Judge Benjamin J. Rich
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- No Later Than Three Business Days Before Any Evidentiary Proceeding
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
Format: Proposed orders should be submitted in Microsoft Word format using the Court’s division email address: division67@circuit7.org. PDF orders will not be accepted.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
The Court must accept your exhibits at a trial or hearing. Original exhibits should be pre-marked before the hearing with the Clerk of Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Note
Format: Electronic submission in PDF format to the Judicial Assistant is the preferred method.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Note
Parties are encouraged to pre-mark original exhibits by labelling them with an “A,” “B,” etc. prior to any trials or hearings.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The Court will not accept texts, photos, or videos that are only available on a cell phone, tablet, or laptop. You must print off copies of texts or photos. You must save videos to a flash drive.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
It is recommended that you bring a laptop to the trial or hearing with you to help display videos on the flash drive, and then leave the flash drive with the Clerk of Court.
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A party may schedule a hearing unilaterally only after reasonable good-faith coordination efforts fail, and the notice must identify the unilateral scheduling and include a written certification of those efforts.
Before scheduling any hearing, the party requesting the hearing time shall make good faith reasonable efforts to coordinate the date and time of the hearing with all opposing parties. If, after making good faith reasonable efforts, the party is unable to coordinate a mutually agreeable date and time, a party may then unilaterally schedule the hearing. The notice of hearing shall indicate that it is unilaterally scheduled, and the party (or counsel) must certify in writing that they have made good faith, reasonable efforts to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing with the opposing parties.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
A notice of hearing must include the specified case, hearing, motion, judge, and time-reservation details, Zoom information when applicable, and the required ADA notification.
A notice of hearing must include the following minimum information: the case style including case number; the date, time, and location of the hearing; the matter(s) to be heard including docket number or filing date of each motion; the judge presiding over the hearing; and the amount of time reserved for the hearing. A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Zoom meeting information. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
The written notice required for an ex parte discovery-compulsion request must be attached to the motion to compel.
Ex-Parte Orders Compelling Discovery: If you are sending in a proposed ex-parte order compelling the production of discovery, you must comply with Administrative Order CV-2022-004-SC which requires written notice to the opposing party giving 10 days to provide discovery and attaching that notice to the motion to compel.
DocumentMotion To Compel
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Mandatory
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) the reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
DocumentEmergency Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Notices shall not specify that a hearing is by Zoom only since in-person appearances are permitted at any hearing and is required for all evidentiary hearings and hearings scheduled for one hour or longer.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Please do not submit the same order multiple times.
DocumentProposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026Important
Agreed Orders: If the proposed order is agreed, the email should indicate agreement and the title of the order should be “Agreed Order…” or “Unopposed Order…”
DocumentProposed Order
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.Mandatory?
Please prepare a NOTICE OF HEARING and include the following: 1. Motion(s) to be heard 2. The Notice must specify the location of the hearing. 3. For hearings in which Zoom attendance is permitted, Zoom access information is located below and on the Court’s webpage at www.circuit7.org 4. Time reserved for the hearing
Machine summary and details
Summary: A Notice of Hearing must identify the motions to be heard, the hearing location, applicable Zoom access information, and the time reserved.
DocumentNotice Of Hearing
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The scheduling party must file and serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the party scheduling the hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A notice of cancellation must be filed and served immediately on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | Cancelling Hearings
Submit proposed orders within 10 days after a hearing unless the Court instructs otherwise.
Deadline for Submissions: Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing, unless otherwise instructed by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The scheduling party must file and serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served by the party scheduling the hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A notice of cancellation must be filed and served immediately on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | Cancelling Hearings
A proposed ex parte order compelling discovery requires written notice giving the opposing party 10 days to provide discovery, and the notice must be attached to the motion to compel.
Ex-Parte Orders Compelling Discovery: If you are sending in a proposed ex-parte order compelling the production of discovery, you must comply with Administrative Order CV-2022-004-SC which requires written notice to the opposing party giving 10 days to provide discovery and attaching that notice to the motion to compel.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Parties may submit additional memoranda or legal authorities for the Court’s review at least three business days before the hearing, and must send copies to all opposing parties simultaneously.
The Court welcomes the filing of additional memoranda of law or copies of legal authority (statutes, regulations, case law) the parties desire for the Court to review at least three (3) business days before the hearing. A copy must be sent to all opposing parties simultaneously.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies for an evidentiary proceeding must be delivered to the court at least three business days beforehand.
Deadline for Submissions: Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three (3) business days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law are optional and may be submitted for any proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law are never required but may be submitted to the Court for any proceeding.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only if good cause is shown.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Emails directed to the judicial office must copy all parties unless the communication is authorized by law to be ex parte.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
To cancel a hearing, notify the Judicial Assistant immediately by email and phone.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the Judicial Assistant immediately by email and phone at 904-827-5652.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 4 | Cancelling Hearings
Communications to the judicial office must go through the Judicial Assistant by email or phone; email is preferred and should identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
Method of Communication: Direct communications with the judge are not allowed. All communications to the judicial office must be made to the Judicial Assistant Carolyn Ryan by phone to 904-827-5652 or by e-mail to cryan@circuit7.org. The subject line of emails should contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 102800 COCI – Smith v. Jones – copy of case law for hearing). Emails are the preferred method of communication.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
After filing an emergency motion, a party should email a copy of the motion to the Judicial Assistant to schedule a hearing.
After filing the emergency motion, a party should contact the Judicial Assistant to schedule a hearing by emailing a copy of a Motion.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 6 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
If a proposed order has not been entered within a reasonable time, its status may be requested by emailing Judicial Assistant Carolyn Ryan.
If you have submitted a proposed order and it has not been entered within a reasonable time, you may inquire regarding the status by emailing Judicial Assistant, Carolyn Ryan.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 10, 2026
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
The Division 67 email address may be used only to submit proposed orders, not other pleadings or requests.
The Division 67 email is solely for the purpose of submitting proposed orders. Do not submit other pleadings or requests via this division email address.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments