Judge Robert T. Watson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings > 20 pages
- Before Hearing
Adjournments
- Only the Court may cancel a Special Set hearing.
- The Court will cancel a Special Set hearing only if good cause is shown; if canceled, the Notice of Cancellation must be filed with the Clerk's Office.
Request must include
- A Motion Calendar hearing may not be canceled within 24 hours of the hearing unless both parties agree.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits3 rules
For any Motion or Response longer than 20 pages, please provide a hard copy (single-sided) to chambers at least 7 calendar days prior to the hearing.
- More than 20 pages
- Motion or response
- Up to 20 pages
The courtMap system only allows two (2) motions per case. In order for a second motion to be heard on the case by either side, the moving party must schedule a separate event in courtMAP.
Motion Calendar hearings are limited to 5 minutes per case.
Document Format Requirements3 rules
All documents must be submitted electronically via courtMAP in pdf format.
- File type
Formatting
- •Submit electronically via courtMAP
Proposed orders mailed to Chambers are not accepted, must be submitted in Word format on the courtMAP pre-generated Blank Order form, and accompanied with a motion and supporting documents.
- File type
- Word
Hearing binders with cited authorities are encouraged.
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
Proposed orders mailed to Chambers are not accepted, must be submitted in Word format on the courtMAP pre-generated Blank Order form, and accompanied with a motion and supporting documents.
When submitting an Order of Dismissal, specify whether the Dismissal applies to an individual, defendant, or all defendants.
DO NOT FILE A NOTICE OF HEARING FOR SPECIAL SETS.
Prepare the proposed Notice of Cancellation (NOC), specifying the reason for the cancellation, and upload it as a separate submission to the courtMAP hearing event; and immediately contact chambers to advise that the proposed NOC has been uploaded.
The email request for a Special Set hearing longer than one hour must include the motion, any supporting documents, requested duration, and reason for that duration.
Court's wording
If you would like to request a Special Set hearing that is more than one (1) hour, please send an email to the Judicial Assistant at emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org with all parties copied. Please ensure the motion is attached, any supporting documents, the amount of time you are seeking, and the reason for seeking that amount of time.
The filed motion(s) and all documents in support must be attached when the hearing is scheduled.
You must still prepare, file, and serve a Notice of Hearing. Please be sure to include the full name of the motion(s), the docket index number(s), and date(s) filed in the Notice of Hearing.
Orders must contain all information required (i.e., no blanks shall be left), or case must be submitted on motion calendar.
Do not file or deliver original loan documents until Judge Watson specifically instructs you to do so.
If you are submitting an Agreed Order, please select the Agreed Order option; otherwise, the order will not be titled "Agreed".
Identify an evidentiary hearing on the Special Set Request Form so the Court can schedule a clerk to appear.
Court's wording
Evidentiary Special Sets: If your Special Set hearing is an Evidentiary hearing, please indicate as such on the Special Set Request Form so that the court can schedule the appearance of a clerk at the hearing.
When submitting your proposed/agreed order, the title of the order must be typed in the title box provided by courtMAP, not in the body of the proposed/agreed order.
Each supporting document must be submitted separately and each must be properly titled for ease of review.
Foreclosure matters should be Noticed as a Non-Jury Trial.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A Special Set request must include the completed request form, motions, and all supporting materials through courtMAP; a request missing supporting documents will be rejected.
To Schedule a Hearing: You must submit the completed Special Set Hearing Request Form, the motion(s), exhibits, affidavits, transcripts, legal authority, and other relevant documents (e.g., the operative Complaint for a Motion to Dismiss) via courtMAP. If one or more supporting documents are missing, your special set request will be rejected.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
If the motion is granted or the mortgagee prevails at trial, upload the Final Judgment through courtMAP and deliver the original note and loan documents to chambers using tracked delivery.
If motion is granted or mortgagee prevails at trial, the Final Judgment is to be uploaded via courtMAP and the Original Note/Loan Documents are to be delivered to Judge Watson's Chambers, Osvaldo Soto Justice Center, Room 13.235. Use delivery with tracking.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Important Notices Re: Zoom Meeting ID and Submission of Original Notes
Upload the proposed Notice of Cancellation as a separate submission to the courtMAP hearing event and immediately contact chambers to report the upload.
Prepare the proposed Notice of Cancellation (NOC), specifying the reason for the cancellation, and upload it as a separate submission to the courtMAP hearing event; and immediately contact chambers to advise that the proposed NOC has been uploaded.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
File all proposed Orders through courtMAP under Proposed Orders.
Please file all proposed Orders via courtMAP under Proposed Orders.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Proposed Orders
If a Special Set hearing is canceled, file the Notice of Cancellation with the Clerk's Office.
The Court will review the proposed NOC, and, if good cause is shown, will cancel the special set hearing. If the hearing is canceled, the NOC must be filed with the Clerk's Office.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
After the moving counsel uploads the motion and Special Set request form, opposing counsel must upload any opposition.
Once counsel has uploaded their motion for consideration along with the special set hearing request form, opposing counsel must upload any opposition to the motion.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Submit any filed Response through courtMAP to the Motion Calendar case number and hearing date at least three business days before the hearing.
Responses: Submit the filed Response, if any, via courtMap to the "Motion Calendar" case number and hearing date at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
To have a second motion heard, the moving party must schedule a separate event in courtMAP.
In order for a second motion to be heard on the case by either side, the moving party must schedule a separate event in courtMAP.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Submit a filed Emergency Motion through courtMAP using the specified Workbench path; the Court will communicate within 24 hours, and counsel should call chambers if no communication arrives within that period.
Please submit the filed Emergency Motion via courtMap following these steps: Workbench > New > Emergency Motion > Input Case Number The Court will review the Emergency Motion and communicate within 24 hours. If you have not received a communication from the Court within 24 hours, please follow up by calling chambers.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
Upload all relevant documentation or the Special Set hearing request will be rejected.
All relevant documentation must be uploaded or the special set hearing request will be rejected.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Upload the Notice for Trial as a Supporting Document through courtMAP when requesting a trial date; notice foreclosure matters as Non-Jury Trials.
Notices for Trial must be uploaded as a Supporting Document through courtMAP when requesting a trial date. Foreclosure matters should be Noticed as a Non-Jury Trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
E-filing a Notice for Readiness of Trial does not place a case on the trial docket.
Please note e-filing a Notice for Readiness of Trial through the e-filing portal will not get you on the trial docket.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motion Calendar hearings require three business days' notice before the hearing.
Notice Before Hearing: 3 Business Days
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
A Special Set hearing is not scheduled until an email confirms its status as “Approved,” even if a Notice of Hearing was generated.
Although a Notice of Hearing is automatically generated, the hearing is not scheduled until you receive an email that specifically reflects the status as "Approved."
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Submit any filed Response through courtMAP to the Motion Calendar case number and hearing date at least three business days before the hearing.
Responses: Submit the filed Response, if any, via courtMap to the "Motion Calendar" case number and hearing date at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
When a Special Set request is approved, the court-generated Notice of Hearing is automatically filed with the Clerk's Office.
If approved, the court-generated Notice of Hearing will be automatically filed with the Clerk's Office.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Service and Proof of Service Rules
After the specified outcome, deliver the original note and loan documents to chambers using tracked delivery.
If motion is granted or mortgagee prevails at trial, the Final Judgment is to be uploaded via courtMAP and the Original Note/Loan Documents are to be delivered to Judge Watson's Chambers, Osvaldo Soto Justice Center, Room 13.235. Use delivery with tracking.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Important Notices Re: Zoom Meeting ID and Submission of Original Notes
Courtesy Copy Requirements
For a Motion or Response longer than 20 pages, provide a single-sided hard copy to chambers at least seven calendar days before the hearing.
For any Motion or Response longer than 20 pages, please provide a hard copy (single-sided) to chambers at least 7 calendar days prior to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
A movant must meet and confer with opposing counsel before scheduling and noticing a Motion Calendar or Special Set hearing; unilateral settings are prohibited.
Important: Any movant scheduling and noticing a hearing (Motion Calendar and Special Set) before this Court must meet and confer with opposing counsel in order to attempt to resolve any and all issues possible. Unilateral setting of hearings is not permitted.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Reconsideration, rehearing, new-trial, and other post-trial motions, except motions for entitlement to fees and costs, will not be heard on Motion Calendar and should not be set unless the Court instructs otherwise.
Motions for Reconsideration, Rehearing, New Trial, and other post-trial motions (excluding Entitlement to Fees and Costs: These motions will not be heard on motion calendar and should not be set for hearing unless instructed to do so by the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Cross-notices may be allowed only if mutually coordinated and a separate court event is created, subject to the two-motion limit.
Cross-Notices of a Motion may only be allowed if it is mutually coordinated and if a separate court event is created subject to the two (2) motion limit.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A Motion Calendar hearing may not be canceled within 24 hours of the hearing unless both parties agree.
Unless both parties have agreed, cancellations are not allowed within 24 hours of the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Only the Court may cancel a Special Set hearing.
Only the Court can cancel a special set hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
The Court will cancel a Special Set hearing only if good cause is shown; if canceled, the Notice of Cancellation must be filed with the Clerk's Office.
The Court will review the proposed NOC, and, if good cause is shown, will cancel the special set hearing. If the hearing is canceled, the NOC must be filed with the Clerk's Office.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
Chambers Communication Rules
Immediately contact chambers after uploading the proposed Notice of Cancellation.
Prepare the proposed Notice of Cancellation (NOC), specifying the reason for the cancellation, and upload it as a separate submission to the courtMAP hearing event; and immediately contact chambers to advise that the proposed NOC has been uploaded.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
The noticing party may cancel through courtMAP after filing a Notice of Cancellation and emailing a courtesy copy to the Judicial Assistant.
The party that noticed the hearing may cancel via courtMAP after it files its Notice of Cancellation and e-mails a courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation to the Judicial Assistant at emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Email covered post-trial motions to the Judicial Assistant.
Email your motion to emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
For a Special Set hearing longer than one hour, email the Judicial Assistant with all parties copied and attach the motion, supporting documents, requested duration, and reason for that duration.
If you would like to request a Special Set hearing that is more than one (1) hour, please send an email to the Judicial Assistant at emcruz@jud11.flcourts.org with all parties copied. Please ensure the motion is attached, any supporting documents, the amount of time you are seeking, and the reason for seeking that amount of time.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Request Form
The Court will communicate about an Emergency Motion within 24 hours; if no communication is received, follow up by calling chambers.
The Court will review the Emergency Motion and communicate within 24 hours. If you have not received a communication from the Court within 24 hours, please follow up by calling chambers.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions
The court will email Zoom appearance information seven days before a scheduled hearing.
Zoom Meeting ID: Seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing, you will receive an email from courtMAP with the information that will allow you to appear remotely via Zoom.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Important Notices Re: Zoom Meeting ID and Submission of Original Notes