The party that noticed the hearing may cancel via courtMap after it files its Notice of Cancellation and e-mails a courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation to the Judicial Assistant at emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Filing Bundling Requirements
Hearing binders with cited authorities are encouraged for special set hearings.
Hearing binders with cited authorities are encouraged.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Movants must meet and confer with opposing counsel before scheduling or noticing any hearing, and unilateral hearing setting is prohibited.
Any movant scheduling and noticing a hearing (Motion Calendar and Special Set) before this Court must meet and confer with opposing counsel in order to attempt to resolve any and all issues possible. Unilateral setting of hearings is not permitted.
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Post-trial motions are not set for hearing unless the Court instructs; the motion is emailed to the Judicial Assistant and the Court instructs the parties how to proceed.
Motions for Reconsideration, Rehearing, New Trial, and other post-trial motions (excluding Entitlement to Fees and Costs: These motions will not be heard on motion calendar and should not be set for hearing unless instructed to do so by the Court. Email your motion to emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org. The Court will review the motion and instruct the parties on how to proceed.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Only the Court can cancel a special set hearing; a proposed Notice of Cancellation stating the reason must be uploaded to courtMAP and chambers contacted immediately, and the Court will cancel only upon good cause.
Cancellation Policy: Only the Court can cancel a special set hearing. Prepare the proposed Notice of Cancellation (NOC), specifying the reason for the cancellation, and upload it as a separate submission to the courtMAP hearing event; and immediately contact chambers to advise that the proposed NOC has been uploaded. The Court will review the proposed NOC, and, if good cause is shown, will cancel the special set hearing. If the hearing is canceled, the NOC must be filed with the Clerk's Office.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Motion calendar hearings may not be canceled within 24 hours of the hearing unless both parties have agreed.
Cancellations: Unless both parties have agreed, cancellations are not allowed within 24 hours of the hearing.
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Chambers Communication Rules
Emails to the judicial assistant must copy all parties.
JA's email: rbarberycronembold@jud11.flcourts.org - (Copy to all parties required).
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If the Court has not responded within 24 hours, counsel must follow up by calling chambers.
If you have not received a communication from the Court within 24 hours, please follow up by calling chambers.
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Post-trial motions (except fee/cost entitlement motions) are not heard on motion calendar and must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant rather than set for hearing.
Motions for Reconsideration, Rehearing, New Trial, and other post-trial motions (excluding Entitlement to Fees and Costs: These motions will not be heard on motion calendar and should not be set for hearing unless instructed to do so by the Court. Email your motion to emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org. The Court will review the motion and instruct the parties on how to proceed.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Special set hearings longer than one hour must be requested by email to the Judicial Assistant with all parties copied.
Special Sets for more than one (1) hour: If you would like to request a Special Set hearing that is more than one (1) hour, please send an email to the Judicial Assistant at emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org with all parties copied.
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form