Judge Sara Alijewicz
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits, Motion
- Email • Upon Submission
Filings > 20 pages
Notice of Hearing, Motion
- Before Hearing
E Filed Document
Court-wide
Adjournments
- Continuance motions are disfavored and require good cause.
- Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
- A continuance motion must state the reason and timing of the need, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed ready date with party agreement status.
Request must include
- Continuance motions must be submitted at least 10 days before the scheduled court date unless exigent circumstances apply.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Any person appearing remotely must dress and behave professionally in the same manner as if physically present in the courtroom.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Insert label preference (e.g., "Petitioner/Plaintiff/State 1" or "Respondent/Defendant 1").
Any person appearing remotely must be in a private location that is quiet and free from distractions.
Formatting
- •Remote participants must be in a private, quiet location free from distractions
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.
Any person appearing remotely must enable the person's camera when joining the proceeding and keep the camera turned on until instructed otherwise by the court.
The Court prefers all orders to be submitted in WORD format through the Court's Online Services with service to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
- Preferred format
- Word
- Proposed order
Document Filing Requirements22 rules
A notice of voluntary dismissal must include certification showing that a copy was furnished by mail or hand delivery and stating the date of service.
Court's wording
I certify that a copy here of has been furnished to: ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ by ____mail or by ____hand delivery, this ____day of ______________________, 20____.
Emergency Motions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts before submitting to the Judge for review.
This request is emailed to CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org asking for hearing dates and times, specifying what Motion is being heard, how much time is needed and cc'ing the opposing party.
Special set hearings may not be cancelled without court order.
The motion(s) must be filed and docketed with the Clerk of Court prior to requesting a hearing date and time.
File a notice for trial to set the case for trial.
An emergency-hearing motion must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.
Court's wording
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party's presentation.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Unless excused by the court in advance, all CMCs are mandatory for attorneys and self-represented litigants.
I certify that a copy of this document that a copy of this document was served on the other party on this case by email (if the party has registered for e-service) or otherwise via U.S. Mail.
Division forms must be used for all relevant filings.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judge's insert remote platform credentials.
Any objection to the use of communication technology must be made by motion.
The parties shall provide copies of all intended exhibits, evidence or demonstratives to the Clerk as per the trial order.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial, if necessary.
All hearings are eligible for remote appearance except Domestic Violence hearings. All Domestic Violence hearings will be in person.
Every proposed order must include confirmation of party agreement or identify any disagreement.
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of all parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
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.
Telephonic appearances are allowed with prior Court order.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference
All parties shall abide by Local Rule 4 to try to resolve the matter and certify the good faith attempt to resolve on the Notice of Hearing.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Civil hearings must be requested through the CAD-DivisionRA platform and family hearings through the CAD-DivisionFW platform.
Hearings must be requested using the court's online scheduling platform CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org (for civil cases) or CAD-DivisionFW@pbcgov.org (for family cases).
Electronic exhibits must be submitted 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Electronic exhibits must be submitted 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Hearings lasting 15 minutes or less must be scheduled through the Online Scheduling System in a UMC docket.
Hearings of 15 minutes or less must be scheduled through the Online Scheduling System in a UMC docket.
If granted, the moving party must schedule the requested CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform.
If the court grants the request for a CMC or status conference, the moving party must schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform.
Self-represented litigants excused from email service may submit proposed orders in Word format by email, mail, or hand delivery.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court in WORD format by email to CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org, U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
The court uses Zoom for remote appearances.
The court uses zoom for remote appearances
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All hearing materials must be received by the court no later than 20 business days before the hearing.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later 20 business days before the hearing.
All other exhibits must be received 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All other exhibits must be received in 20 days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits and evidence must be sent to the court and parties no later than 20 days before the hearing.
All exhibits and evidence must be sent to the Court and parties no later than 20 days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after the hearing unless the court states otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the Court.
Papers intended for reliance at a scheduled hearing must be filed with the court in advance of the hearing.
All papers upon which the parties intend to rely for their scheduled hearings must be filed with the Court in advance of the hearing.
UMC hearings may be canceled through the Online Scheduling System without court approval.
UMC hearings can be cancelled in OLS without court approval.
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.
Hearing cancellations require immediate notice to the judicial assistant and immediate filing and service of a cancellation notice.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
By opting in, the self-represented litigant agrees that court filings and written communications will be sent to the designated email addresses instead of regular U.S. Mail.
1. By completing this form, I am agreeing to have the Court, the Clerk’s Office, and the opposing party to send copies of court filings and other written communications to me through my designated e-mail address(es) and NOT through regular U.S. Mail.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
The clerk of court must serve a copy of the e-service designation notice on every other party.
Pursuant to Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.080(f) the Clerk of Court shall serve a copy of this Notice on all other parties.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
The self-represented litigant must keep the court, clerk, and opposing parties informed of current mailing and email addresses, and future filings and communications will be served at the designated email addresses.
2. I understand that I must keep the Court, Clerk’s Office and the opposing party or parties notified of my current mailing and e-mail address(es) and that all future orders/judgment, notices or other written communications or pleadings in this lawsuit will be served at the email address(es) provided above.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
A self-represented litigant may opt into e-service by designating up to three email addresses.
I, (full legal name______________________, designate my e-mail address(es) below (up to 3 different email address) to opt in e-service in this case.
Page 1 | NOTICE OF DESIGNATION OF EMAIL ADDRESS FOR E-SERVICE (Self-Represented Litigant)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the notice and motion must be sent through Online Scheduling at least five business days before the hearing.
Send a courtesy copy of the notice and motion to the Court through On-Line Scheduling at least 5 business days before the hearing.
When hearing materials exceed 20 pages, parties should submit hard copies to the Court.
If the submitted materials exceed a total of 20 pages, the parties should submit hard copies of documents, exhibits, or binders to the Court.
Parties may email exhibits needed for the court's review with a courtesy copy of the motion to the division email address.
In addition, Parties may submit exhibits necessary for the Court to review in anticipation of the hearing along with a courtesy copy of motion to the division email CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org.
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must state the reason and timing of the need, opposition status, readiness actions and dates, and proposed ready date with party agreement status.
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties.
Continuance motions must be submitted at least 10 days before the scheduled court date unless exigent circumstances apply.
Motions for continuance must be submitted at least 10 days prior to the scheduled court date for which the continuance is sought, barring exigent circumstances.
Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e).
Continuance motions are disfavored and require good cause.
Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Chambers Communication Rules
Hearings longer than 15 minutes must be scheduled by email with opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant copied.
Hearings of more than 15 minutes must be scheduled by e-mailing the judicial assistant and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to the dedicated division email account.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account.
All parties must be copied on judicial-office emails when email is available.
All parties must be included on any and all emails if email is available.
Special-set hearings longer than 15 minutes must be scheduled by contacting the judicial assistant by telephone or email.
Please contact the Judicial Assistant to Judge Alijewicz, at (561) 996-4841 and/or CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org to schedule hearings for ANY division that are special set and longer than 15 minutes.
If no hearing date or time is available on the scheduling platform, the scheduling party should email the judicial assistant and copy the other parties to coordinate scheduling.
If parties are unable to identify a hearing date and time on CAD-DivisionRA@pbcgov.org (for civil cases) or CAD-DivisionFW@pbcgov.org (for family cases) scheduling platform, the scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate scheduling the hearing.
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
The judicial office must be contacted by telephone at the listed number, and text messages are not accepted.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by telephone call to (561) 996-4841. The judicial office does not accept text messages.
The judicial assistant may not provide legal advice.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Each email to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter(e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Emails sent to or from the judicial office may be public records subject to disclosure.
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
The judicial assistant aims to substantively respond to inquiries within one business day.
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day.