Judge George A. Sarduy
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Motion
- Not required
Motion, Request for Hearing
Pretrial Catalogue
Request for Referral to Mediation
Adjournments
- Special set hearings can only be cancelled by submitting an Agreed Order showing resolution and notifying chambers before the hearing starts; a Notice of Cancellation alone is insufficient and parties must otherwise appear.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
All submissions MUST include a cover letter (PDF format), motion (with attachments, if any, all in PDF format)
- File type
- Cover letter
- Motion
- Exhibits
and proposed order (in WORD format...Please DO NOT use preset templates or fillable forms as some do not allow for electronic signature. Any order which cannot be electronically signed will be rejected).
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Document Filing Requirements12 rules
Once the date has been coordinated with both sides, the court will calendar your hearing on Courtmap. The party that filed the motion is responsible for filing the Notice of Hearing.
See VERIFIED EMERGENCY MOTION FORM located under the Documents Tab. See VERIFIED EMERGENCY MOTION AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT FORM located under the Documents Tab.
As supporting documents, attach the motion and any response. E-file stamp from Clerk of Court must be on all submissions.
Your filed motion must contain a certification that the matter is a true Emergency and cannot wait to be heard at the next available setting.
A UCD Final Judgment submitted through Courtmap must attach the nine listed supporting documents (cover letter, special affidavit, answer, MSA/parenting plan, order of default if applicable, ID, best-interest affidavit, financial affidavits, and UCCJEA affidavit).
Court's wording
Please upload the following and attach as supporting documents to the Final Judgement: 1.Cover Letter 2. Special Affidavit for Remote UCD/No Hearing 3. Answer or Answer/Waiver 4. Marital Settlement Agreement and/or Parenting Plan. 5. If the Respondent has been defaulted, please attach the Order of Default. 6. A copy of the Petitioner's and/or Counter Petitioner's Valid Driver's License, Florida State ID or Voter's Registration card. 7. Affidavit that MSA and/or PP in best interest of child, signed by both parties. 8. Financial Affidavits 9. UCCJEA Affidavit
All supporting documents MUST have the e-file stamp on them from the Clerk of Court. All requests for Uncontested hearings without these supporting documents with an e-file stamp will be rejected.
The cover letter MUST address the following: - Title of motion, with date of hearing (if previously heard); - That order was sent to opposing counsel/pro se party; - Whether opposing counsel/pro se party AGREES to order or not.
Motions to Withdraw (a written consent must be attached to the motion. The order MUST include a current address, phone number and email for client)
All submissions MUST include a cover letter (PDF format), motion (with attachments, if any, all in PDF format), and proposed order (in WORD format...Please DO NOT use preset templates or fillable forms as some do not allow for electronic signature. Any order which cannot be electronically signed will be rejected).
Final Judgments of Paternity (with MSA, Parenting Plan and Child Support Guidelines)
must contain a statement indicating that opposing counsel has been notified in an attempt to resolve the matter in an amicable manner.
The Request for Hearing should include how many witnesses/exhibits each side plans to introduce at the hearing and whether any of the parties will need the services of an interpreter. With this information listed on the request, please then indicate the amount of time you realistically expect the hearing to take.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must register for an account on the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal to file pleadings or motions with the clerk.
ALL ATTORNEYS AND SELF REPRESENTED LITIGANTS MUST SIGN UP FOR AN ACCOUNT AT FLORIDA COURTS E-FILING PORTAL at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/ for filing pleadings or motions with the clerk
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All attorneys and self-represented litigants must also register for COURTMAP, which is used to submit proposed orders to the assigned judge.
and COURTMAP at https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/Programs-and-Services/Online-Services/ for submitting proposed orders to your assigned Judge.
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After the mediator's report is filed, the Notice for Trial must be filed through the e-portal or with the clerk, and then the JA must be contacted together with opposing counsel to coordinate a trial date.
Once the Mediator’s report has been filed, you must file a Notice for Trial through the e-portal or with the clerk’s office. - Once the Notice has been accepted into the e-portal or filed with the clerk, please contact the JA along with opposing counsel, to coordinate a trial date.
Page 1 | ALL CASES MUST ATTEND MEDIATION PRIOR TO TRIAL
Emergency motions must be filed and then uploaded via the emergency option on CourtMAP.
Emergency Motions must be filed and then uploaded VIA THE EMERGENCY OPTION on courtMAP
Page 1 | EMERGENCIES
Motions for judicial disqualification must be uploaded via the emergency option on CourtMAP.
Motions for Judicial Disqualification must be uploaded via the emergency option on courtMAP.
Page 1 | EMERGENCIES
For special set motions, the motion and a Request for Hearing must be filed with the Clerk via the E-Filing Portal, and the chambers email must be added to the courtesy copy email list.
On the E-FILING EPORTAL, file the Motion and a Request for Hearing, with the Clerk's Office. Add 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org to the courtesy copy email list.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
Motions with exhibits must be filed on the E-Filing Portal, and the chambers email 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org must be included in all filings.
On the E-FILING PORTAL, file the Motion with any exhibits. Include 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org in all filings.
Page 1 | REMOTE 5 MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR (Held via ZOOM)
All proposed orders must be submitted to the judge via Courtmap.
All PROPOSED ORDERS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA COURTMAP
Page 1 | ALL PROPOSED ORDERS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA COURTMAP
Should the case completely resolve prior to the scheduled trial date, parties should notify chambers of settlement. A Final Judgment must be submitted to the court via Courtmap before the trial is taken off the docket.
Should the case completely resolve prior to the scheduled trial date, parties should notify chambers of settlement. A Final Judgment must be submitted to the court via Courtmap before the trial is taken off the docket.
Page 1 | ALL CASES MUST ATTEND MEDIATION PRIOR TO TRIAL
The court will not accept motions for continuance via Courtmap.
The court will NOT accept the following matters via courtmap: - Motions for Continuance
Page 1 | ALL PROPOSED ORDERS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA COURTMAP
DO NOT use Courtmap to file motions, pleadings or anything else. Use the EPORTAL or visit the Clerk's office for any filings to the court file.
DO NOT use Courtmap to file motions, pleadings or anything else. Use the EPORTAL or visit the Clerk's office for any filings to the court file.
Page 1 | ALL PROPOSED ORDERS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA COURTMAP
Once a case is calendared on a UCD slot, the Final Judgment must be submitted as a proposed order through Courtmap.
Once your case has been properly calendared on a UCD slot, please be sure to submit a Final Judgement as a "proposed order" through Courtmap.
Page 1 | REMOTE UCD CALENDAR
The following proposed orders for matters that HAVE NOT been previously heard will be accepted via courtmap: - Motions to Compel Mandatory Disclosure; - Exparte Motions to Compel Discovery; - Motions for Default; - Motions to Withdraw (a written consent must be attached to the motion. The order MUST include a current address, phone number and email for client); - Motions for Substitution of Counsel; - Emergency Exparte Motions for Injunctive Relief; - Final Judgments of Paternity (with MSA, Parenting Plan and Child Support Guidelines); - Agreed orders on all issues except as described below.
The following proposed orders for matters that HAVE NOT been previously heard will be accepted via courtmap: - Motions to Compel Mandatory Disclosure; - Exparte Motions to Compel Discovery; - Motions for Default; - Motions to Withdraw (a written consent must be attached to the motion. The order MUST include a current address, phone number and email for client); - Motions for Substitution of Counsel; - Emergency Exparte Motions for Injunctive Relief; - Final Judgments of Paternity (with MSA, Parenting Plan and Child Support Guidelines); - Agreed orders on all issues except as described below.
Page 1 | ALL PROPOSED ORDERS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA COURTMAP
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Do not notice (file a Notice of Hearing for) any hearing until you have received confirmation that the hearing is set.
PLEASE DO NOT NOTICE YOUR HEARINGS UNLESS YOU HAVE RECEIEVED CONFIRMATION THAT THE HEARING IS SET.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
Financial affidavits must be filed before any referral to mediation is entered.
Financial Affidavits MUST be filed prior to any referrals to mediation being entered.
Page 1 | ALL CASES MUST ATTEND MEDIATION PRIOR TO TRIAL
A Notice of Hearing must be included on Courtmap and filed with the Clerk at least 7 business days before the hearing (excluding the day of the hearing).
On COURTMAP also include as supporting documents a Notice of Hearing. The notice of hearing must be filed with the Clerk at least 7 business days prior to the hearing, not including the day of the hearing.
Page 1 | REMOTE 5 MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR (Held via ZOOM)
Parties submitting an emergency motion must be prepared to appear before the court within one hour of submission.
You must be prepared to appear before the Court within one (1) hour of submission of the filed Emergency Motion to the Court.
Page 1 | EMERGENCIES
In UCD cases the generated Notice of Hearing is only the deadline for submitting final paperwork via Courtmap, since no hearing is held.
Although a Notice of Hearing will be generated, this is only the deadline for the final paperwork to be properly submitted via Courtmap. THERE IS NO HEARING FOR UCD CASES.
Page 1 | REMOTE UCD CALENDAR
Service and Proof of Service Rules
If the opposing party is not registered for Courtmap, the filer must generate their own notice with a certificate of service and mail it to the opposing party.
IF THE OPPOSING PARTY IS NOT REGISTERED FOR COURTMAP YOU MUST GENERATE YOUR OWN NOTICE WITH AN APPROPRAITE CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE AND MAIL IT TO THE OPPOSING PARTY.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
Opposing counsel or the pro se party must be included in all Courtmap submissions.
YOU MUST INCLUDE THE OPPOSING COUNSEL OR PRO SE PARTY(IES) IN ALL SUBMISSIONS
Page 1 | ALL PROPOSED ORDERS SHALL BE SUBMITTED VIA COURTMAP
The opposing side must be e-served through the E-Filing Portal with the filing.
On the E-FILING PORTAL, E-SERVE the opposing side with your filing.
Page 1 | REMOTE 5 MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR (Held via ZOOM)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Copies of motions must not be mailed to chambers.
Please DO NOT MAIL COPIES OF THE MOTION TO CHAMBERS.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
A request for referral to mediation must be filed with the clerk's office and a copy submitted to chambers.
Please file a request for referral to mediation with the clerk's office and submit a copy to chambers.
Page 1 | ALL CASES MUST ATTEND MEDIATION PRIOR TO TRIAL
Courtesy copies of pre-trial catalogues must be submitted to chambers by mail or hand delivery.
All courtesy copies of pre-trial catalogues must be submitted to chambers via mail or hand delivery.
Page 1 | ALL CASES MUST ATTEND MEDIATION PRIOR TO TRIAL
The chambers email 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org must be added to the courtesy copy email list for special set filings.
Add 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org to the courtesy copy email list.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
The chambers email address 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org must be included in all e-filings (email courtesy copy to chambers).
Include 11thFC16@jud11.flcourts.org in all filings.
Page 1 | REMOTE 5 MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR (Held via ZOOM)
Filing Bundling Requirements
All hearings are limited to 5 minutes and there should only be one motion scheduled per case.
All hearings are limited to 5 minutes and there should only be one motion scheduled per case.
Page 1 | REMOTE 5 MINUTE MOTION CALENDAR (Held via ZOOM)
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Special set hearings can only be cancelled by submitting an Agreed Order showing resolution and notifying chambers before the hearing starts; a Notice of Cancellation alone is insufficient and parties must otherwise appear.
Special set hearings can only be cancelled if a resolution has been reached and an Agreed Order has been submitted to the Court before the hearing is scheduled to start. Simply filing a Notice of Cancellation does NOT cancel your special set hearing. You must notify chambers that a resolution to the issue has been reached. Absent this procedure, the attorneys/parties are required to appear in court for the scheduled date/time.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
Chambers Communication Rules
Once these documents are filed, you may contact our office via phone or email to schedule your hearing. Please make sure opposing counsel is on the line when you call or copied on the email.
Once these documents are filed, you may contact our office via phone or email to schedule your hearing. Please make sure opposing counsel is on the line when you call or copied on the email.
Page 1 | Instructions for setting hearings for SPECIAL SET MOTIONS
Self-Represented Litigants: Please make sure you have an email address registered through Courtmap.
Self-Represented Litigants: Please make sure you have an email address registered through Courtmap.
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After submitting an emergency motion, the filer must call chambers to confirm receipt.
Call chambers to confirm receipt.
Page 1 | EMERGENCIES
Chambers for Judge George A. Sarduy (FC 16) can be reached by phone at (305) 349-5680 (Judicial Assistant: Venessa Alicea, Room CHC 2015).
George A. Sarduy Division: Circuit Family Section: FC 16 Court Location: Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Phone: (305) 349-5680 Room: CHC 2015 Judicial Assistant: Venessa Alicea
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