Judge Michael F. Andrews
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- At Least 5 Business Days Before Judges Office Receipt
Emergency Motions
Ex Parte Motions
Motion, Notice Of Hearing
- Hand Delivery • Before Hearing
Adjournments
Court-wideRequest must include
Communication
Clerk, Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Document Format Requirements9 rules
Documents submitted for JAWS upload must be in PDF format.
All documents are to be uploaded as PDF documents.
The proposed order or judgment must be titled and uploaded by itself in the Document Title section’s browse area.
The order or judgment to be reviewed and signed goes in the Document Title section by itself. Title the document and then upload the order in the “browse” section.
The cover letter and any motion, stipulation, and exhibits must be combined into one PDF in the Include Cover Letter section.
The cover letter, (with any motion, stipulation and exhibits) should be uploaded in the Include Cover Letter section as one pdf file.
Orders containing blanks are prohibited from JAWS submission, will be rejected there, and must instead be mailed to the judge.
FILL IN ORDERS PROHIBITED: Any orders that have blanks to fill in will be rejected in JAWS. These must be mailed to the Judge.
A stipulation may accompany the explanatory cover letter, but the proposed order must be uploaded separately from the cover letter.
Any stipulations may be uploaded with the explanatory cover letter uploaded separately. The order must be uploaded separately from the cover letter.
Paper copies of case law and other legal authority are accepted but not preferred, and pertinent portions should be highlighted.
Paper copies of case law and other legal authority are accepted but not preferred. Pertinent portions should be highlighted.
A duplicate upload is unnecessary and should not be made for JAWS submissions.
It should never be necessary to make a duplicate upload. These create many problems.
Agreed orders submitted through JAWS should use two uploads: the order or judgment alone in one location and all supporting materials in a single document in the other location.
JAWS submissions of AGREED orders to the court should consist of two uploads:
Lengthy submissions should be divided into separately stapled or otherwise separated subparts, including cases and exhibits.
PLEASE break up lengthy submissions into subparts (cases, exhibits, etc.) that are stapled or otherwise divided.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
A telephonic-hearing notice must state that participants should call the Section conference line at 1-888-585-9008 and use conference line 712-414-081#, remain muted, and not place the call on hold.
THE HEARING IS TELEPHONIC AND ANY PARTY WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HEARING IS TO CALL THE SECTION CONFERENCE LINE. CALL IN NUMBER - 1 888 585 9008 AND CONFERENCE LINE NUMBER 712-414-081#. PLEASE MUTE ON YOUR END. DO NOT PLACE ON HOLD OR EVERYONE WILL ONLY HEAR MUSIC.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Trial dates, pretrial dates, and calendar calls will not be canceled merely because a party says the case has settled; a Notice of Settlement or Notice of Voluntary Dismissal must first be filed with the clerk.
Trial Dates, Pre-Trials and Calendar Calls will not be cancelled until the appropriate filing is made indicating that the case has been settled. Do not email the Judicial Assistant asking to remove those dates because the case has “settled” until the Notice of Settlement or Notice of Voluntary Dismissal has been filed with the Clerk.
Document Type
Notice Of Settlement Or Notice Of Voluntary Dismissal
A motion may be placed on the hearing calendar only with approval from both the court and opposing party or counsel; otherwise, the judge generally will not consider it unless necessity dictates.
A motion cannot be added to the calendar without approval of the Court and opposing party/counsel. If a Cross Notice of Hearing is filed without the approval of the Court, the Judge will not consider the motion unless necessity dictates.
Document Type
Cross Notice Of Hearing
A motion to compel discovery must quote in full each discovery item at issue and the opposing party’s stated objection and grounds.
Motions to compel discovery shall quote in full each interrogatory, question on deposition, request for admission or request for production to which the motion is addressed and the objection and grounds therefor as stated by the opposing party.
Document Type
Motion To Compel Discovery
A package submitted for consideration without a hearing should contain a cover letter, written-submission notice, motion, response, proposed order, sufficient copies of the order, and postage-paid envelopes for every party.
The package should include the cover letter, copies of the Notice of Request for Court to Consider Motion Based on Written Submissions Without Hearing, Motion, Response to the Motion and Proposed Order with sufficient copies of the order and postage-paid envelopes for all parties.
Document Type
Motion Package
The cover letter must include a Florida Bar member’s confirmation that the proposed order was shared with all non-defaulted parties and either received no form objection or received no timely specific objection after a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Your cover letter should include express confirmation by a member of the Florida Bar that the proposed order has been shared with all other non-defaulted parties, and that they have no objection as to its form or that they have failed to respond in a reasonable time with any specific objections.
Document Type
Cover Letter
Every proposed-order submission must include an explanatory cover letter.
You must include an explanatory cover letter.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The cover letter must be copied to all parties, including represented, pro se, and defaulted parties, and the copy list must reflect those recipients.
The cover letter must be copied to all parties, including pro se and defaulted parties and reflect the same on the cover letter.
Document Type
Cover Letter
A post-hearing proposed order must include a cover letter stating either that opposing counsel agrees or was given an opportunity to object but did not.
As provided by the Standards of Professional Courtesy for the Sixth Judicial Circuit ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER 2015-052 proposed orders shall be submitted to the Judge with a cover letter stating whether opposing counsel agrees to the proposed Order – or, that opposing counsel was given the opportunity to object to the proposed Order, but did not.
Document Type
Cover Letter
When an order reflects the judge’s post-hearing ruling, the cover letter must state that fact and identify the hearing date.
If your order is based on the judge's ruling after a hearing, state that fact, including the date of the hearing.
Document Type
Cover Letter
Absent very good cause, a motion to continue trial must be signed by the client and requires a hearing even if counsel stipulates to it.
Absent very good cause, such motions must be signed by the client, as provided by Rule 1.460, and will require a hearing even if stipulated to by counsel.
Document Type
Motion To Continue Trial
Upon filing a motion or notice to set a jury trial, counsel must schedule a 15-minute Case Management Conference, complete the court-approved order, and upload it to JAWS as a PDF for the judge’s signature.
Upon the filing of a Motion or Notice to Set Case for Jury Trial, counsel must set a fifteen-minute Case Management Conference on the calendar and complete the attached Order to Appear for Case Management Conference (SEE COURT APPROVED FORMS) and upload on JAWS as a PDF for the judge’s signature.
Document Type
Case Management Conference Order
The scheduler must include the Zoom link and all Zoom information in the Notice of Hearing.
The scheduler will be responsible for including the ZOOM link in the the Notice of Hearing with all the ZOOM information.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
A Notice of Hearing should not be sent until JAWS provides a second confirmation that the requested date and time have been scheduled.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND OUT A NOTICE OF HEARING UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A SECOND CONFIRMATION FROM JAWS THAT THE DATE/TIME REQUESTED HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Cases involving a pro se party generally require mailing the order to the judge with a cover letter, sufficient copies, and postage-paid envelopes for all parties.
Generally, the orders must be mailed to the Judge with a cover letter and sufficient copies of the order and postage-paid envelopes for all parties.
Document Type
Proposed Order
A transmittal submitting a proposed order should identify the hearing date.
Transmittals of proposed orders should always reference the date of hearing.
Document Type
Cover Letter
The party uploading a proposed order must confirm that all email addresses have been added to JAWS.
It is the responsibility of the party uploading a proposed order to confirm all email addresses have been added to JAWS.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A Foreclosure Summary Final Judgment may not be submitted through JAWS.
(Foreclosure Summary Final Judgment MAY NOT be submitted via JAWS).
Page 9 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
An order for a Senior Judge who presided during Judge Andrews’s absence must be mailed to that Senior Judge for signature.
If the order is for a Senior Judge that presided over a matter in Judge Andrew’s absence, the order MUST be sent in via US Mail for the Senior Judge to sign.
Page 9 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
Proposed orders may not be emailed to Section 20 absent a judge’s direction, and emailed orders will not be printed for the judge’s consideration.
Do not email proposed orders to section20@jud6.org unless directed by the Judge to do so. They will not be printed and given to the Judge for consideration.
Page 9 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
When the parties cannot agree on a proposed order, each should mail its own order with a cover letter explaining its objections and must not email or upload it through JAWS.
If the parties cannot agree on a proposed order, they should submit their own orders to the court by US Mail with a cover letter stating their objections. Do NOT email or upload the orders into JAWS.
Page 10 | PROPOSED ORDERS AFTER HEARING
Proposed orders may be submitted through JAWS for electronic signature or by U.S. Mail.
Section 20 utilizes the JAWS system for submission of orders. Orders may be uploaded to JAWS for Judge Andrews’s electronic signature or they may be sent in via US Mail.
Page 9 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
When a pro se party is involved, the proposed order should be mailed to the judge’s office with addressed, stamped envelopes.
If there is a pro se party, the order should be mailed to the Judge’s office with addressed, stamped envelopes.
Page 10 | ORDERS RELATING TO PRO SE PARTY
A case involving a pro se party may be uploaded through JAWS if that party has consented to email service and has been associated in JAWS, provided the cover letter states this.
If the pro se party has given permission to accept service by email and you have associated them in JAWS, then the cases with pro se parties may be uploaded into Jaws. The cover letter uploaded shall so state.
Page 10 | INSTRUCTIONS TO UPLOAD IN JAWS
When a party objects to the proposed order’s form, the order must be submitted by mail with an explanatory cover letter.
(If there is an objection, submit the order via mail with an explanatory cover letter.)
Page 10 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
Electronically conformed copies are provided only to email addresses associated with the case in JAWS.
Electronically conformed copies will only be provided to the email addresses which have been associated to the case in JAWS.
Page 11 | JAWS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The notice of hearing may not be filed until JAWS sends a confirmation email showing that the hearing has been scheduled.
PLEASE DO NOT FILE THE NOTICE OF HEARING UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL FROM JAWS THAT THE HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.
Page 5 | SCHEDULING HEARINGS IN JAWS
All documents intended for consideration at a telephonic hearing must reach the judge’s office by email or physical delivery method at least five business days before the hearing.
ALL DOCUMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE JUDGE’S OFFICE VIA EMAIL OR US MAIL/FEDEX/UPS/COURIER AT LEAST 5 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED HEARING.
Page 6 | NOTICE OF HEARING
A motion not scheduled for a hearing within 30 days after filing is deemed abandoned.
MOTIONS FILED, BUT NOT SET FOR HEARING: Any motions that have been filed but have not been set for a hearing within 30 days of the filing are deemed abandoned.
Page 8 | Motions Filed, But Not Set for Hearing
Sixteen days after filing the notice, the motion proponent should submit the motion, notice, any response, and a cover letter identifying which party requests a hearing.
The court requests that the proponent of the motion submit the following documentation 16 days after filing the notice: the motion, the notice, any response with a cover letter that states if either party is requesting a hearing.
Page 8 | Motions
A proposed order may not be sent to the court before the hearing.
Do not send proposed orders prior to hearing.
Page 9 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
The discovery cutoffs, deadlines, and provisions requiring counsel to meet about minor evidentiary problems in the order are binding.
The discovery cutoffs and deadlines provided by this order are binding, as are the provisions for counsel to meet to resolve minor evidentiary problems.
Page 13 | PRETRIAL AND TRIAL PRACTICE — Order Setting Pretrial Conference and Jury Trial
Deadlines agreed at the Case Management Conference and entered in the resulting order are binding and supersede deadlines in the pretrial and jury trial order.
The Court will enter a Case Management Conference Order with deadlines agreed to by the parties. These deadlines are binding and will supersede any deadlines in the Pre-trial and Jury Trial Order.
Page 13 | PRETRIAL AND TRIAL PRACTICE — Scheduling Jury Trials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A self-represented party who has not consented to email service must receive all pleadings and orders by U.S. mail.
If self-represented and have not given permission to use their email for service, then all pleadings and order should be sent by US Mail.
Page 6 | SCHEDULING HEARINGS IN JAWS
The moving party must verify counsel and associated-party information in JAWS so that all parties receive hearing scheduling and cancellation emails.
It is the moving party’s responsibility to confirm that all counsel/associated parties in the JAWS database to ensure all parties receive emails regarding the scheduling and cancellation of hearings.
Page 6 | SCHEDULING HEARINGS IN JAWS
Copies provided to the court, including any highlighting, must be provided to opposing counsel before the hearing begins.
Copies provided to the court (including any highlighting) shall be provided to opposing counsel before the start of the hearing.
Page 12 | Other Motion Practice
An opposing party may file a response within 15 days after service of the motion.
Opposing party may file a response within 15 days of service of the motion.
Page 13 | Motions for Rehearing/Reconsideration/New Trial
A nonmoving opposing party served with a listed foreclosure motion has 16 days to file a written response, after which the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
As provided by the AO, after being served with such motions, the nonmoving opposing party shall have 16 days to file a written response, after which the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
Page 14 | MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CASE PROCEDURE — Foreclosure Motions
Responses to non-evidentiary motions should be both filed and served so the court can prepare for the hearing.
The Court requests that all responses be filed and served so that the Court may properly prepare for the hearing.
Page 8 | Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
For UMC hearings, the scheduling party must email courtesy copies of the notice, motion, and supporting materials to Judge Andrews at least five business days before the hearing.
The scheduling party must send courtesy copies of the Notice, Motion, and all supporting documentation and/or evidence directly to Judge Andrews via email or to 315 Court Street, Room 468 Clearwater, FL 33756 via U.S. Mail/Fed Ex/UPS/Courier and must be received by the Judge’s office at least five (5) business 5 ===== PAGE 6 ===== days prior to the hearing.
Page 5 | SCHEDULING HEARINGS IN JAWS
An attorney filing an emergency motion must contact the judge’s office and provide the judge with a copy because the clerk does not forward emergency motions to the judge’s office.
When attorney’s e-file an emergency motion, the documents will be processed by the Clerk and will appear on the case docket in Odyssey faster. However, the Clerk does not forward them to the Judge’s office and accordingly, the Judge and JA are not aware of the filing. It is the attorney’s responsibility to contact the Judge’s office and provide the Judge with a copy of the motion.
Page 11 | Other Motion Practice
The party setting the hearing is responsible for providing the required courtesy copies, and failure to comply may result in cancellation of the hearing.
THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTY SETTING THE HEARING. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS PROCEDURE MAY RESULT IN CANCELLATION.
Page 12 | Other Motion Practice
Courtesy copies of the motion, notice of hearing, and supporting documentation may be delivered directly to Judge Andrews by hand, U.S. mail, FedEx, or UPS and must be received by the judge’s office at least five business days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies of the Motion, Notice of Hearing, and all supporting documentation (including any prior pleading to which a motion is directed) may be provided directly to Judge Andrews, 315 Court Street, Room 468, Clearwater, FL 33756 via Hand/U.S. Mail/Fed Ex/UPS to be filed and received by the judge’s office at least FIVE (5) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 12 | Other Motion Practice
The scheduling party must send Judge Andrews courtesy copies of the notice, summary-judgment motion, supporting materials, evidence, and proposed Uniform Final Judgment of Foreclosure, with the judge’s office receiving them at least five business days before the relevant event.
The scheduling party must send courtesy copies of the Notice, Motion, and all supporting documentation and/or evidence and proposed Uniform Final Judgment of Foreclosure with copies and envelopes directly to Judge Andrews at 315 Court Street, Room 468, Clearwater, FL 33756 via US MAIL/FEDEX/UPS/COURIER and must be received by the Judge’s office at least five (5) business days prior to
Page 14 | MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CASE PROCEDURE — Foreclosure UMC Motions for Summary Judgment
Counsel seeking ex parte consideration should include courtesy copies of the motion and supporting materials with the proposed order, service copies, postage-paid envelopes, and a cover letter signed by a Florida Bar member rather than a staff member.
Counsel seeking consideration of a matter ex parte should always include courtesy copies of a motion and any supporting materials such as affidavits with their proposed orders, service copies, postage-paid envelopes, and an appropriate cover letter signed by a member of the Florida Bar, not a staff member.
Counsel must provide the judge with a copy of a motion for rehearing, reconsideration, or new trial, and an opposing party may respond within 15 days after service.
Motions for Rehearing/Reconsideration/New Trial. Provide the Judge with a copy of the motion. Do not schedule for hearing unless the court decides one is required. Opposing party may file a response within 15 days of service of the motion.
Page 13 | Motions for Rehearing/Reconsideration/New Trial
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing a motion to compel or for a protective order, counsel must confer in good faith with opposing counsel to attempt resolution and file a certification of that conference and the unresolved dispute.
Before filing a motion to compel or a motion for protective order, counsel for the moving party shall confer with counsel for the opposing party in a good faith effort to resolve by agreement the issues raised, and shall filed with the Court at the time of the filing of the motion a statement certifying that he or she has so conferred with opposing counsel and that counsel have been unable to resolve the dispute.
Page 8 | Motions
Counsel must confer before the motions in limine hearing so that only genuinely disputed items are presented to the judge.
Counsel will confer before that hearing so that only items actually in dispute will be put before the Judge.
Page 13 | PRETRIAL AND TRIAL PRACTICE — Motions in Limine
Chambers Communication Rules
Do not file the Notice of Hearing until a confirmation email is received from JAWS.
PLEASE DO NOT FILE THE NOTICE OF HEARING UNTIL YOU RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL FROM JAWS THAT THE
Page 4 | TELPHONIC HEARINGS
Do not send a notice of hearing until JAWS confirms that the hearing is scheduled; failure to send timely notice or file proof of timely notice will cancel the hearing.
DO NOT SEND NOTICE OF THE HEARING UNTIL YOU RECEIVE CONFIRMATION VIA JAWS THAT IT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED. FAILURE TO SEND NOTICE AND/OR FAILURE FILE PROOF OF TIMELY NOTICE WILL CAUSE THE HEARING TO BE CANCELLED.
Page 4 | VCT/ZOOM HEARINGS
For a hearing less than 24 hours away, both parties must agree to cancellation, email the judicial assistant, and attach a Notice of Cancellation.
If your hearing is less than 24 hours away, both parties must agree to cancel the hearing and then email the JA to cancel your hearing, you must attach a Notice of Cancellation.
Page 7 | Cancelling Hearings
Other hearings may be canceled by emailing section20@jud6.org and filing and emailing a Notice of Cancellation to the clerk and judicial assistant.
All other hearings may be cancelled via email to section20@jud6.org. A notice of cancellation will need to be filed with the Clerk and emailed to the JA.
Page 7 | Cancelling Hearings
An emergency motion will receive an emergency hearing only if the court determines that it is an actual emergency.
Emergency motions will not be set for hearing on an emergency basis unless the court deems it to be an actual emergency.
Page 11 | Other Motion Practice
Effective January 2026, hearings scheduled for one hour or longer will be held in person.
EFFECTIVE January 2026 – ALL HEARINGS THAT ARE SCHEDULED FOR 1 HOUR OR LONGER WILL BE IN PERSON.
Page 3 | HEARINGS
Counsel, parties, and witnesses must email section20@jud6.org at least 10 business days before the hearing to request prior approval for an in-person appearance.
To obtain prior approval for counsel, any party or any witness to appear IN PERSON counsel shall send an email requesting same to section20@jud6.org AT LEAST 10 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO HEARING to see if an In Person hearing can be accommodated.
Page 3 | HEARINGS
A request to appear via Zoom must be emailed to section20@jud6.org at least 10 business days before the hearing.
A REQUEST CAN BE MADE TO APPEAR VIA ZOOM BY EMAILING SECTION20@JUD6.ORG AT LEAST 10 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO HEARING.
Page 3 | HEARINGS
After securing and confirming a hearing date in JAWS, the scheduler must email section20@jud6.org to request Zoom information, which the court will email only to the scheduler.
For ZOOM hearings, after you secure a hearing date in JAWS, once you receive the hearing CONFIRMATION, you will then need to email section20@jud6.org requesting the Zoom information. We will email the ZOOM link with the ZOOM details ONLY to the scheduler’s email address.
Page 4 | VCT/ZOOM HEARINGS
The Judicial Assistant ordinarily should not be called for hearing dates of one hour or less posted in JAWS unless the motion is an emergency, exceeds one hour, or Judge Andrews directs otherwise.
ALL AVAILABLE HEARING TIMES FOR I HOUR OR LESS WILL BE POSTED IN JAWS SO PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE JA FOR OTHER HEARING DATES UNLESS YOUR MOTION IS AN EMERGENCY, FOR MORE THAN 1 HOUR, OR IF DIRECTED BY JUDGE ANDREWS.
Page 6 | SCHEDULING HEARINGS IN JAWS
If JAWS does not offer sufficiently prompt hearing time for an impending trial or deadline, counsel should email the Judicial Assistant, state the amount of time needed, and coordinate with opposing counsel when time is offered.
If the attorney thinks the hearing date/time available in JAWS is too far out to accommodate hearings that need to take place prior to a trial already set, or deadlines approaching that will not be met due to lack of available hearing time, they should reach out to the Judicial Assistant at section20@jud6.org to inquire about possible available hearing time. Please indicate how much time is needed for the hearing and coordinate with opposing counsel as soon as possible once the time is provided.
Page 6 | SCHEDULING HEARINGS IN JAWS
A duplicate JAWS upload should not be necessary, and upload problems should be reported to the JAWS Help Desk at 727-453-4357.
It should never be necessary to make a duplicate upload. If there is a problem with uploading, contact the JAWS Help Desk, 727-453-4357.
Page 9 | PROPOSED/AGREED ORDERS
Until further notice, most hearings, including pretrials and calendar calls, are held via Zoom.
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE MOST HEARINGS ARE HELD VIA ZOOM, INCLUDING PRETRIALS AND CALENDAR CALLS.
Page 3 | HEARINGS
Telephonic hearings use the stated conference line and access code, and the scheduler must generate the Notice of Hearing with the hearing date, time, conference line, and conference room number.
Conference Line 1-888-585-9008 Access 712-414-081#. The scheduler will be responsible for generating the Notice of Hearing with the date, time and conference line and conference room number.
Page 4 | TELPHONIC HEARINGS
Case law and other legal authority may be emailed to section20@jud6.org at least five business days before the hearing; paper copies are accepted but not preferred, and pertinent portions should be highlighted.
The case law can be emailed to section20@jud6.org at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled hearing. Paper copies of case law and other legal authority are accepted but not preferred. Pertinent portions should be highlighted.
Page 4 | VCT/ZOOM HEARINGS
An email to section20@jud6.org may be used to obtain a hearing date and time for a hearing longer than one hour.
Hearing dates and times for hearing in excess of 1 hour may be obtained by sending an email to section20@jud6.org.
Page 5 | JAWS
Judge Andrews prefers case law and exhibits to be provided by email to section20@jud6.org.
Judge Andrews prefers case law and exhibits via email. The case law can be emailed to section20@jud6.org.
Page 11 | Other Motion Practice