Judge Robert M. Dees
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Attorney filings
- At Least 3 to 5 Business Days Before Scheduled Hearing
Courtesy copies
- By the Date Included in the Judicial Assistant’s Email Confirming the Scheduled Hearing
Emergency Motion, Motion for Rehearing Motions, Motion for New Trial Motions
Filings > 50 pages
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date and ordinarily must be signed by the requesting party.
Communication
Intake Unit
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements6 rules
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT THE SAME ORDER THROUGH THE E-PORTAL AND BY EMAIL OR MAIL AS THIS MAY CAUSE DUPLICATE ENTRY OF AN ORDER.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Exhibits must be submitted to the Foreclosure Case Management Office in paper format.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant A”.
ORDERS SUBMITTED BY MAIL OR EMAIL SHOULD NOT HAVE E-PORTAL CODES.
PLEASE DO NOT PUT “PROPOSED” IN THE TITLE OF AN ORDER.
Document Filing Requirements22 rules
As noted on the form, please include telephone numbers and email addresses for counsel and e-filing addresses, as well as the name and e-filing address of the mediator chosen by the parties.
All sections of the trial set memorandum must be completed and please type or print clearly.
Counsel seeking to present testimony remotely at an evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial must file a written good-cause motion and email a courtesy copy of the motion and a proposed consent order to the Court.
Court's wording
For an evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial, should counsel desire to participate in and present testimony through Zoom or other communication technology, regardless of the duration of the hearing or non-jury trial, counsel must seek leave of Court by filing a written motion setting forth good cause to grant the motion pursuant to Rule 2.530(b)(2), Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. and providing a courtesy copy of the motion and a proposed consent order to the Court via electronic mail.
If the parties do not consent to remote technology, a party seeking its use for an evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial must file a written good-cause motion and schedule a 10-minute hearing on that motion before the underlying proceeding.
Court's wording
In the event all parties do not consent to use communication technology for an evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial, any party desiring to use communication technology shall seek leave of Court by filing a written motion setting forth why good cause exists pursuant to Rule 2.530(b)(2), Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. to grant the motion and schedule a 10-minute hearing on such a motion to be heard prior to the evidentiary hearing or non-jury trial.
The email must include a cover letter to the Court signed by counsel stating that opposing counsel/pro se party has been provided with the same materials being provided to the Court, the date of the hearing and whether opposing counsel/pro se party agrees with the language of the order.
Proposed orders after a hearing are to be timely submitted in Word format to the Judicial Assistant by email with opposing counsel/pro se party copied.
A cover letter to the Court signed by counsel and copied to opposing counsel and pro se party and a courtesy copy of the unopposed motion, joint stipulation, etc. related to the order must be provided.
The letter must state that opposing counsel/pro se party has been provided with the same materials being provided to the Court and whether opposing counsel/pro se party agrees with the language of the order.
For any proposed order submitted for a pro se party who does not receive e-filings, counsel must include the specified numbered paragraph requiring regular-mail service and a filed certificate of service.
- Document
- Proposed order
Must include
- •Certificate of service
Court's wording
For all proposed orders, either after hearing or without hearing, if a pro se party does not receive e-filings, counsel submitting the order shall include a numbered paragraph with the following language in all orders for the party or parties not receiving service through the E-portal: Counsel shall serve a copy of this order, by regular mail, to all parties not receiving service of Court filings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and shall file a certificate of service in the court file.
(Complete before presenting to the Court and provide an addressed/stamped envelope for pro se party)
Include
- •Complete before presenting to the Court
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
All consent Orders shall include the word “Consent” or “Agreed” in the caption of the proposed Order.
- Document
- Proposed order
- Placement
- Caption
Must include
- •“Consent” or “Agreed”
Orders served on parties not receiving E-Portal service must include the specified regular-mail and certificate-of-service language.
Court's wording
The Page 3 of 6 Updated June 1, 2026 following language should be on all orders for a party or parties not receiving service through the e-portal: Counsel shall serve a copy of this Order, by regular mail, to all parties not receiving service of court filings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and shall file a certificate of service in the court file.
Should any party file for federal bankruptcy protection, a Suggestion of Bankruptcy MUST be filed in the Court file.
All counsel shall immediately notify the Court in the event of settlement or dismissal and shall submit a stipulation for an order of dismissal.
The Court may deny remote appearances.
Proposed orders can be submitted to the Court in Word format once the unopposed motion, joint stipulation, etc. appears on the docket, and can be submitted to the Judicial Assistant by email with opposing counsel/pro se party copied.
The order service list must contain e-filing addresses for opposing counsel/pro se party.
provide an addressed/stamped envelope for pro se party
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance will list the Judge’s Zoom credentials.
The Notice of Hearing should list all motion(s) and the docket line of the motion
A consent or agreed order should have in the title “Consent” or “Agreed”, or it should have both or all parties’ signatures.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A motion to set a case for trial or a notice for trial must be filed electronically.
E-file a motion to set case for trial or notice for trial.
Page 1 | II. SETTING CASES FOR TRIAL (JURY AND NON-JURY)
Motions to set for trial and notices for trial must be handled through email only.
Motions to set for trial and notice for trial are being handled by email only.
Page 1 | I. EX PARTE HEARINGS
Emergency motions, motions for rehearing, and motions for new trial must first be e-filed with the Clerk of Court.
The motion must first be e-filed with the Clerk of Court.
Page 3 | IV. EMERGENCY MOTION/MOTION FOR REHEARING/MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL
Notice of Hearing: The Notice of Hearing should list all motion(s) and the docket line of the motion, e-filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Notice of Hearing: The Notice of Hearing should list all motion(s) and the docket line of the motion, e-filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Proposed orders must be submitted through the court’s E-Portal with copies provided to all parties.
Proposed orders must be submitted to the Court via the E- Portal with copies to all parties.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Other ex parte matters may be handled through hand delivery, mail, or email.
All other ex parte matters will be handled by hand delivery, mail or email.
Page 1 | I. EX PARTE HEARINGS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Proposed orders must be submitted within ten days after the hearing, and a late order may require the parties to appear in person.
Proposed orders must be submitted within ten (10) days after any hearing. The Court may require the parties to appear in person for any order submitted beyond the deadline.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Motions to cancel sales, including emergency motions, must be provided as early as possible for review and action.
Motions (and emergency) to Cancel Sales shall be provided at the earliest possible time to allow adequate time for review and action.
Page 4 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
All exhibits must be received by the Foreclosure Case Management Office three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received by the Foreclosure Case Management Office three (3) days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 5 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Opposing counsel and pro se parties must receive the cover letter and enclosures, unless the enclosures were already provided through the E-portal or service of process, and the letter must specify that fact.
All opposing counsel and pro se parties must be copied with the cover letter and the enclosure(s) if the enclosure(s) were not previously provided through the E- portal/service of process and specify in the letter.
Page 3 | VI. COURTESY COPIES
Counsel must serve the order by regular mail on parties not receiving Court filings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and file a certificate of service.
Counsel shall serve a copy of this order, by regular mail, to all parties not receiving service of Court filings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and shall file a certificate of service in the court file.
Page 4 | IX. ALL PROPOSED ORDERS
The Notice of Hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: The Notice of Hearing should list all motion(s) and the docket line of the motion, e-filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The attorney submitting a proposed order must mail copies to unrepresented parties and file a Notice of Service.
The attorney submitting the order is responsible for ensuring copies of the order(s) are mailed to any unrepresented party or parties and a Notice of Service is filed on the case.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Regular-mail service on parties not receiving E-Portal service requires a certificate of service to be filed in the case.
Counsel shall serve a copy of this Order, by regular mail, to all parties not receiving service of court filings through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal and shall file a certificate of service in the court file.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of the remote-appearance motion and its proposed consent order must be emailed to the Court.
providing a courtesy copy of the motion and a proposed consent order to the Court via electronic mail
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
One review copy must be delivered to the Judicial Assistant by mail, hand delivery, or email.
The Court requires a copy for review to be delivered to the office by mail, hand delivery or email to the Judicial Assistant.
Page 3 | IV. EMERGENCY MOTION/MOTION FOR REHEARING/MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL
Hard-copy courtesy copies of all filings for a motion set for a time-certain hearing must reach the Court by the date in the Judicial Assistant’s confirmation email.
Courtesy copies (hard copies) of all Court filings pertaining to a motion set for a time certain scheduled hearing MUST be provided to the Court no later than the date included in the Judicial Assistant’s email confirming the scheduled hearing.
Page 3 | VI. COURTESY COPIES
Documents exceeding 50 pages, including attachments, must not be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
However, any large documents (over 50 pages, including attachments) must NOT be emailed.
Page 3 | IV. EMERGENCY MOTION/MOTION FOR REHEARING/MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL
An emergency pleading requires delivery of one copy to the court’s office by email, mail, or hand delivery.
The Court requires a copy to be delivered to the office by email, mail or hand delivery. Please send only one copy.
Page 4 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Courtesy copies should be stapled or submitted in a binder and delivered by hand or mail with a cover letter signed by counsel.
Courtesy copies of each filing should be stapled or submitted in a binder and hand delivered or mailed with a cover letter signed by counsel.
Page 3 | VI. COURTESY COPIES
If counsel requests hard-copy courtesy materials for the judge, they must be delivered to the Foreclosure Case Management Office at least three to five business days before the hearing.
If counsel would like the Judge to have courtesy copies for a hearing, motions, memorandum of law, or case law hard copies should be received by the Foreclosure Case Management Office at least three to five business days prior to the scheduled hearing date. Please provide hard copies via U.S. mail, FedEx, UPS, or hand delivery.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Judge Dees does not require courtesy copies or case law to be delivered to the office.
Judge Dees does not require courtesy copies or case law to be sent to the office.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date and ordinarily must be signed by the requesting party.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled court date. 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 5 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Chambers Communication Rules
After the trial-setting filing appears on the docket, email the motion and a completed Division CV-C trial-set memorandum to the Judicial Assistant and copy all other attorneys and pro se parties.
After the motion to set case for trial or notice for trial appears on the Court’s docket, email the motion and a completed trial set memorandum for Division CV-C to lblackman@coj.net and copy all other attorneys and pro se parties.
Page 1 | II. SETTING CASES FOR TRIAL (JURY AND NON-JURY)
The hearing-request email must include the case number in its subject line and identify the motions and requested hearing duration in its body.
The case number must be in the subject line of the email and in the body of the email list the motion(s) to be set for hearing and how much time is being requested.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
The party requesting a hearing must email the Judicial Assistant and copy the assistants for opposing counsel and any pro se parties.
The party requesting the hearing shall email the Judicial Assistant and copy the assistant(s) for opposing counsel and pro se parties.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
Counsel and parties must log into remote proceedings at least five minutes before the scheduled hearing begins.
All counsel/parties shall log in no less than five (5) minutes before the hearing is scheduled to begin.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
Except for motions to compel and motions for sanctions, a party canceling a hearing it set must email the Judicial Assistant and copy the opposing office or pro se party.
When canceling a hearing that you have set, excluding a motion to compel and motion for sanctions, email the Judicial Assistant and copy opposing counsel’s office/pro se party notifying the Judicial Assistant of the cancellation.
Page 3 | V. CANCELLATION OF HEARING
A hearing cancellation must be confirmed by the Judicial Assistant; an e-filed notice alone is insufficient.
The cancellation of a hearing MUST be confirmed by the Judicial Assistant.
Page 3 | V. CANCELLATION OF HEARING
Emails to the judicial office must copy all parties unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All parties must be copied on any email directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Court
All court communications must be emailed to the Foreclosure Case Management Office, with a subject line identifying the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
All communications with the Court must be submitted to the Foreclosure Case Management Office by email at DuvalFC@coj.net. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2025 CA 001234 – ABC v. 123 - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.).
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Court
As soon as a case is completely settled, contact the Judicial Assistant so its hearings can be removed from the calendar and the case can be removed from the trial docket.
When a case is completely settled, please contact the Judicial Assistant ASAP to have all scheduled hearings removed from the Court’s calendar and the case removed from the trial docket.
Page 1 | II. SETTING CASES FOR TRIAL (JURY AND NON-JURY)
The Judicial Assistant should not be copied on coordinating emails among the parties.
Please do not include the Judicial Assistant in the coordinating emails.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
A proposed hearing date and time remain unsecured and may be assigned to others unless confirmed by the court’s office.
HEARING DATES AND TIMES PROVIDED BY THE COURT ARE NOT HELD AND MAY BE GIVEN TO OTHERS. HEARING DATES AND TIMES ARE NOT SECURED UNTIL CONFIRMATION IS SENT FROM THIS OFFICE.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
Do not send follow-up emails to the Judicial Assistant because messages are answered as time permits.
Also, please do not send follow-up emails to the Judicial Assistant as emails are responded to as time permits.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
A party requesting a hearing on an emergency motion, motion for rehearing, or motion for new trial must contact the Judicial Assistant.
If any party would like a hearing set on the motion, that party shall contact the Judicial Assistant consistent with the instructions above.
Page 3 | IV. EMERGENCY MOTION/MOTION FOR REHEARING/MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL
A hearing request on a pending pleading must be emailed to the Foreclosure Case Management Office with all other parties copied.
The party requesting a hearing on any pending pleading should email the Foreclosure Case Management Office copying all other parties at DuvalFC@coj.net.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
In-person attendance is encouraged. If requesting in-person appearance, please do so at the time the request for the hearing is made.
In-person attendance is encouraged. If requesting in-person appearance, please do so at the time the request for the hearing is made.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS
The Judicial Assistant will reply all with available hearing dates and times.
The Judicial Assistant will reply all with available hearing dates and times.
Page 2 | III. SETTING HEARINGS FOR PENDING MOTIONS