Judge Raymond Forbess Jr.
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Exhibits
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 Requirements4 rules
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF if filed via the e-portal; or Word format if emailed to the JA.
- File type
- Proposed order
Format: PDF format or Word document.
- File type
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Label each exhibit as “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant A.”
Document Filing Requirements7 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.
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
In all cases requesting remote appearances, the party must submit a proper motion and gain authorization from the Court.
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).
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Every proposed order must include a cover letter certifying party agreement or identifying any disagreement about the order.
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.
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.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal, with email to the judicial assistant permitted when an issue exists or the portal is unavailable.
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
All materials may be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at ShellyH@ClayClerk.com.
All materials may be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at ShellyH@ClayClerk.com
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Unless the court orders otherwise, all hearing materials must be received no later than 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
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court at least 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
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
The cancellation notice must be served immediately 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 are required for every 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
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and every party to use at the hearing or trial.
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.
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy copies may be delivered to the court by email.
Submission Method: e-mail or U.S. mail.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
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
A continuance may be granted only when good cause is shown.
granted only upon good cause shown.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The court disfavors continuances.
Continuances are disfavored and will be
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
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
All parties must be copied on email sent to the judicial office unless 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.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email with a subject line containing the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to shellyh@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
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must contact the judicial office only in accordance with the stated practices and procedures.
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
Hearings must be requested by email to the judicial assistant, with opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant copied.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to shellyh@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