Judge Hector Murcia Bustos
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Specified Document
- No Later Than Two Days Before Evidentiary Proceeding
Trial or Hearing Set Memo
Court-wide
Adjournments
- A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements3 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF if filed via the e-portal; or Word format if emailed to the JA.
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Submit in PDF when filed through the e-portal
Exhibits must be submitted on paper, labeled as directed, and accompanied by sufficient copies for the clerk, court, and each party.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Label exhibits as Petitioner/Plaintiff 1 or Respondent/Defendant A, as applicable
Court's wording
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format. 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. Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.
Format: PDF format or Word document.
- Case law
- Specified document
Formatting
- •Submit the courtesy copy in PDF format or as a Word document
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Every proposed order must include a cover letter certifying unanimous agreement or identifying the parties' disagreement.
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
In all cases requesting remote appearances, the party must submit a proper motion and gain authorization from the Court.
An emergency-hearing motion must state the issues, explain the need for emergency relief, and specify each party's presentation time.
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.
When requesting an emergency hearing, the parties shall inform the Court on how long the hearing shall take to ensure proper time is allotted.
• Procedure: File a notice for trial to set or Motion to Set the case for trial.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
• Requirements: Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Proposed orders ordinarily must be submitted through the e-filing portal, but counsel may email the judicial assistant if the portal has an issue or is down.
Submission Method: E-Filing Portal. However, if there is an issue or the e-portal is down, counsel may email the JA.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Unless the court orders otherwise, all hearing materials must be received at least five business days before the hearing.
Unless otherwise ordered, the Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five business days before the hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A proposed order must be submitted within 30 days after the hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 30 days after any hearing.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
All exhibits must be received in chambers five days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers five days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
All exhibits and case law must be submitted five days before the hearing.
All exhibits and case law shall be submitted five days prior to the hearing.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
The judicial office will respond to email inquiries within forty-eight hours unless the judicial assistant is out of the office.
Response time to email inquiries will be within forty-eight hours unless the judicial assistant is out of the office.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after the hearing time is reserved and confirmed.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving and receiving confirmation of a hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A notice of hearing cancellation must be immediately filed and served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified documents must be submitted to the court for an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified document must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must reach the court no later than two days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than two days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies may be submitted by email or United States mail.
Submission Method: e-mail or U.S. mail.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unless good cause is shown, the party requesting a continuance must sign the 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).
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3, and all parties must be copied on emails unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless 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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by email, with the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to blunckm@clayclerk.com. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearing requests must be emailed to the judicial assistant, with opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant copied.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to blunckm@clayclerk.com. The scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A hearing must be cancelled by immediately notifying the judicial assistant.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must follow the judicial office’s practices and procedures when contacting it.
Unsolicited communications from non- parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The judicial assistant must be contacted to obtain the remote-appearance platform meeting identification number.
Contact the judicial assistant to obtain the platform meeting ID#.
Page 3 | C. Remote Appearance
All materials may be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at blunckm@clayclerk.com.
All materials may be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at blunckm@clayclerk.com
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings