Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 197 rules apply across Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 49
  • Applies to
    Case management plan

    A court-ordered case management plan must specify the projected trial date, state that its deadlines will be strictly enforced, and state that the presiding judge will order a final trial period no later than 45 days before the projected trial period.

  • Applies to
    Case management order

    The case management order must include the listed case-management deadlines, including service, discovery, motions, witness and exhibit disclosures, alternative dispute resolution, and the projected trial period.

  • Applies to
    Trial period reset order

    If the court-ordered trial period does not reach trial, the court must enter an order setting a new trial period as soon as practicable based on the case’s needs and court resources.

Service

All 42

  • Plaintiffs must serve their actions promptly, and service issues must be addressed promptly and diligently.

  • Applies to
    Court ordered case management plan

    If service has not been effected by the date of the court-ordered case management plan, the plaintiff must serve each defendant a copy of the plan with the summons and complaint.

  • Deadline
    180 calendar days
    Applies to
    Summons and complaint

    A defendant may not be served under an extension more than 180 days after filing.

Filing Timing

All 40

  • Expert-witness disclosure is due 160 days before trial.

  • The plaintiff must make the initial discovery disclosure within 60 days after service of the complaint or joinder.

  • Each defendant must make the initial discovery disclosure within 60 days after service.

Formatting

All 23

  • Composite exhibits must be satisfactorily marked and securely bound before presentation to the court.

  • Oversized exhibits may be used, but if practicable they must be reduced to 8½-by-11 inches, with the reduced copy retained by the clerk in the court file.

  • Format
    DOCX

    At docket sounding, counsel or parties must submit both a Microsoft Word electronic version and a printed copy of the jury instructions and verdict form.

More categories

View all Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties rules
About Judge Darrell R. Hill

Mailing address: Hendry County Courthouse PO Box 567 LaBelle, FL 33975 Judicial assistant: Lori Phone: (863) 675-5225 Fax: (863) 675-5361 Email: LSavinsky@ca.cjis20.org

Common questions about Judge Darrell R. Hill's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

Judge Darrell R. Hill's formatting rule includes file format docx. All proposed orders must be sent in Word format.

View ruleSource: page 1, section ONLINE PROCEDURES

What must be included with e portal submission filings before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

The rule requires certificate of service. Each E-portal submission must include a complete Certificate of Service and all parties with their email addresses in the e-portal list.

View ruleSource: page 1, section E-PORTAL FILING

What must be included with standing order filings before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

The rule requires certificate of service. The plaintiff must file one copy of the standing order with the court clerk together with proof of service.

View ruleSource: page 1, section SERVICE OF THIS ORDER

How may parties contact Judge Darrell R. Hill's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Darrell R. Hill's chambers. The rule lists email LSavinsky@ca.cjis20.org. Hearing availability must be requested by email to the court office.

View ruleSource: page 1, section ONLINE PROCEDURES

Is electronic filing required before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All orders must be submitted through the court's E-portal.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROPOSED ORDERS

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

A fee is required for covered filings. The plaintiff must pay the applicable statutory clerk's fee for each copy of the standing order attached to a summons.

View ruleSource: page 1, section SERVICE OF THIS ORDER

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Orders must be submitted within ten days after the hearing date.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROPOSED ORDERS

What rule applies to service for summons before Judge Darrell R. Hill?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. The plaintiff must serve a copy of the standing order and attached case management plan with every summons issued in the case.

View ruleSource: page 1, section SERVICE OF THIS ORDER
Complete rules summary for Judge Darrell R. Hill

All orders must be submitted through the court's E-portal.

Orders must be submitted within ten days after the hearing date.

A proposed or agreed order for an upcoming court appearance or other court-ordered event must be submitted for judicial review at least three business days beforehand; later orders will not be considered.

Each E-portal submission must include a complete Certificate of Service and all parties with their email addresses in the e-portal list.

Use all available email addresses in the e-portal list; when an email address is unavailable, include the party's full physical address and ZIP code in the Certificate of Service.

Each E-portal submission must identify the case style and case number and indicate whether it is a cover letter, order, or judgment.

The plaintiff must serve a copy of the standing order and attached case management plan with every summons issued in the case.

The plaintiff must file one copy of the standing order with the court clerk together with proof of service.

The plaintiff must pay the applicable statutory clerk's fee for each copy of the standing order attached to a summons.

Attorneys generally must designate a primary email address for electronic service after the initial pleading and file documents through the Florida Courts e-filing Portal.

Attorneys generally must electronically file documents through the Florida Courts e-filing Portal.

Self-represented litigants are encouraged, but not required, to designate a primary email address for electronic service after the initial pleading.

Self-represented litigants may electronically file through the Florida Courts e-filing Portal, although the order encourages but does not require electronic filing.

A self-represented litigant without a designated primary email address must receive service by hand delivery or mail in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516.

A self-represented litigant without a designated primary email address must file documents manually with the clerk in accordance with Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.525.

Hearing availability must be requested by email to the court office.

The filed motion or petition must be attached to the scheduling email, and all motions must be filed before hearing scheduling.

All proposed orders must be sent in Word format.

Opposing counsel must be copied on all emails sent under these online procedures.

The hearing dates must be coordinated with opposing counsel and confirmed with the court office before filing the Notice of Hearing.

A Notice of Hearing must not be filed until the Judicial Assistant confirms availability by email.

More Judges in Twentieth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties

Alane Laboda
Judge
Christopher Brown
Judge
Geoffrey H. Gentile
Judge
James Shenko
Judge
Keith R. Kyle
Judge
Kyle Cohen
Judge
Lauren L. Brodie
Judge
Michael T. McHugh
Judge