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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Thomas M. Beverly

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Trial or Hearing Set Memo

Court-wide
  • Email

Communication

Email

Chambers

lnewton@coj.net
Scheduling
Phone

Chambers

904-255-1214
Email
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

durhaml@clayclerk.com
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide
904-255-1180
Scheduling
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Filters:

Document Format Requirements3 rules

FormattingMandatory

Once hearing has concluded, depending on the type of case heard (either mental health/guardianship or guardian advocacy) the Magistrate will request attorneys to prepare and forward to the Magistrate Assistant via email (Word format), LNewton@coj.net the following proposed Orders:

File type
Word
Applies to
  • Proposed order
Order-of-Referral-to-the-Magistrate · p. 1|SectionFINAL HEARINGS
FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal). Please do not email the clerk.

Formatting

  • Formatted for wet signature
  • No codes
ExParte-Procedures-9 · Jul 2026 · p. 1|SectionELECTRONIC ORDERS Exception (TESTATE cases only)
FormattingImportantCivil cases

Each party shall provide to the Court exhibits or hard copies of any materials to be considered at the hearing at least three business days prior to the commencement of the hearing. Tabbed, three-ring binders are preferred.

Binding
Tabbed three-ring binder
ExParte-Procedures-9 · Jul 2026 · p. 1|SectionEVIDENTIARY HEARINGS / NON-JURY TRIALS

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Urgent orders may be sent by email to the Judicial Assistant, and the email must include a subject line stating the case number, case name, and reason for the email.

You may send those via email to the Judicial Assistant. The email must include the following information: subject line: URGENT: Case number, case name, and reason for the email (e.g., PENDING SALE; EMERGENCY TEMPORARY GUARDIAN, etc.)

Civil cases

Page 1 | URGENT ORDERS

These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal). Please do not email the clerk.

These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal). Please do not email the clerk.

Civil cases

Page 1 | ELECTRONIC ORDERS Exception (TESTATE cases only)

After the Clerk completes the audit and notifies the attorney of record, the proposed order of discharge may be submitted through the e-portal.

Upon completion of the Clerk’s audit, the Clerk will send a notification to the attorney of record. Upon receipt of the notification from the Clerk, you may submit your proposed order of discharge through the e-portal.

Civil cases

Page 1 | ORDERS OF DISCHARGE

A pleading must be filed through the Clerk and appear on the docket before the corresponding proposed order is submitted directly to the Court.

Proposed orders come directly to the Court. They do not go through the Clerk first. Your pleading must be filed through the Clerk and appear on the docket prior to submission of your order.

Civil cases

Page 1 | PROCEDURES AS OF JULY 22, 2026

Proposed orders generally must be filed through the e-portal, subject to the stated exceptions.

All proposed orders should be filed through the e-portal except as noted below.

Civil cases

Page 1 | PROCEDURES AS OF JULY 22, 2026

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Attorneys should submit Orders within 14 days after hearing has concluded.

Attorneys should submit Orders within 14 days after hearing has concluded.

Page 1 | FINAL HEARINGS

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Parties may serve exceptions within 10 days after the Report and Recommendation is served on them.

Parties may serve exceptions within 10 days from the time the Report and Recommendation was served on them.

Page 1 | FINAL HEARINGS

Chambers Communication Rules

The Magistrate’s Assistant may be contacted by phone at 904-255-1214 for assistance.

Please reach out to the Magistrate’s Assistant should you need assistance, 904-255-1214/ LNewton@coj.net.

Page 1 | FINAL HEARINGS

Attorneys should use the Magistrate’s Office email to request the next available hearing date and time for the applicable division.

Attorneys should contact the Magistrate’s Office via email (LNewton@coj.net) for the next available date and time based on the specific division.

Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS

Hearing requests should be submitted by email, and the Judicial Assistant will provide the Zoom link after confirming the date and time.

Email works best for hearing requests. The Zoom link will be provided by the Judicial Assistant upon confirmation of a date and time.

Civil cases

Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS

PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET for updates before contacting the Judicial Assistant for case status.

PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET for updates before contacting the Judicial Assistant for case status.

Civil cases

Page 1 | REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 62 rules apply across Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 30
  • Applies to
    Motion to set for hearing

    A motion to set a hearing is required when the requested hearing will exceed one hour.

  • Applies to
    Notice of hearing

    The notice of hearing must satisfy Rule 2.530(b), including identifying the communication technology and providing access directions.

  • Applies to
    Remote hearing request

    A motion is required for remote non-evidentiary hearings over 30 minutes, evidentiary hearings, trials, and requests to present testimony through communication technology.

Filing Timing

All 13

  • Counsel may not file a notice of hearing until the court confirms the hearing by email.

  • Counsel must file a compliant notice of hearing within three days after hearing confirmation, identifying the communication technology and providing access directions.

  • A motion or order to cancel a sale must be received at least three days before the sale date.

Communication

All 7
  • Contact
    Email

    Proposed orders subject to this direction must be emailed directly to the judicial assistant.

  • The court will not consider ex parte communications by telephone, email, or mail.

  • Contact
    Email to chambers

    Emergency motions may be emailed to the judicial assistant for court review.

Service

All 6
  • Service
    Electronic service

    The court cannot use electronic service as the sole method for a party who has not filed a Notice of Designation of Email Address.

  • Service
    Email

    All pro se parties must serve a designation of a primary email address, and may obtain the form from the clerk of court.

  • Applies to
    Papers and pleadings
    Service
    Mail to opposing party

    All further papers and pleadings shall be served by mail to Plaintiff’s designated email address(es) or, if none, to Plaintiff’s mailing address, pursuant to paragraph six above. Service shall be complete upon mailing or emailing.

More categories

View all Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Clay, Duval and Nassau Counties rules
About Judge Thomas M. Beverly

Division or court number: PR-B Court level: Circuit Courtroom or hearing room: 715 Judicial assistant: Priscilla Watts Email: pawatts@coj.net Phone: 904-255-1231

Common questions about Judge Thomas M. Beverly's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Thomas M. Beverly?

Judge Thomas M. Beverly's formatting rule includes file format docx. Once hearing has concluded, depending on the type of case heard (either mental health/guardianship or guardian advocacy) the Magistrate will request attorneys to prepare and forward to the Magistrate Assistant via email (Word format), LNewton@coj.net the following proposed Orders:

View ruleSource: page 1, section FINAL HEARINGS

How may parties contact Judge Thomas M. Beverly's chambers?

The rule lists email LNewton@coj.net. Attorneys should use the Magistrate’s Office email to request the next available hearing date and time for the applicable division.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUESTS FOR HEARINGS

Is electronic filing required before Judge Thomas M. Beverly?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed orders generally must be filed through the e-portal, subject to the stated exceptions.

View ruleSource: page 1, section PROCEDURES AS OF JULY 22, 2026

What filing deadlines apply to proposed order filings before Judge Thomas M. Beverly?

Attorneys should submit Orders within 14 days after hearing has concluded.

View ruleSource: page 1, section FINAL HEARINGS

What rule applies to service for exceptions before Judge Thomas M. Beverly?

Details: timing: 10 calendar days after service. Parties may serve exceptions within 10 days after the Report and Recommendation is served on them.

View ruleSource: page 1, section FINAL HEARINGS
Complete rules summary for Judge Thomas M. Beverly

Attorneys should use the Magistrate’s Office email to request the next available hearing date and time for the applicable division.

Once hearing has concluded, depending on the type of case heard (either mental health/guardianship or guardian advocacy) the Magistrate will request attorneys to prepare and forward to the Magistrate Assistant via email (Word format), LNewton@coj.net the following proposed Orders:

Parties may serve exceptions within 10 days after the Report and Recommendation is served on them.

The Magistrate’s Assistant may be contacted by phone at 904-255-1214 for assistance.

Attorneys should submit Orders within 14 days after hearing has concluded.

Proposed orders generally must be filed through the e-portal, subject to the stated exceptions.

A pleading must be filed through the Clerk and appear on the docket before the corresponding proposed order is submitted directly to the Court.

PLEASE CHECK THE DOCKET for updates before contacting the Judicial Assistant for case status.

Urgent orders may be sent by email to the Judicial Assistant, and the email must include a subject line stating the case number, case name, and reason for the email.

Hearing requests should be submitted by email, and the Judicial Assistant will provide the Zoom link after confirming the date and time.

Each party must provide hearing materials to the Court at least three business days before the hearing, preferably in tabbed three-ring binders.

These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal). Please do not email the clerk.

These should be formatted for a wet signature (no codes) and mailed or hand delivered directly to the Clerk (not filed through the portal). Please do not email the clerk.

After the Clerk completes the audit and notifies the attorney of record, the proposed order of discharge may be submitted through the e-portal.

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