Superior Court of Fulton County Chambers Communication Rules

CRITICAL

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Email to chambers

All communications with the Court must be in writing (email), include the case number in the subject line, and copy the opposing party.

When communicating with the Court, parties must do three things every time: (1) put it in writing (as in e-mail), (2) include the case number in the subject line, and (3) copy the opposing party.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email

Pre-trial submissions must be submitted by email to Litigation Manager Cheryl Vortice.

submit by email to Litigation Manager Cheryl Vortice (cheryl.vortice@fultoncountyga.gov)

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

Parties must email a fully consolidated pre-trial order to Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh by the scheduling order deadline.

No later than the dates set in the operative scheduling order, the parties shall submit, by email, a fully consolidated pre-trial order directly to the Court's Senior Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh (elizabeth.suh@fultoncountyga.gov).

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

Proposed verdict forms must be emailed to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh prior to jury selection.

The parties must submit their proposed verdict forms via email in Word format to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh prior to jury selection.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email to chambers

Communications with Chambers must be in writing, emailed to the Litigation Manager, and copied to all counsel unless it is a proper ex parte filing.

While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and emailed to Litigation Manager Cheryl Vortice (cheryl.vortice@fultoncountyga.gov) with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email to chambers

Communications with chambers must be in writing, emailed to the Litigation Manager, and copied to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with chambers, such communication shall be in writing and emailed to Litigation Manager Cheryl Vortice (cheryl.vortice@fultoncountyga.gov) with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

Exhibits and exhibit lists must be emailed to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh, with all counsel copied, no later than two days before trial.

All exhibits and exhibit lists shall be scanned individually into PDF format and emailed to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh, with all counsel copied, no later than two days before trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email

Additional briefing requires leave of court, which may be requested by email explaining why additional briefing is necessary.

No party may file additional briefing without leave of court, which may be requested by email explaining why additional briefing is necessary.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email to chambers

Attorneys must provide an email address at entry of appearance, either through the filing or by emailing the Litigation Manager.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, attorneys are required to provide an email address through the filing or by subsequently emailing the Litigation Manager.

CRITICALCivil cases

The Court must be notified immediately of any problem or dispute that could delay the case or cause a missed deadline.

The Court shall be notified immediately of any problem or dispute (e.g., discovery issues, witness unavailability, illness, or the late addition of parties or claims) that could delay the case or cause a party to miss a deadline.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties needing a trial interpreter must notify Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh at least five days before trial, specifying the required language skills.

Under Uniform Superior Court Rule 7.3, any party needing an interpreter for a trial witness must notify Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh at least five days before trial that an interpreter is needed and the specific language skills required.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email

The interpreter request form must be completed and submitted via email to SCA.Interpreters@fultoncountyga.gov at least five days before trial.

At least five days before trial, the party requesting the interpreter must also complete the request form available at https://interpreter.fultonsuperiorcourtga.gov/ and submit the form via email to SCA.Interpreters@fultoncountyga.gov.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email

All case-related questions and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel, except for appropriate ex parte communications.

To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations, or discussions concerning your case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel. Appropriate ex parte communications are excepted from this rule.

CRITICALCivil cases

If parties cannot agree on deposition testimony portions, the objecting party must provide a page/line list and relevant text to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh no later than two days before trial.

If the parties cannot agree on what portions of the deposition testimony, if any, should be excluded, the objecting party must prepare a list of page and line numbers at issues and provide the list, along with the relevant text from the deposition, to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh no later than two days before the beginning of the trial calendar.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email to chambers

Attorneys must provide an email address at entry of appearance, either through the filing or by emailing the Litigation Manager.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, attorneys are required to provide an email address through the filing or by subsequently emailing the Litigation Manager.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

A copy of jury charge requests must be emailed to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh prior to jury selection.

In addition to filing jury charge requests with the Clerk, the parties shall also email a copy in Word format to Staff Attorney Elizabeth Suh prior to jury selection.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

Parties must email a copy of proposed jury charges to Ms. Candler by the deadline.

In addition to e-filing proposed charges with the Clerk of Court, the parties must also e-mail a copy, in Microsoft Word format, to Ms. Candler by this deadline.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to clerk

For oral argument on summary judgment, the Rule 6.3 pleading and proposed rule nisi must be e-mailed to Ms. Candler.

That Rule 6.3 pleading must also be e-mailed to Ms. Candler, along with a proposed rule nisi in Microsoft Word format.

CRITICALCivil cases

All proposed orders should be submitted electronically to Ms. Candler in Microsoft Word format.

All proposed orders should be submitted electronically to Ms. Candler in Microsoft Word format.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email to chambers

Counsel must provide their email addresses to the Litigation Manager at the entry of appearance.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, the attorneys are required to provide their email addresses to Litigation Manager Matthew Connier by emailing the same to him.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

Email regarding civil matters must not be sent directly to Judge Cox but must be directed to Senior Staff Attorney Erik Smith at erik.smith@fultoncountyga.gov, who will not engage in substantive case discussions.

Finally, never communicate by email directly with Judge Cox. Communication with the Court regarding civil matters shall be directed to the Senior ===== PAGE 4 ===== Staff Attorney, Erik Smith, at erik.smith@fultoncountyga.gov. However, please be aware the Court's Senior Staff Attorney will not engage in substantive discussions regarding any case before

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email to chambers

In no instance, should counsel directly email the Judge or copy the judge on correspondence.

In no instance, should counsel directly email the Judge or copy the judge on correspondence.

CRITICALCriminal cases

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Email

Counsel must email prepared orders/judgments to the Court (Matthew.cormier@fultoncountyga.gov) and opposing counsel within three business days of entry, and must not email the Judge directly.

shall promptly prepare orders or judgments to be presented to the Court and by email the same to the Court (Matthew.cormier@fultoncountyga.gov) and opposing counsel simultane- ously and within three business days of the entry of that order or judgment unless directed otherwise by the Court. In no instance, should counsel directly email the Judge.

CRITICALCivil cases

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Email to chambers

All questions, explanations, and case discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel to avoid ex parte communications.

To avoid ex-parte communications, submit all questions, explanations, and discussions concerning this case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties filing motions in limine must alert the Court if the hearing will last more than an hour.

If a party filing a motion in limine believes that the motion(s) will require a hearing lasting more than an hour, the party must alert the Court so that the prospective jurors' schedule can be properly managed.

CRITICAL

The Court must be notified immediately of any problem or dispute that could delay the case or cause a missed deadline.

The Court shall be notified immediately of any problem or dispute (e.g., discovery issues, witness unavailability, illness, or the late addition of parties or claims) that could delay the case or cause a party to miss a deadline.

WARNING

Parties should not contact various chambers staff seeking a different answer, except for conflict letters per Section 4.

returned. should NOT attempt to contact various Chambers staff with the hopes of of receiving a different answer to a question or request with the exception emailing Conflict Letters as specifically stated in Section 4 below.

WARNING

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Email to chambers

Copies of documents served on the opposing party should be emailed to the Court at the same time.

Copies of any such documents should also be provided to the Court at the same time they are provided to the opposing party via email to Staff Attorney Jessica Cummings for hearings before Judge Benton, or Litigation Manager Stephanie Cooper for hearings before Judicial Officer Miller.

WARNING

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Email to chambers

Conflict letters for hearings before Judge Benton must be filed in each case and emailed to specified addresses with the designated subject line.

Conflict Letters for hearings before Judge Benton are to be filed in each case and emailed to jessica.cummings@fultoncountyga.gov and ashley.williams@fultoncountyga.gov with the following subject line: JUDGE BENTON - CONFLICT LETTER CASE NAME CASE NUMBER.

WARNING

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Email to chambers

Indigent pro se parties must email the staff attorney or litigation manager at least one week before the hearing to request a court-provided court reporter.

For Pro-se Parties who have been determined to be indigent by the Court, they are required to email Jessica.cummings@fultoncountyga.gov for hearings before Judge Benton and stephanie.cooper@fultoncountyga.gov for hearings before Judicial Officer Greg Miller no later than one week in advance of the hearing to request a Court provided court reporter.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Counsel should avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.

WARNING

Parties are not excused from the calendar for a conflict unless they receive confirmation from the Court.

Parties are not excused from the calendar unless or until they have received confirmation from the Court.

WARNING

Contact

Email

Communication with the Court should be conducted by email.

Communication with the Court should be conducted via email.

WARNINGCivil cases

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Email

When a dispositive motion is ripe for adjudication, parties are invited to submit proposed orders for review by emailing them directly to the Staff Attorney.

When a dispositive motion is ripe for adjudication, the parties are invited to submit proposed orders for review. All proposed orders should be submitted electronically via email directly to the Staff Attorney, in Microsoft Word format.

WARNING

If a matter listed in a conflict letter is disposed of before the end of the calendar, counsel must immediately notify all Parties and the Court and proceed with the remaining cases absent good cause.

In the event any matter listed in the conflict letter is disposed of prior to the end of the calendar, counsel shall immediately notify all Parties and the Court and proceed with the remaining cases absent good cause shown pursuant to U.S.C.R. 17.1(C).

WARNING

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Email to chambers

Conflict letters for hearings before Judicial Officer Greg Miller must be filed in each case and emailed to specified addresses with the designated subject line.

Conflict Letters for hearings before Judicial Officer Greg Miller are to be filed in each case and emailed stephanie.cooper@fultoncountyga.gov and to ashley.williams@fultoncountyga.gov with the following subject line: JUDICIAL OFFICER GREG MILLER- CONFLICT LETTER CASE NAME CASE~ - NUMBER.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

When communicating with the Court, parties are reminded to ensure that the opposing parties and counsel, as appropriate, are copied on all communications.

When communicating with the Court, parties are reminded to ensure that the opposing parties and counsel, as appropriate, are copied on all communications.

WARNINGCriminal cases

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Email

Attorneys must provide an email address through odysseyefilega.com at entry of appearance and must ensure emails are monitored or forwarded so messages are received.

At the entry of appearance of counsel, attorneys are required to provide an email address through odysseyefilega.com. If you do not personally check your emails, you must arrange to have your emails forwarded to someone in your office who will be responsible for checking them and informing you of the messages/documents that have been sent.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All case questions, explanations, and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel to avoid ex parte communications; appropriate ex parte communications are excepted.

To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations, or discussions concerning your case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel. Appropriate ex parte communications are excepted from this rule.

WARNING

Parties should contact only the designated chambers staff member for their matter; emails copying multiple staff members will not be returned.

are cautioned that Chambers staff each handle specific aspects of the case procedure; therefore, they should contact ONLY the appropmiate staff member. Emails copying multiple staff members, instead of the one Parties appropriate staff member designated below, will not be returned.

WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

Ms. Noel Gullatt, Litigation Manager is the chief contact for criminal matters in this division. Communication with Ms. Gullatt should be via email at noel.gullatt@fultoncountyga.gov. All email communications with the Court’s staff must copy opposing counsel and any pro se litigants.

Ms. Noel Gullatt, Litigation Manager is the chief contact for criminal matters in this division. Communication with Ms. Gullatt should be via email at noel.gullatt@fultoncountyga.gov. All email communications with the Court’s staff must copy opposing counsel and any pro se litigants.

WARNINGCivil cases

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Email to chambers

After filing the Petition and Rule Nisi, counsel must email the case number to the Staff Attorney.

After the filing of the Petition and Rule Nisi, counsel shall email the case number to the Staff Attorney.

WARNINGCivil cases

Contact

Email to chambers

Communications with Chambers must be in writing via email to the Staff Attorney, copied to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing, and counsel must never directly email the Judge.

While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and emailed to Staff Attorney Ms. Kier Prince at with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing. In no instance should counsel directly email the Judge.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All communications with Chambers must be in writing, delivered by hard copy or email to the Litigation Manager, with copies to all counsel unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

While the Court encourages counsel to communicate with Chambers, such communication shall be in writing and delivered in hard copy or emailed to Cathy Robinson, Litigation Manager, at cathy.robinson@fultoncountyga.gov with copies of such communication also provided to all counsel of record unless the matter is a proper ex parte filing.

WARNING

Parties must contact only the designated staff member; emails copied to multiple staff members will not be returned.

Parties are cautioned that Chambers staff each handle specific aspects of the case procedure; therefore, they should contact ONLY the appropriate staff member. Emails copying multiple staff members, instead of the one appropriate staff member designated below, will not be returned.

WARNING

Parties may not shop among different Chambers staff for a different answer, except for Conflict Letters as stated in Section 4.

Parties should NOT attempt to contact various Chambers staff with the hopes of receiving a different answer to a question or request with the exception of emailing Conflict Letters as specifically stated in Section 4 below.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Counsel and parties may appear in a manner different from that specified on the calendar only upon a specific prior request to, and authorization by, the Court.

The Court may authorize counsel and/or the parties to appear in a manner different than specified on the calendar, but only upon a specific prior request to and authorization by the Court.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers

All questions and discussions must be submitted by email with a copy to opposing counsel (ex parte exempt); telephoning chambers is to be avoided except in exceptional circumstances.

To avoid inappropriate ex parte communications, submit all questions, explanations or discussions concerning your case by email, with a copy to opposing counsel. Appropriate ex parte communications are exempted from this rule. To prevent miscommunications and inappropriate ex parte communications, avoid telephoning chambers except in exceptional circumstances.