AE Divisional Instructions

Judicial Practices and Procedures

Last updated 06/009/2025

Judge: Darren Dunifon Shull
Judicial Assistant: Steffany Kinderman Coneo

Table of Contents

A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Method of Communication:

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail CAD-DivisionAE@pbcgov.org the subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter.

Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from e-mail service may communicate with the judicial office by telephone call (561) 355-1980. The judicial office does not accept text messages.

Ex parte Communications:

Please be advised that the Court does not participate in ex parte communication. Please copy all parties to your correspondence to the court.

Unsolicited Communications:

Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.

E-Filing Portal Contact Information:

All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.

Other Communication Procedures:

Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.

Self-represented Litigants:

Please file an email designation. It is important for litigants not represented by counsel to fill out and file with the Clerk an email designation form. This will allow the Court to submit orders to the parties via email instead of sending by the U.S. Postal Service, which will greatly reduce the time for communication from the Court.

Email communications with the Judicial Assistant are limited to scheduling matters. You must copy all parties on communications with the Court; no ex-parte communications will be considered. Please do not provide proposed orders, exhibits, or filings to the Court email. If you are making a request to the Court, you must file a motion, which shall be provided to all parties and upload the same as an exhibit with a proposed form order by OLS to the division queue. Trainings on the Court's Online Services can be found on the CourtHelp4U YouTube channel. The direct link on how to schedule and how to upload orders is Online Scheduling Home Page (youtube.com).

The self-service center of the Clerk online is Palm Beach County Clerk Service Center.

Please note the Court does not act on letters, notes, or emails sent by either party. The Court acts on petitions or motions properly filed with the Clerk of the Court. File the appropriate petition or motion with the Clerk of the Court, and send a copy to the opposing side.

Please bring your own translator.

B. Scheduling Procedures

DCM Case Management Conferences (DCM)

1. Scheduling

   DCM case management conferences are scheduled through the the Court's Online Services (OLS) under DCM—Case Management Conference Scheduling. In Division AE, DCM case management conferences are held on certain Thursdays at 8:45 a.m. via Zoom. The available DCM conference timeslots are posted on the Court's Online Services.

2. Procedures for Amending a DCMO

   Motions to amend the DCMO must include:

   1. the basis of the need for the extension, including when the basis became known to the movant;
   2. whether the motion is opposed;
   3. the specific date to which the movant is requesting the deadline or projected trial period be extended, and whether that date is agreed by all parties;
   4. the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to meet the proposed new deadline or projected trial period, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants such as third-party witnesses or experts are available. (See Rule 1.200 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure); and
   5. a proposed order with the motion which shows good cause (in detail) to grant the motion, the specific relief requested, and a statement of what, if any, additional discovery is allowed.

If a party wishes to discuss an amendment to the DCMO, and the amendment is either not agreed or will change the trial ready date (in effect, a motion for continuance) it is the Court's preference that such should be set as addressed in V (a) above and not on the UMC docket (unless exigent circumstances exist). DCM conference slots are specifically reserved for this purpose and will hopefully alleviate overcrowding on UMC. Motions to change a trial track and motions to designate a case as a complex case can be heard at a DCM conference or a case management conference (CMC).

CALENDAR CALL: All calendar calls are conducted via ZOOM. Parties are to appear in person via ZOOM for a Case Management/Calendar Call.

Uniform Motion Calendar

Uniform Motion Calendar ("UMC") hearings are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:45 A.M. UMC's are set using the Court's Online Services (OLS). Scheduling is solely between the parties. Please do not call the Judicial Assistant to schedule or cancel a UMC hearing.

In order for you case to be heard, both parties must be present (if applicable.) The moving party is responsible for ensuring that the proposed order is uploaded after the Judge makes a decision on the presiding motion.

Remote appearance via ZOOM is in place for UMC's.

Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 941 1043 8096
Passcode: 208540

All UMC hearings shall be scheduled using the Court's Online Services (OLS). All procedures and requirements concerning the setting of hearings remain in effect, including standards for reasonable notice and compliance with Local Rule 4. Division AE does not accept emailed documents for hearings to the divisional e-mail.

UMC is strictly for non-evidentiary motions which can be heard in a total of 10 minutes (5 minutes per side). Evidentiary matters are NOT appropriate for UMC and should be specially set for hearing, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. Please Note: Default Final Judgments and uncontested Motions for Summary Judgment may be set on the Uniform Motion Calendar.

Mandatory compliance with Local Rule #4 is strictly enforced. Attorneys are required to "make reasonable efforts to speak to one another and engage in reasonable compromises to resolve or narrow the disputes before seeking court intervention." Prior to scheduling, the "attorney noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter and shall certify to the Court the good faith attempt to resolve."

Parties may not utilize more than one UMC time slot per case, per day.

Matters will be heard in the order in which they appear on the docket.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.

If you resolve a contested motion prior to a hearing date, please notify the Judicial Assistant via email, file notice of cancellation and send agreed order via the Court's Online Services (OLS).

Special Set Hearings

The Judicial Assistant will special set hearings after the parties have attended a 5 minute status conference set by the parties on the UMC calendar. The parties must upload a proposed order setting the hearing. ALL the motions in special set hearings, must go to MEDIATION before the special set hearing occurs. This is Mandatory.

Special set hearings cannot be cancelled except by further order of the Court. Orders must be uploaded through OLS specifically stating good cause for the cancellation in the proposed form of order.

Special set hearings will occur by via Zoom. Hearing exceeding 30 minutes will be conducted in person.

Jury Trials/Non-Jury Trials and Matters Set by the Court; Trials are in person at the courthouse.

Oaths for any evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial shall be administered remotely in accordance with Supreme Court Administrative Order No. AOSC20-16.

Jury Trials/Non-Jury Trials and Matters Set by the Court;

Trials are in person at the courthouse.

Oaths for any evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial shall be administered remotely in accordance with Supreme Court Administrative Order No. AOSC20-16.

Return to TOC

C. Remote Appearance

Remote Appearance Procedure:

Special set hearings including evidentiary hearings are now being held remotely in Division AE. Parties may submit motions and proposed Agreed Orders requesting in-person appearance for special set hearings. Hearings exceeding 30 minutes are held in person only, with all parties to be present.

Platform Used:

Remote appearance via ZOOM is in place for UMC's.

Platform Meeting ID#:

Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 941 1043 8096
Passcode: 208540

Requirements:

ALL Attorneys/LITIGANTS are expected to dress professionally, even if the hearing is conducted by Zoom. ZOOM is still a Court Hearing.

Any person appearing remotely must mute the person's microphone when joining the proceeding and keep the microphone turned off until instructed otherwise by the court.

Return to TOC

D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant BEFORE being submitted to the Court.

Final Judgments and Orders

FINAL JUDGMENTS and Orders will be e-filed to all parties or mailed if there are pro se litigants or attorneys without e-service

Administrative Order 5.204 requires that some portion of text of the Order be included on signature page. All Final Judgments must have a 3X3 inch space on the top-right-hand corner for recording purposes. The Clerk will not docket or record the Final Judgment without this space.

Proposed Final Judgments and/or Orders should be submitted via the Court's Online Services (OLS), in Word format and PDF format for Attachments, within five (3) days following the hearing.

Proposed order should always specify the date of the hearing.

Agreed Orders

If a motion(s) is resolved, an agreed order on that motion can be submitted to the Judges office through OLS and the Order must say "Agreed Order On Motion (Title of the Motion)". The Agreed Order MUST be uploaded via OLS. Please be sure to attach a cover letter/cover sheet and the subject motion. The cover letter should certify that all parties have reviewed and agreed to the language of the proposed agreed order. If any supporting attachments is missing the order will be rejected for correction. The names and address of all personal receiving copies must appear in the Agreed Order, pursuant to Administrative Order 2.306.

Service List:

All pleadings and Orders must have complete mailing addresses for all participating parties(see A.O. 2.306-9/08 & 2.310-5/14).

All pleadings and Orders must have complete e-mail addresses for all participating parties(see A.O. 2.310-5/14).

Submit all orders/judgments in WORD FORMAT (DO NOT use tables or macros for the style of the case or attorney names).

Please DO NOT submit proposed orders more than 1 day in advance of a hearing on matters on which the Court has not yet ruled (the order will be rejected).

If the order being submitted is regarding a hearing held in open court, the date of the hearing and names of the party or parties in attendance must be included in the first sentence of the order. The judge will electronically sign the orders, you do not need to include a signature line or a space. The judge's e-signature incorporates the date, so you do not need to provide a space for date placement. The orders will be e-served to all attorneys of record at their registered email addresses and filed in the state portal. Submissions which require service to a party not represented by counsel (i.e. pro se party) must indicate that the moving party is required to furnish the order via US Mail.

The only documents permitted to be e-served to the Court through the divisional CAD (CAD-DivisionAE@pbcgov.org) are:

1. Notice to Set Trial;
2. Notice of Settlement; and
3. Jury Instructions/Verdict Forms. All forms should have the following subject lines:
   • Subject line: NOTICE TO SET TRIAL & Style of Case
   • Subject line: NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT & Style of Case
   • Subject line: JURY INSTRUCTIONS/VERDICT FORM & Style of Case and trial date JURY INSTRUCTIONS/VERDICT FORMS shall be submitted in WORD format.

Whenever a lawyer or pro se party is no longer involved in the case, and they are registered for E-Service, they shall immediately take all necessary steps to remove their email address from the Clerk's system and the state portal. The judicial assistant is unable to remove you from any service list.

Return to TOC

Orders/Judgments to be Recorded

All orders/judgments which are to be recorded must provide a 3x3 blank space in the upper right hand corner of the first page. Please see Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration. 2.520. The following documents must provide a 3X3 blank space in the upper right hand corner of the first page of the document for recording:

• Amended Notice of Appeal
• Amended Final Judgment
• Default Final Judgment
• Final Judgment of Foreclosure
• Final Judgment
• Judgment
• Notice of Appeal
• Notice of Cross Appeal
• Notice of Non-Final Appeal
• Order of Dismissal
• Verdict
• Vacate Final Judgment & Dismiss

Return to TOC

Residential Foreclosure Procedures

All pleadings/documents must clearly indicate "RESIDENTIAL FORECLOSURE" under the case number.

In cases where all parties are represented by attorneys, agreed orders and settlement orders may be uploaded pursuant to the instructions listed above.

In cases where there are self-represented (pro se) parties, the uploaded orders must include a provision that the moving party is required to furnish a copy of the order/judgment to the pro se party via U.S. Mail.

NOTE: Documents/Orders are only permitted to be e-mailed to pro se parties if the pro se party has filed a Notice of Email designation with the Clerk of Court, otherwise all documents/orders must be mailed to pro se parties via U.S. Mail.

Return to TOC

Appointment of Guardian Ad Litem/Administrator Ad Litem

The 15th Judicial Circuit uses a wheel system for appointments of approved attorneys. Do NOT send any orders with names of attorneys. The section for appointment is to be blank for the Court to insert a name, address and phone number of the next person on the wheel.

Residential Foreclosure Trials

Upon the filing of a Notice to Set Trial, the case will be set before a senior judge or the Judge presiding in Division AE. The notice shall indicate that the case is at issue and the amount of time requested for trial. The Court will e-serve the order to counsel for Plaintiff, who shall forward the order to all Defendants and file the required Notice of Service.

Litigants are strongly urged not to request more than 8 hours for a residential foreclosure trial.

You may email your Notice to Set Trial as set forth below. Do not send envelopes. Plaintiff's counsel is responsible for service of all trial orders. The notice must indicate it is a Residential Foreclosure under case number.

Subject line: NOTICE TO SET TRIAL & Style of Case

All uncontested Summary Judgment motions will be scheduled online and set before a senior judge. DO NOT SET UNCONTESTED FORECLOSURE SUMMARY JUDGMENTS ON THE DIVISION AE ONLINE CALENDAR - follow the prompts for scheduling.

For motions that require more than 10 minutes, the motion shall be scheduled on the Court's online calendar and coordinated with all appropriate parties. The hearings are set by order and the order is automatically uploaded to the Court for signature. If the hearing will take longer than 30 minutes, you need to file a notice to be placed on a trial docket, indicating the motion to be heard, the filing date of the motion(s) and how much hearing time is requested. Send it via U.S. Mail and the judicial assistant will prepare an order setting the motion on the next available docket.

Return to TOC

Motions to Withdraw

All Motions to Withdraw must be set for a UMC hearing, with proper notice to the client, in accordance with Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505(f)(i), and all parties/attorneys.

Ex-Parte Motions

No hearing is necessary if the Motion is in compliance with A.O. 3.202. The moving attorney must submit the Order for signature by the Judge and a copy of the motion as an attachment via the Court's Online Services (OLS).

Return to TOC

E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

When Required:

Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court by U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.

Deadline for Submissions:

Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court no later than 1 day before any hearing or trial.

Return to TOC

F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters

Requirements:

Pursuant to Administrative Order 3.206, the divisional judge (or alternate judge during his absence) will decide whether the reasons set forth in a motion for emergency relief actually constitute an emergency. If the judge determines that the motion does allege a bona fide emergency, he/she will take whatever action is deemed appropriate, including entry of an ex-parte order if permissible and warranted under the law. Your emergency motion must have the word emergency in the title of the motion and be sure to also file your motion with the Clerk of Court and check the emergency button on the Clerk's website so the motion is processed timely.

Scheduling:

If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.

Return to TOC

G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Format:

Physical exhibits must be Pre-Marked

ALL In-person hearings: ALL Physical exhibits must be PRE-MARKED with Date, case number, submitted by Plaintiff or Defendant, exhibit number, check box or line "Admitted into Evidence Yes or No" and whether item comes from Respondent or Petitioner.

Return to TOC

H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences

If, after the parties develop a pretrial stipulation, any party believes a pretrial conference will be in the interest of judicial economy, they should contact the judicial assistant to determine whether the Judge will be able to specially-set a pretrial conference. Whether at a pretrial conference or at a hearing of more limited scope, in the interest of saving prospective juror time and in an effort to focus the parties' evidence presentation prior to commencement of the trial, the Judge will attempt to hear argument on motions in limine prior to the first day of trial.

DAUBERT: Any party seeking to exclude evidence under a Daubert analysis shall file a motion with the court specifically identifying the basis for the Daubert challenge. All Daubert motions shall be scheduled and heard prior to the commencement of the trial docket.

In no event will the Judge entertain unnecessary motions in limine such as ones which do no more than seek an order prohibiting counsel from violating the rules of evidence or procedure. Examples include making "Golden Rule" arguments during closing argument, or expressing personal beliefs.

Return to TOC

I. Setting Case for Trial

Residential Foreclosure cases (see instructions above).

When a case is at issue and ready to be set for trial, e-mail an e-filed stamped courtesy copy to the Court as follows:

• CAD-DivisionAE@pbcgov.org
• Subject Line: Notice to Set Trial & Style of Case

In cases where all parties are represented by counsel, the notice shall contain each attorney's name and telephone number, and the Order will be provided to all registered parties via Judicial eService.

In cases where one or more parties are NOT represented by an attorney, the notice shall contain the name and registered e-mail address for the attorney and the physical street address for any pro se party. Mail a copy of the Notice to Set Trial with a self-addressed stamped envelope for all pro se parties and the Court will mail the trial order.

Prior to calendar call, counsel must have:

1. participated in mediation,
2. held a pretrial conference,
3. exchanged exhibit and witness lists,
4. agreed on the length of time the trial will take, including jury selection where applicable,
5. agreed on time periods during the upcoming trial docket when all counsel are available,
6. filed the pretrial stipulation,
7. collaborated on proposed jury instructions, providing trial clerk with a single copy, noting the parties differences, if any, on any specific provision,
8. pre-marked the exhibits in accordance with instructions of the clerk and comptroller,
9. scheduled for hearing prior to trial any motion in limine or other pretrial motion and
10. If there is a need for continuance, parties must file the appropriate Motion to Continue Trial and set it immediately on the Courts UMC docket using the the Court's Online Services (OLS).

All calendar calls are conducted via an E-Calendar Call Form (found as exhibit A in your Trial Order) or can also be found under our Divisional Forms and Orders section. Parties are directed to jointly fill out the Form and upload to the case event via E-Courtesy on the day of your ordered calendar call due date. Parties are NOT to appear in person or via ZOOM. The online trial docket will be posted by the following Wednesday after the scheduled Calendar Call date.

Settlement

Plaintiff shall e-file a Notice of Settlement with the Clerk of Court and shall submit an e-filed stamped copy to the Court via email to CAD-DivisionAE@pbcgov.org. The subject line shall indicate: NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT and the notice shall include any pending trial or hearing dates.

Return to TOC

J. Forms

Frequently used forms and orders in this division may be found on the AE Forms and Orders page.

See complete listing of Administrative Orders.

Return to TOC

K. VA Court

Palm Beach County's Veteran's Court convenes at 1:00 PM on Mondays at the Gun Club Judicial Complex before Judge Shull, Courtroom 1. This is a resolution court for United States military veterans who have pending criminal charges. This is a joint effort between the local criminal justice system and the Veteran's Administration. The VA provides services to eligible veterans for issues relating to substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness.

For questions please contact the JA directly at (561) 355-1980.

L. Other Division Procedures

ADA Accommodations:

If you need an ADA accommodation, please call 561‐355‐4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1‐800‐955‐8771. You can also fax 561‐656‐7662, or e‐mail ADA@pbcgov.org.

Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the Circuit ADA web page.

Interpreter Requests:

Information on interpreters' services can be found on the circuit's website on the Court Interpreters page.

Please bring your own translator.

Other Division Procedures:

Audio Visual Equipment Requests

The Judicial Assistant does not handle requests regarding Audio Visual equipment and other courtroom accommodations. These matters are handled by the Court Technology in coordination with the Court Room Deputy. You are free to use outside vendors. Court Administration has some equipment available as well. Any requests for media equipment from the Court, please complete the Courtroom Media Request form and submit it to Court Technology at least 5 days prior to trial.

The courtroom is a medium sized courtroom with an eight (8) seat jury box. There is a large monitor for Zoom appearances and electronic exhibits can be displayed on the large television screen in the courtroom. Electronic evidence is best displayed using the share screen function of Zoom. Alternatively, it may be displayed utilizing a dongle connecting a laptop to the courtroom system. If you are utilizing Zoom in person in the Courtroom please be sure to press the "Join without audio" option. If you do, you will be connected to the courtroom's audio and video system. If you join with audio, even if are muted, there will be an echo and you will not be connected to the courtroom's system.

Questions and Advice:

The Judge, Judicial Assistant and Court staff do not provide legal advice regarding how to proceed with any case. For assistance, you can contact the Self-Help Center at (561) 355-7048 located on the first floor of the Main West Palm Beach Courthouse or visit the self-service center in the Clerk's Office in the Satellite Courthouses. You may also go to The Palm Beach County Clerk's website to seek information. Additionally, the Palm Beach County Bar Association has a lawyer referral and information service at (561) 687-3266 and you can visit The Palm Beach Bar website. If you are unrepresented for financial reasons, you may contact the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County (561) 655-8944, toll-free: (800) 403-9353 or the Legal Aid website.

Return to TOC