Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Prehearing Materials
- No Later Than 3 Working Days Before Virtual Hearing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Phone
Document Format Requirements11 rules
All contested evidentiary hearings lasting 30 minutes or longer are scheduled as IN-PERSON hearings.
All participants MUST appear in person unless there is a signed order granting a virtual appearance for each hearing.
Exhibits are NOT to be emailed to Ms. Reiley but should be either brought to the hearing at the scheduled time or mailed or hand-delivered to the Court in advance of the hearing, pre-marked.
If any exhibits are to be introduced during a hearing, they must be pre-marked as per Administrative Order 5-20.8 and example below.
Submissions greater than 25 pages long must be physically delivered to the Court.
- More than 25 pages
All proposed orders must comply with the formatting and technical requirements listed therein; proposed orders that fail to comply with the requirements of the Administrative Order will be rejected and must be resubmitted.
Each submitted item should be submitted as a separate attachment with a file name including the case number and a brief description clearly delineating the nature of the item. Example: “00DR000000 Pet. Fin. Aff.”
If your exhibits are under 25 pages, you may provide them via email. If your exhibits are over 25 pages or contain audio-video evidence, please provide them via hard copy by US mail, express mail, or hand delivery to the Court.
Exhibits for a virtual hearing must be pre-marked pursuant to Administrative Order 5-20.8.
Court's wording
If any exhibits are to be introduced during the virtual hearing, originals must be provided to the Court (copying opposing counsel) at least three (3) working days in advance of the hearing, and pre-marked pursuant to Administrative Order 5-20.8.
The Court will not review the evidence in advance of the hearing.
Submissions less than 25 pages long may be emailed to Ms. Reiley.
- Fewer than 25 pages
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Requests for virtual appearance at a contested evidentiary hearing must be made by written motion identifying the basis for the request and which participant needs to appear virtually.
All hearing notices and orders setting hearing must include the specified ADA notice.
Court's wording
The following ADA Notice must be included in all notices of hearing or orders setting hearing: If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Office of the Court Administrator, (863) 534-4686, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call TDD (863) 534-7777 or Florida Relay Service 711.
The location of the hearing must be included in the Notice of Hearing. In person hearings are held at the Highlands County Courthouse, 430 South Commerce Avenue, Sebring, Florida 33870, Hearing Room 3A.
All notices of hearing and orders setting hearing must include the specified ADA notice.
Court's wording
The following ADA Notice must be included in all notices of hearing or orders setting hearing: If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Office of the Court Administrator, (863) 534-4686, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call TDD (863) 534-7777 or Florida Relay Service 711.
Only the party who set the hearing may cancel it, and it is that party’s responsibility to file a written Notice of Cancellation of the hearing and to notify all participants of the cancellation, including any self-represented party.
The party submitting the exhibit shall fill in all blanks on the label except “admitted”, “excluded”, and “date”.
Unless the motion is being submitted ex parte, the email shall include a cover letter that indicates that this submission has been copied to the opposing party/counsel.
All proposed orders or judgments being submitted without a hearing must include a copy of the motion when the proposed Order is submitted through CAPS.
When filing documents containing Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or other non-public information in the specified civil cases, all parties must file a Notice of Confidential Information identifying each location and page and the type of confidential information or applicable provision.
Court's wording
All parties submitting an order, including attorneys and self- represented litigants, will be required to file a Notice of Confidential Information in circuit civil, county civil and small claims court cases when filing documents with Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or other non-public information; identify the precise location(s) of confidential information within the document, including each page number on which it appears; and identify the type of confidential information or provision that applies to the identified information.
Do not include a certificate of service to be completed by my judicial assistant.
A Notice of Hearing or Order Setting Hearing should include information on accessing Highlands Virtual Courtroom 3A.
Court's wording
A link to the “Highlands Virtual Courtroom 3A” can be found at the following website: Highlands County Virtual Courtrooms | 10th Judicial Circuit Court The link is also accessible from the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court Administration’s web site through this procedure: Navigate through the browser to http://www.jud10.flcourts.org/ On the right side of the page, click “Click here for Highlands County Virtual Courtroom Links”, then click “Highlands County”, then click “Click here to enter Highlands Virtual Courtroom 3A”.
Any emergency motion submitted for ex parte consideration should clearly so state in the heading of the motion.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A signed proposed order or judgment will be e-filed.
Once the proposed order or judgment is signed, it will be e-filed.
Page 4 | VIII. PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Proposed orders are not accepted by email and must be submitted electronically through CAPS under Administrative Order No. 1-61.1 or a later applicable order.
Proposed orders will no longer be accepted by email. Refer to Administrative Order No. 1-61.1 (or any subsequently entered Administrative Orders) relating to Uniform Procedures and Requirements for Electronically Submitting Proposed Orders Through CAPS.
Page 4 | VIII. PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Prehearing materials may be submitted electronically as email attachments to the specified address.
Prehearing materials may be submitted in electronic format and attached to an email forwarded to areiley@jud10.flcourts.org and copied to all other parties.
Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. SUBMISSION OF CASE LAW AND OTHER PREHEARING MATERIALS FOR VIRTUAL HEARINGS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions and proposed orders for virtual appearances must be received at least three days before the scheduled hearing.
All motions and proposed orders for virtual appearances must be received no later than three (3) days prior to the scheduled hearing date.
Page 1 | I. IN-PERSON HEARINGS
Do not send a notice of hearing before receiving confirmation of the hearing time; hearing times are first come, first served and are not reserved until confirmation is emailed.
Do not send out a notice of hearing until after you have received confirmation of the hearing time from Ms. Reiley. Hearing times are booked on a first come, first served basis and hearing times are not reserved until the confirmation email is sent.
Page 1 | II. SCHEDULING HEARINGS
The motion being heard and Notice of Hearing must be emailed at least 10 days before the hearing, or immediately upon filing the notice if fewer than 10 days remain.
A copy of the Motion that is being heard, along with the Notice of Hearing must be emailed to Ms. Reiley at areiley@jud10.flcourts.org at least 10 days in advance of the hearing, or immediately upon filing of the Notice of Hearing if there are fewer than 10 days before the hearing.
Page 2 | III. NOTICING HEARINGS
If the Court directs, or if a party or Counsel so desires to deliver to the Court case law or a memorandum of law on which a party or Counsel will rely at a hearing, the case law or memorandum of law shall be delivered by mail or hand-delivery no later than three (3) working days before the hearing.
If the Court directs, or if a party or Counsel so desires to deliver to the Court case law or a memorandum of law on which a party or Counsel will rely at a hearing, the case law or memorandum of law shall be delivered by mail or hand-delivery no later than three (3) working days before the hearing.
Page 3 | VII. CASE LAW AND MEMORANDA OF LAW
A proposed order rejected for noncompliance with the referenced Administrative Order must be resubmitted.
All proposed orders must comply with the formatting and technical requirements listed therein; proposed orders that fail to comply with the requirements of the Administrative Order will be rejected and must be resubmitted.
Page 4 | VIII. PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Proposed orders or judgments will be held for five working days unless written confirmation states there is no objection.
Note that proposed orders or judgments will be held for 5 working days absent written confirmation that there is no objection to the proposed order or judgment.
Page 4 | VIII. PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
When prehearing materials are submitted by email to the Court, the other parties must be copied.
Prehearing materials may be submitted in electronic format and attached to an email forwarded to areiley@jud10.flcourts.org and copied to all other parties.
Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. SUBMISSION OF CASE LAW AND OTHER PREHEARING MATERIALS FOR VIRTUAL HEARINGS
For exhibits to be introduced at a virtual hearing, provide the originals to the Court and copy opposing counsel at least three working days before the hearing.
If any exhibits are to be introduced during the virtual hearing, originals must be provided to the Court (copying opposing counsel) at least three (3) working days in advance of the hearing
Civil cases
Page 3 | VII. EVIDENCE FOR VIRTUAL HEARINGS
The party who cancels a hearing must notify all participants of the cancellation, including any self-represented party.
Only the party who set the hearing may cancel it, and it is that party’s responsibility to file a written Notice of Cancellation of the hearing and to notify all participants of the cancellation, including any self-represented party.
Page 2 | IV. CANCELLATION OF HEARINGS
A party setting a case for hearing must provide a Notice of Hearing to the Court and all other parties.
A party calling a case up for hearing must provide to the Court and all other parties a Notice of Hearing.
Page 2 | III. NOTICING HEARINGS
The submitting party or counsel must provide copies to parties who are not on the service list.
It is the responsibility of the submitting party/counsel to provide copies to any party not included on the service list.
Page 4 | VIII. PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
A party calling a case up for hearing should provide the Court and all other parties with a Notice of Hearing or Order Setting Hearing.
A party calling a case up for hearing should provide the Court and all other parties a Notice of Hearing or Order Setting Hearing which includes the following information:
Civil cases
Page 2 | III. NOTICING VIRTUAL HEARINGS
Courtesy Copy Requirements
All parties must submit courtesy copies of case law and other materials they intend to rely on or refer to at a virtual hearing no later than three working days before the hearing.
No later than three (3) working days in advance of any virtual hearing, all parties must submit to the court courtesy copies of caselaw or any other materials the party intends to rely upon or refer to during the virtual hearing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. SUBMISSION OF CASE LAW AND OTHER PREHEARING MATERIALS FOR VIRTUAL HEARINGS
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Parties submitting orders are responsible for ensuring confidential information in filings is appropriately redacted or identified for redaction.
Effective July 1, 2021, parties submitting orders are solely responsible for ensuring any confidential information contained in filings in these cases is appropriately redacted or identified for redaction.
Page 4 | VIII. PROPOSED ORDERS AND JUDGMENTS
Chambers Communication Rules
To request hearing time, email the judicial assistant with the case number, party names, matters to be heard, and total time required; the scheduling party must contact the other parties to determine their time needs.
Hearing time may be obtained by sending an email to my Judicial Assistant Anita Reiley at areiley@jud10.flcourts.org. Such requests must include the case number, party names, matter(s) to be heard, and total amount of time required. The party scheduling a hearing is responsible for contacting all other parties to determine how much time each party will require.
Page 1 | II. SCHEDULING HEARINGS
After all parties have agreed upon a hearing date and time, email Ms. Reiley with the agreed upon date and time, along with the total amount of time required for the hearing. You must send back an email to confirm a particular hearing date/time.
After all parties have agreed upon a hearing date and time, email Ms. Reiley with the agreed upon date and time, along with the total amount of time required for the hearing. You must send back an email to confirm a particular hearing date/time.
Page 1 | II. SCHEDULING HEARINGS
Call the judicial assistant as soon as you learn that a hearing is to be cancelled.
Please call Ms. Reiley as soon as you learn that a hearing is to be cancelled.
Page 2 | IV. CANCELLATION OF HEARINGS
Email the judicial assistant a copy of the motion being heard and the Notice of Hearing at least 10 days before the hearing, or immediately upon filing the notice if fewer than 10 days remain.
A copy of the Motion that is being heard, along with the Notice of Hearing must be emailed to Ms. Reiley at areiley@jud10.flcourts.org at least 10 days in advance of the hearing, or immediately upon filing of the Notice of Hearing if there are fewer than 10 days before the hearing.
Page 2 | III. NOTICING HEARINGS
Email a copy of every emergency motion to Ms. Reiley; filing it with the Clerk’s Office alone will not alert the Court.
Please email a copy of any emergency motion to Ms. Reiley. Simply filing an emergency motion with the Clerk’s Office will not bring the motion to the attention of the Court.
Page 3 | V. EMERGENCY MOTIONS
If you are unable to access the virtual courtroom, you may call in to the court session by dialing 1-863-225-4022 and entering the telephone conference ID 683 120 842# when prompted to do so to notify the Court of the difficulty of signing on virtually.
If you are unable to access the virtual courtroom, you may call in to the court session by dialing 1-863-225-4022 and entering the telephone conference ID 683 120 842# when prompted to do so to notify the Court of the difficulty of signing on virtually.
Court notice
Page 1 | Virtual Courtroom Access Instructions
People seeking disability-related assistance should contact the Office of the Court Administrator at least 7 days before the appearance, or immediately if they receive notice less than 7 days beforehand; hearing- or voice-impaired people may use TDD or Florida Relay.
Please contact the Office of the Court Administrator, (863) 534-4686, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call TDD (863) 534-7777 or Florida Relay Service 711.
Civil cases
Page 2 | III. NOTICING VIRTUAL HEARINGS
Before using a method other than email to transmit virtual prehearing materials, contact Ms. Reiley by email at the specified address.
B. Prehearing materials may be submitted in electronic format and attached to an email forwarded to areiley@jud10.flcourts.org and copied to all other parties. C. Each submitted item should be submitted as a separate attachment with a file name including the case number and a brief description clearly delineating the nature of the item. Example: “00DR000000 Pet. Fin. Aff.” D. Please contact Ms. Reiley by email before using a method other than email to transmit virtual prehearing materials.
Civil cases
Page 2 | IV. SUBMISSION OF CASE LAW AND OTHER PREHEARING MATERIALS FOR VIRTUAL HEARINGS
The chat feature should not be utilized without express authorization from the Court.
The chat feature should not be utilized without express authorization from the Court.
Civil cases
Page 4 | IX. VIRTUAL COURTROOM ETIQUETTE
After obtaining available hearing times, do not include the judicial assistant in electronic communications with other parties about coordinating hearing time.
After obtaining available hearing times, do not include Ms. Reiley in any electronic communications with other parties relating to the coordination of hearing time.
Page 1 | II. SCHEDULING HEARINGS
For questions or additional support, call the listed number.
or call (863) 402-6949.
Court notice
Page 1 | OTHER ADVISEMENTS
For questions or additional support, email Court Technology at the listed address.
If you have questions or need additional support, please email Court Technology at 10thVirtualCourtSupport@jud10.flcourts.org,
Court notice
Page 1 | OTHER ADVISEMENTS
As a courtesy, email the judicial assistant as soon as possible if the hearing length changes; the remaining time may be used for other hearings.
As a courtesy, if the length of a hearing changes in any way (for example, a case settles and you know that a long hearing will only take a few minutes rather than an hour), please notify the Court as soon as possible by emailing Ms. Reiley. The remainder of that hearing time may be needed for other hearings.
Page 2 | IV. CANCELLATION OF HEARINGS