Judge Michael A. Robinson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Motion
- 1 copy • At Least Four Business Days Prior to Hearing
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- 1 copy
Motion for Rehearing
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Notice of Change of Plea
Court-wide
Adjournments
- Trial continuances will be considered only for good cause on written motion prior to calendar call, require party consent per Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460 and 2.545(e), and continued cases must be reset for trial via the Online Scheduling System.
- If there has been a request for an extension of time an ex parte motion may not be utilized.
Request must include
- If your matter is resolved, please timely cancel your hearing online in the same manner in which it was set. Where possible, please cancel by 3:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the hearing.
- Special set hearings may not be cancelled absent agreement on the merits or court approval; cancel online as soon as possible or by 3:00 p.m. the business day prior, and notify the court reporting service.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits5 rules
Motions set on motion calendar shall not exceed four (4) pages and motions scheduled for special set hearing shall not exceed ten (10) pages.
- Motion calendar motion
- Up to 4 pages
- Special set motion
- Up to 10 pages
- Motion
The opposing statement of material facts shall not exceed ten (10) pages.
- Opposing statement of material facts
- Up to 10 pages
The statement shall not exceed ten (10) pages.
- Page limit
- Up to 10 pages
A response to a motion calendar matter shall not exceed three (3) pages and a response to a special set matter shall not exceed seven (7) pages.
- Response to motion calendar matter
- Up to 3 pages
- Response to special set matter
- Up to 7 pages
- Response
A motion requesting relief from the page limitation may not exceed 2 pages.
- Motion for relief from page limitation
- Up to 2 pages
- Motion
Court's wording
A motion requesting relief from the page limitation shall not exceed two (2) pages, specify what efforts have been made to comply with the page limitation, specify the length of the proposed filing and do not include any attachments.
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Font size shall not be less than 12 points.
- Font size
- 12 points
The signature line must be on the last page of the submission. However, the signature line must not be on a page alone.
Document Filing Requirements18 rules
Every party setting a motion for UMC hearing must execute a Local Rule 10(A) certification of good faith attempt to resolve and that the issue can be resolved within five minutes.
Court's wording
To comply with the Local Rule 10(A), every party setting a motion for hearing shall execute the following certification: I hereby certify that, 1. I have made a good faith attempt to resolve this matter prior to my noticing this motion for hearing, and 2. The issues before the Court may be heard and resolved by the court within five (5) minutes.
The online scheduling receipt; The notice of hearing; (Note: the Notice of Hearing must include information on ZOOM. Please do not notice any physical hearings in the courthouse at this time.) The motion together with all items to which the motion is directed. For motions to dismiss, include the complaint. For discovery motions, include the subject discovery.
The filed motion along with a proposed order MUST BE submitted electronically for the Court's consideration.
- Document
- Motion for rehearing
Must include
- •Proposed order
Orders After Hearing. The order reflects the court's ruling at a previous hearing and the language is agreed to by all parties. The order must contain the date of hearing and type of motion.
Attorneys who want evidence considered at a hearing must upload proposed exhibits (with Bates numbers) as Supporting Documents through the CMS portal before the hearing.
Court's wording
Prior to the hearing, the attorney who desires evidence must upload proposed exhibits as "Supporting Documents" for the hearing/motion through the CMS portal and if opposed, be prepared to lay a predicate for their admission in evidence. Use Bates numbers on all proposed exhibits so they can be identified for the court record.
The opposing statement of material facts must respond paragraph-by-paragraph to each individually numbered statement in the movant's statement.
Court's wording
A responding party's opposing statement of material facts must specifically respond to each statement in the movant's statement by setting forth each of the individually numbered paragraphs contained in the movant's statement and after each paragraph, detail respondent's response or opposition.
For default final judgments, include the complaint portion stating the specific dollar amount with the AOI; a hearing is required if relief beyond well-pleaded liquidated damages (e.g., attorney fees or unliquidated damages) is sought.
Court's wording
Motions for Default Final Judgment. A hearing may not be required if the Plaintiff has pleaded a specific dollar amount in the complaint. Please include a copy of that portion of the complaint that states the specific dollar amount with your AOI. If the Plaintiff is seeking any relief beyond well-pleaded liquidated damages, a hearing is required, Minkoff v. Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 103 So.3d 1049 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013). Attorney fees and other unliquidated damages will require either an evidentiary or a summary judgment hearing.
Each material fact requiring evidentiary support must be in an individually numbered paragraph with a specific pincite to exhibit pages/paragraph/line numbers; general citations without pincites are not permitted.
Court's wording
Each material fact in the statement that requires evidentiary support shall be set forth in an individually numbered paragraph and supported by a specific citation. This specific citation shall reference pages (and paragraph or line numbers, if applicable) of the cited exhibit(s). When a material fact requires evidentiary support, a general citation to an exhibit, without a page number or pincite, is not permitted.
The moving party shall file a statement of material facts as a separate filing from a motion for summary judgment.
All exhibits referenced in the response or opposing statement of material facts must be filed on the docket, including complete deposition transcripts with all exhibits.
Court's wording
Each exhibit referenced in the response to the motion for summary judgment and/or in the opposing statement of material facts must be filed on the docket. Exhibits which have already been filed on the docket need not be refiled. If a deposition transcript is relied upon, a complete copy must be filed which includes all exhibits.
In a motion or petition for an order, the movant shall include a concise statement of the relief requested, a statement of the basis for the request and citation to legal authority, statutory and case law, in support of the motion.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Legal argument
A proposed order granting withdrawal must include the client's address, email and phone number plus prescribed language for individual clients (20 days to retain counsel or file pro se notice) and business entities (counsel to file notice of appearance within 20 days).
- Document
- Proposed order granting withdrawal
- Placement
- Body of the document
Court's wording
If you do not have client written consent in accordance with Fla. R. Jud. Adm. 2.505, please notice the client with both the motion and the notice of hearing. In the body of the proposed order granting withdrawal please include the client's address, email address and phone number. If the client is an individual please include the following language in the Order: Within 20 days client shall either retain new counsel who must file a Written Notice of Appearance with the Clerk of Court; or the client must file a written notice with the Clerk of Court advising that he or she will be representing himself or herself (pro se). If the client is a business entity please include the following language in the Order, (Name of Client) shall be represented by counsel who shall file a Written Notice of Appearance within 20 days of the date of the order.
All exhibits referenced in a summary judgment motion or statement of material facts must be filed on the docket, with complete deposition transcripts including all exhibits.
Court's wording
Each exhibit referenced in the motion for summary judgment and/or in the statement of material facts must be filed on the docket. Exhibits which have already been filed on the docket need not be refiled. If a deposition transcript is referenced, a complete copy must be filed which includes all exhibits.
A motion requesting relief from the page limitation shall not exceed two (2) pages, specify what efforts have been made to comply with the page limitation, specify the length of the proposed filing and do not include any attachments.
A motion requesting telephone appearance must include a proposed order indicating the name of the attorney who will appear by phone.
Court's wording
Requests for phone hearings and/or appearances by phone will be addressed in accordance with Fla. R. Jud. Adm. 2.530. Please include with your motion an order indicating the name of the attorney who will be appearing via telephone for the hearing.
If your case settles, please email Ms. Stitt immediately. Provide the Court with an e-filed copy of the Final Order of Dismissal, Notice Of Settlement or Notice of Voluntary Dismissal when appropriate.
Quiet Title and Partition actions require an affidavit or certified copy of the deed upon which you rely.
Each party opposing a motion or petition may file a response that includes citation to legal authority, statutory and case law in opposition to the request.
- Document
- Response
May include
- •Legal argument
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Self-represented parties must file all requests with the Clerk of Court and deliver or email them to chambers.
If you represent yourself, any requests you are making of the Judge need to be filed with te Clerk of Court and delivered or emailed to chambers.
Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED ("Pro Se") PARTIES
All parties must use the 17th Judicial Circuit's online Case Management System to schedule motion calendar and special set hearings, schedule calendar call/trial, and upload e-orders.
PARTIES ARE REQUIRED TO UTILIZE THE ONLINE ELECTRONIC SCHEDULING SYSTEM FOR THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT "CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" TO SCHEDULE MOTION CALENDAR, SPECIAL SET HEARINGS, SCHEDULING CASES FOR TRIAL (CALENDAR CALL) AND UPLOADING E-ORDERS
Page 1 | General Division Information
Hard copies of pleadings, motions, or supporting materials may not be mailed, FedExed, or UPS'd for hearings; all motions and related papers must be uploaded as Supporting Documents in time for the Court's pre-hearing review.
Please Note: DO NOT Mail, Fed Ex or UPS hard copies of pleadings, motions or supporting materials for any hearing. All motions and related papers must be uploaded as Supporting Documents and must be uploaded in time for the Court's review before the hearing.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (a) / 5. Special Set Hearing Dockets
Motions for rehearing/reconsideration must comply with Administrative Order 2017-33-GEN, may not be set for hearing, and must be submitted electronically with a proposed order and all parties included in the email.
Motions for Rehearing/Reconsideration. The moving party must comply with Adm. Order No. 2017-33-GEN . “Administrative Order Regarding Motion for Rehearing.” DO NOT set a hearing regarding the motion. The filed motion along with a proposed order MUST BE submitted electronically for the Court’s consideration. YOU MUST include all parties in your email to the Court.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (a)
Orders and judgments may be uploaded electronically, but uploads must not include correspondence, motions or stipulations, and motions/stipulations must already be on the docket.
Orders and Judgments may be uploaded. Do not include correspondence, motions or stipulations. Motions and stipulations must appear on the docket prior to uploading.
Page 1 | 9. Electronic Orders and Judgments (a)
Hearing documents may be mailed or FedExed, but uploading is preferred and documents should also be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
You may mail or fedex any documents for the hearing. Preferably they can be uploaded and they should also be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
Page 1 | UPLOADING DOCUMENTS FOR HEARINGS
Orders after any hearing should be uploaded to the CMS system for review/approval of the Court BUT should not be uploaded until after all parties review and approve of the language on the order.
Orders after any hearing should be uploaded to the CMS system for review/approval of the Court BUT should not be uploaded until after all parties review and approve of the language on the order.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (a)(4)
Documents may be uploaded as Supporting Documents even before a hearing is scheduled, as long as the uploader is on the service list.
Even if you have not scheduled the hearing, you can upload the documents through "SUPPORTING DOCUMENT" as long as your name is on the service list.
Page 1 | SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Self-represented parties may obtain permission to use the Online Scheduling System.
Self-Represented parties may obtain permission to utilize the Online Scheduling System.
Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
Self-represented litigants may register for the CMS at www.17th.flcourts.org via the Pro se Registration Form and, once accepted, can view and schedule hearings.
If you represent yourself you can register for CMS by going to: www.17th.flcourts.org. 1. Self Help 2. Court Management System Help 3. CMS Manuals 4. New User 5. Pro se Registration Form Fill out the request form and, when accepted, you can view and schedule hearings.
Page 1 | Pro Se REGISTRATION FORM
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Within 15 days of receiving the agreements, objections and disclosures, the moving party must reply in writing to each objection, agreeing or citing contrary authority.
Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the agreements, objections and disclosures, the moving party shall reply in writing to each objection, either agreeing with the objection, or if not, citing any contrary legal authority.
Page 1 | Scheduling Order Attorney Fees & Costs
Within 24 hours of filing a response to a summary judgment motion, the responding party must separately file an index of the cited exhibits.
Within twenty-four (24) hours of filing a response to the motion for summary judgment, the responding party shall separately file an index of the cited exhibits which names each exhibit and references the docket entry at which that exhibit may be found.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (d)
Within 15 days of receiving the movant's disclosures, the non-moving party must respond in writing to each line item, agree or state the basis for objection, provide their expert's name/address/CV, cite authority, and state a reasonable amount where partially agreeing.
Within fifteen (15) days of receiving movant's disclosures, the non-moving party shall respond in writing to each line item of cost and fees. The Response shall agree to each item in whole or in part, or state the legal and factual basis for any objection of the whole or part in question, provide the name, address and C.V. of their expert, and cite any supporting legal authority. If there is an agreement as to the entitlement in part to a particular fee/cost item, but disagreement with the total amount requested, the non-moving party shall state the amount believed to be reasonable.
Page 1 | Scheduling Order Attorney Fees & Costs
Within 15 days of the fee entitlement order, the moving party must give opposing counsel all invoices, time records, cancelled checks, service records, expert name/address/CV, and other supporting documentation for the fees and costs requested.
Within fifteen (15) days of issuing the Order of Entitlement to Attorney Fees, the moving party shall provide opposing counsel with a copy of all invoices, time records, cancelled checks, records evidencing services rendered, the name, address and C.V. of their expert witness, and any other supporting documentation (which may be the entire file other than the records kept in the Court file and any transcripts) for the fees and costs requested.
Page 1 | Scheduling Order Attorney Fees & Costs
Within 24 hours of filing a summary judgment motion, the movant must separately file an index of the cited exhibits naming each exhibit and its docket entry.
Within twenty-four (24) hours of filing a motion for summary judgment, the movant shall separately file an index of the cited exhibits which names each exhibit and references the docket entry at which that exhibit may be found.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (d)
Motion calendar hearings must be scheduled at least five days in advance.
Any person scheduling a motion calendar shall set the same a minimum of five (5) days in advance of the hearing.
Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Rule 1.510 requires the summary judgment motion to be served at least 40 days before the hearing.
Remember Rule 1.510 requires that the motion be served at least 40 days before the time set for the hearing and requires the non movant to serve a response at least 20 days before the time set for the hearing.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (d)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the motion and all related papers must be uploaded to CMS "supporting documents" at least four business days before the hearing.
All hearings must be coordinated with opposing counsel. A courtesy copy of the motion and all related papers must be uploaded onto the CMS system "supporting documents" at least four (4) business days prior to the hearing and should include the below:
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (a)
Filing Bundling Requirements
Add-ons to existing UMC hearings are prohibited unless all parties agree, and no more than two motions may be noticed per case on UMC.
Parties cannot add-on to an existing UMC hearing unless AGREED to by all parties. Add-ons will only be heard within the allotted time, both sides get equal time. No more than two motions may be noticed for a case on UMC.
Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
No reply or further memorandum may be filed on a motion or response unless the Court grants leave.
No party shall file any reply or further memorandum directed to the motion or response allowed in (a) and (b) unless the Court grants leave.
Page 1 | 1. Motions - Page and Other Limitations
Hearings over 15 minutes require Court review before dates are provided: email the motion with attachments and case law (copying all parties) with a cover letter stating requested time for both sides, then contact Ms. Stitt by email for potential dates, and notice the hearing only after Ms. Stitt authorizes it by email.
Any hearings over 15 minutes must be reviewed by the Court before any dates are provided. Please provide via email, remember to copy all parties to the email (please do not mail in hard copies) a copy of the motion (with all attachments) and any case law to the Court and indicate on a cover letter how much time is requested for both sides. Also, please include correct email addresses for all parties. You should contact Ms. Stitt via email (copy all parties) within a few days after receipt of the documents, for potential hearing dates. Once a date has been agreed to by all parties, please advise Ms. Stitt by email. Ms. Stitt will then authorize you, by email, to serve and file a notice of hearing for the appropriate date. Failure to strictly comply with this procedure may result in the inability to schedule future special set hearings.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (d)
Before setting a matter on UMC, the noticing party must attempt to resolve or narrow the issues by direct communication with all parties and certify the good-faith attempt.
Prior to setting any matter on uniform motion calendar, the party or parties noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter by direct communication with all parties, and shall also certify a good faith attempt to resolve or narrow the issues contained in the motion. Direct communication means by oral or written communication, including by telephone, in person, email, or text messaging.
Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
The fee/cost amount hearing may not occur until all counsel file a certification that all fee/cost discovery is complete.
The hearing to determine the amount of fees/costs to award shall not take place until all counsel file a certification with the Court that all discovery in connection with all fee/cost issues, has been completed.
Page 1 | Scheduling Order Attorney Fees & Costs
A reply statement of (material) facts is not permitted in summary judgment practice.
A reply statement of facts is not permitted.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (d)
Attorney fee hearings will not be scheduled until the attorney fee scheduling order is complied with; a copy of the fee motion must be provided to Ms. Stitt so the Court can issue a scheduling order.
An attorney fee hearing will not be scheduled until there has been compliance with the attorney fee scheduling order. (see last page of procedures). Please provide Ms. Stitt with a copy of your attorney fee motion so that a scheduling order may be issued by the Court.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (g)
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Trial continuances will be considered only for good cause on written motion prior to calendar call, require party consent per Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460 and 2.545(e), and continued cases must be reset for trial via the Online Scheduling System.
Motions to Continue Trial. In accordance with the Uniform Pretrial Order, continuances will only be considered for good cause on written motion prior to calendar call. Also, please comply with Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.460 and 2.545 (e) regarding party consent. If the case is continued the parties must reset it for trial using the Online Scheduling System.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (b)
If there has been a request for an extension of time an ex parte motion may not be utilized.
If there has been a request for an extension of time an ex parte motion may not be utilized.
Page 1 | 9. Electronic Orders and Judgments (c)
Special set hearings may not be cancelled absent agreement on the merits or court approval; cancel online as soon as possible or by 3:00 p.m. the business day prior, and notify the court reporting service.
In accordance with Local Rule 10A special set hearings may not be cancelled absent an agreement on the merits or court approval. If your matter is resolved, please cancel your hearing online in the same manner in which it was set. Please cancel as soon as possible so that someone else may use the time slot. Otherwise, please cancel by 3:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the hearing. Notify the court reporting service.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (e)
If your matter is resolved, please timely cancel your hearing online in the same manner in which it was set. Where possible, please cancel by 3:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the hearing.
If your matter is resolved, please timely cancel your hearing online in the same manner in which it was set. Where possible, please cancel by 3:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the hearing.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (b)(1)
Chambers Communication Rules
If a case settles before trial, the scheduling party must immediately email notification to Ms. Stitt.
If a case is settled prior to the trial date, the scheduling party MUST immediately provide email notification to Ms. Stitt.
Page 1 | 2. Motions (b)
Do not call the Judicial Assistant to confirm procedures or hearings, check whether documents have been received or signed, or for CMS technical support.
Please DO NOT CALL the Judicial Assistant to confirm these procedures, hearings, to see if your documents have been received or signed by the Judge and/or for technical support using the Court Management System (CMS).
Page 1 | 2. Motions (d) - note
Relief may not be requested by email or phone to the Judge or Judicial Assistant; the appropriate motion must be filed.
Do not ask for relief by contacting via email or telephonically the Judge or Judicial Assistant. File the appropriate Motion.
Page 1 | Alternatives are Available
Emails to the Judicial Assistant must state the case style and case number in the subject line, copy all parties, say only "see attached" in the body, attach only documents already filed and served, and include no comments or lengthy cover letters.
IMPORTANT NOTE: when emailing the Judicial Assistant please do the following: On the subject line of the email type the Case Style and the Case Number; In the body of the email, confirm that all parties to the case (Plaintiff or Plaintiff's Attorney(s) and Defendant or Defendant's Attorney(s) are listed and copied to the email. Do not write anything else other than "see attached". Confirm that whatever attachments, that may be added to the email, have been properly filed with the Clerk of the Court and served upon all parties to the case; and, Please do not write comments in the body of the email as this type of communication is not shared with the Court. If a cover letter accompanies the filed motion, please keep it simple.
Page 1 | IMPORTANT NOTE: when emailing the Judicial Assistant
Special Set Hearings for up to 15 minutes may be set online. Please do not contact Ms. Stitt to set a hearing requiring 15 minutes or less or to confirm the hearing after it has been scheduled.
Special Set Hearings for up to 15 minutes may be set online. Please do not contact Ms. Stitt to set a hearing requiring 15 minutes or less or to confirm the hearing after it has been scheduled.
Page 1 | 3. Hearings (c)
Pro se parties may not call the Judicial Assistant for advice on what to file or how to prepare filings; the Clerk's office may help with forms.
The Judicial Assistant is not a lawyer and handles scheduling only, therefore, do not call and ask for advice on what to file or how to prepare anything. On some matters, you may be able to go to the Clerk of Court's office on the fourth floor and they can help you with their forms.
Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED ("Pro Se") PARTIES
The Judicial Assistant will not resolve unilateral hearing scheduling disputes; parties must coordinate through CMS or set the hearing on UMC.
DO NOT ask the judicial assistant to get involved in the scheduling of unilaterally online hearings. The CMS system was created so that both parties can coordinate the hearings. The judicial assistant is not an arbitrator of your scheduling disputes. Set a hearing on UMC.
Page 1 | UNILATERALLY ONLINE HEARINGS
CMS questions and technical issues should be directed to the IT department at calendar@17th.flcourts.org.
If you have further questions on this or any other CMS issue please contact our IT department: calendar@17th.flcourts.org
Page 1 | UPLOADING DOCUMENTS FOR HEARINGS