RE Divisional News

April 3, 2020
DIVISION RE AMENDED PROCEDURES
IN RE: MITIGATING MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Pursuant to Supreme Court and Local Administrative Order, AOSC20-12 through AOSC20-16, and AO 12.510-03/2020.4*, all non-essential proceedings are hereby suspended through May 1, 2020 for in-person appearances.

All UMC and special set hearings will be conducted by phone or video, and the Court will be using best efforts to accommodate all requests and hear all matters efficiently and fairly. (*Exception: Small Claims Pre-trial Conferences for April 2020 are Suspended and Will be Reset.*)

·       Through April 10, 2020, the Court will be using Webex to conduct phone hearings. Parties may contact the Court to schedule video appearance for evidentiary matters.

The conferencing information is as follows:
1-844-621-3956 United States Toll Free
Access code: 478 417 293 (no “attendee” number needed; hit # to connect)

·       Beginning April 13, 2020, the Court will be using Zoom to conduct phone and video hearings. Moving party must obtain from the Court and supply the conference information to all parties sufficiently in advance.

Effective through May 1, 2020 or until further notice, the following procedures apply:

  1. For hearings already scheduled: all non-essential hearings will be conducted by phone or video. The moving party shall ensure that all parties are notified of this information, including the conference information listed above. If the non-moving party is unable to be notified in a timely fashion, the moving party shall reset the hearing far enough in advance to send an amended notice of hearing by mail.
  2. For new hearings: all hearings (UMC and special set) can continue to be scheduled as normal using on-line scheduling. The moving party shall include the phone or video conferencing information in the Notice of Hearing using the above conference line information..
  3. For non-evidentiary hearings: all relevant papers must be filed in advance of the hearing. If a paper does not yet appear on the docket, please email a courtesy copy to CAD-DivisionRE@pbcgov.org at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance. Please do not mail hard copies at this time.
  4. For evidentiary hearings and trials: parties are requested to stipulate to the admissibility of evidence to the greatest extent possible. All parties must exchange evidence no later than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the hearing/trial (if not already exchanged pursuant to pre-trial order), and email a courtesy copy to CAD-DivisionRE@pbcgov.org. Any party objecting to the admission of evidence shall file their specific objections and basis for same and send a courtesy copy to CAD-DivisionRE@pbcgov.org.

    Any party calling a live witness shall ensure the witness can be connected through the same telephone or video conference. Similarly, any party ordering a court reporter shall ensure the court reporter can be connected through the same telephone or video conference.

    Pursuant to Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order, “all rules of procedure, court orders, and opinions applicable to remote testimony, depositions, and other legal testimony, … that can be read to limit or prohibit the use of audio-video communications equipment to administer oaths remotely…, are hereby suspended” through March 27 or until further order.

  5. Note: Most filings take up to three (3) days to appear on the docket. If you do not see your filing on the docket in time for a hearing, please send a courtesy copy to the Division.

Pro Se litigants (appearing without an attorney) who have access to email are encouraged to notify the Clerk of their email address and consent to receive documents electronically. This information may also be sent to CAD-DivisionRE@pbcgov.org. This will allow the Court to submit orders to the parties via email, which will greatly reduce the time for the parties' communication with each other and the Court. Please see the Clerk's Website link for instructions for e-filing.

Divisional email will continue to be monitored and responded to throughout the State of Emergency and all phone calls will be returned. Please continue to check Divisional Instructions for additional updates.

 

NOTICE

Effective January 27, 2020 Judge Sarah L. Shullman will preside over Division RE.

Please review the UPDATED guidelines in the Divisional Instructions.

Division RE is participating in Online Scheduling and online Proposed Order submission through the Online Scheduling Portal (OLS). Please refer to the Divisional Instructions before scheduling or submitting proposed orders for important information.