Judge William Thomas
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Electronic Via Court MAP Only
- Paper Prohibited Submit Via Court MAP
Adjournments
- Motions to Continue Trial must be set on the five (5) minute Motion Calendar within 10 Days of being filed.
- ANY AND ALL AGREED ORDERS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA CourtMAP. (Except Motions for Continuance of Trial which must be set on Motion Calendar within 7 days of being filed)
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Proposed orders must be submitted in WORD format on the courtMAP pre-generated blank order form.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Court's wording
ALL proposed Orders MUST be submitted in WORD format on the courtMAP pre-generated blank Order form and must be accompanied with a motion and supporting documents or a letter of explanation/ cover letter.
Document Filing Requirements15 rules
To be excused from calendar call, parties must submit an Order of Dismissal or Notice of Voluntary Dismissal containing language retaining jurisdiction to enforce the settlement, and the word 'stipulation' cannot be used.
Court's wording
The Court is requiring the parties to do one of the below: 1- Submit an Order of Dismissal With the language - The Court retains jurisdiction to enforce the terms and conditions of the settlement agreement. 2- File a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal With the language - The Court retains jurisdiction to enforce the terms and conditions of the settlement agreement. The word "stipulation" CANNOT be used, if you use the word "stipulation" the Clerk’s Office does not accept it and you will be required to appear before the Court for Calendar Call/ Trial.
Emergency motions must be submitted with a proposed order granting the relief being sought.
- Document
- Emergency motion
Include
- •Proposed order
Court's wording
Please submit your Emergency Motion through courtMAP with a proposed order granting the relief being sought and make sure the Emergency Motion has been filed with the Clerk of Court and provided to opposing counsel.
The ONLY way to be removed from the Trial Docket or be excused from Calendar Call is via Court Order, Order of Dismissal, or Notice of Voluntary Dismissal. A Notice of Settlement and Stipulation ARE NOT SUFFICIENT, failure to appear at Calendar Call may result in sanctions and/or the striking of pleadings.
Generic orders to show cause must use the Court's mandated template language, including the Zoom appearance before Judge William Thomas.
Court's wording
Language that must be used for generic show cause order!!!! IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, STATE OF FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO., Plaintiff, -vs-, Defendant. / ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE THIS CAUSE having come before the Court on (Plaintiff or Defendant)’s Motion for Order to Show Cause and the Court having reviewed the Motion and being otherwise fully advised in the premises, it is hereby ORDERED that (Plaintiff or Defendant) is ordered to appear ON THE Court’s motion calendar VIA ZOOM at a hearing before the Honorable William Thomas, Circuit Judge on ________________________ at AM/PM.
A WRITTEN MOTION IS REQUIRED TO BE FILED. THE COURT WILL NOT ADDRESS MOTIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILED.
Ex parte motions to compel must reflect compliance with Administrative Order No. 06-09 or will be summarily denied.
Court's wording
EX PARTE MOTIONS TO COMPEL: Before filing an ex-parte motion to compel please make sure you have complied with Eleventh Circuit Court Administrative Order No. 06-09 . Motions that do not reflect compliance with the Administrative Order will be summarily denied.
Cases rolled over to the next trial calendar may not add discovery, exhibit lists, or witness lists without leave of the Court.
Court's wording
ALL cases not reached during a trial period will be automatically rolled over to the next trial calendar. FOR ALL CASES ROLLED OVER - No additional discovery, exhibit list, or witness list will be permitted without leave of the Court.
Orders must contain all information required (i.e., no blanks shall be left), OR case must be submitted on motion calendar.
Confer with all parties and then file a "Notice of Readiness for Trial" with your requested Trial Period.
Once the hearing is scheduled, upload a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk with the Zoom Information.
Cancellations: of Motion Calendar Hearings require ALL parties to agree to the cancellation. Counsel for the party who placed a matter on the Motion Calendar shall file the notice of cancellation with the Clerk then must be cancelled through CourtMAP.
Foreclosure motion calendar cancellations require filing a notice of cancellation with the Clerk and cancelling through CourtMAP; no call to chambers is needed.
Court's wording
Cancellations: Counsel for the party who placed a matter on the Motion Calendar shall file the notice of cancellation with the Clerk. If the case was set through CourtMAP you must cancel it through CourtMAP. You do not need to call chambers to cancel Foreclosure Motion Calendar Hearings.
Add-Ons: No add-ons are permitted without prior consent of the Judge. Submit a letter with the motion and proposed order through CourtMAP for approval.
Include
- •Proposed order
ALL proposed Orders MUST be titled in the block marked “Generic Order – You must rename the Order Title”
*Attorneys MUST bring files to the hearing, if needed.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
To be heard on the Foreclosure Motion Calendar, the notice of hearing and motion must be filed with the Clerk and courtesy copies must be submitted via courtMAP.
In order for your matter to be added to the Foreclosure Motion Calendar, the notice of hearing and motion(s) MUST: (1) be filed with the Clerk; and (2) courtesy copies, including supporting documents, if any, must be submitted via courtMAP under "Foreclosure Motion Calendar" or the matter will NOT be heard.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Procedure
E-filing with the Clerk does not upload matters to the Judge's Motion Calendar; courtMAP is the separate system used to submit courtesy copies to chambers electronically.
Efiling is not the same as courtMAP. Matters that are only e-filed WILL NOT automatically upload to the Judge’s Motion Calendar. Efiling is for documents to be filed with the Clerk's Office electronically. CourtMAP is used to submit courtesy copies to chambers electronically
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Procedure
Documents for the Court's review at a hearing must be uploaded to courtMAP as supporting documents and must not be sent by email.
All documents you would like Judge Thomas to review for a hearing should be uploaded on courtMAP to the event as supporting documents. DO NOT send supporting documents by email.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Responses to Motion Calendar matters must be filed with the Clerk and submitted via CourtMAP before the hearing date.
Responses: Parties wishing to submit a response to a matter set on Motion Calendar must file said response with the Clerk and submit it via CourtMAP under "Motion Calendar" case number and hearing date, prior to the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Procedures
E-filing with the Clerk does not upload matters to the Judge's Motion Calendar; courtMAP must be used separately to submit courtesy copies to chambers.
E-filing is not the same as courtMAP: Matters that are only e-filed WILL NOT automatically upload to the Judge’s Motion Calendar. Efiling is for documents to be filed with the Clerk's Office electronically. CourtMAP is used to submit courtesy copies to chambers electronically.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Procedures
Responses to foreclosure motion calendar matters must be filed with the Clerk and submitted via CourtMAP before the hearing date.
Responses: Parties wishing to submit a response to a matter set on Foreclosure Motion Calendar must file said response with the Clerk and submit it via CourtMAP under "Foreclosure Motion Calendar" case number and hearing date, prior to the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Procedure
Emergency motions must be submitted through courtMAP, filed with the Clerk of Court, and provided to opposing counsel.
Please submit your Emergency Motion through courtMAP with a proposed order granting the relief being sought and make sure the Emergency Motion has been filed with the Clerk of Court and provided to opposing counsel.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Emergency Motions)
Agreed orders may be submitted via CourtMAP, except motions for continuance of trial which must be set on Motion Calendar within 7 days of filing.
ANY AND ALL AGREED ORDERS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA CourtMAP. (Except Motions for Continuance of Trial which must be set on Motion Calendar within 7 days of being filed)
Civil cases
Page 1 | Proposed Orders Submission Instructions
Special set hearings must be coordinated and set through courtMAP; if opposing counsel will not cooperate, the matter should be set on Motion Calendar to Compel Cooperation.
Special set hearings must be coordinated and set through courtMAP. In the event the party seeking to set a hearing is unable to secure reasonable cooperation from opposing/co-counsel, the will set it on Motion Calendar to Compel Cooperation.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All special set hearing documentation must be uploaded and e-filed at least 7 days before the hearing, in addition to the courtMAP upload.
*** Any documentation for the hearing shall be uploaded and e-filed AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS PRIOR TO THE HEARING (in addition to uploading your documents to courtMAP)***
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Motions and supporting documents must be uploaded via CourtMAP at least 7 days before the hearing or the matter will not be heard.
Upload motion, including supporting documents, if any, via CourtMAP under "Motion Calendar" at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing or the matter will NOT be heard.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Procedures
All motions must be filed with the Clerk before a special set hearing can be scheduled.
* All motions MUST be filed with the Clerk prior to scheduling a special set hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Motion Calendar Information Type: Open Notice Before Hearing: 5 Business Days Files at Hearing: None
Motion Calendar Information Type: Open Notice Before Hearing: 5 Business Days Files at Hearing: None
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motion Calendar Information
Foreclosure Motion Calendar matters require 7 business days' notice before the hearing.
Foreclosure Motion Calendar Information Type: Closed Notice Before Hearing: 7 Business Days Files at Hearing: Electronic
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Information
Motions to dismiss must be heard within 30 days of filing or the Court will deem the motion abandoned.
All Motions to Dismiss must be heard by the Court within 30 days of being filed. Failure to have the motion heard within 30 days will result in the Court deeming your motion abandoned.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions to Dismiss
Non-emergency motions must be heard before the party's compliance deadline.
IF IT IS AN EMERGENCY, FOLLOW PROCEDURES FOR EMERGENCIES. IF IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY IT IS YOUR OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MOTION IS HEARD BEFORE YOUR COMPLIANCE DEADLINE.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Motion Calendar)
Motions for extension of time must be filed and heard on the Motion Calendar before the deadline expires.
All Motions for Extension of Time must be filed prior to the deadline expiring and must be heard by the Court on Motion Calendar prior to the deadline expiring.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions for Extension of Time
The Court expects any motion to be heard within 30 days of filing, and failure to agree on a hearing date within that period is presumptively unreasonable.
The Court expects that any motion may be heard within 30 days of filing and, as a result, a failure to agree upon a date within this time frame is presumptively unreasonable.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Agreed orders must also be set on the Motion Calendar.
Agreed Orders must also be set on Motion Calendar.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions for Extension of Time
The Foreclosure Motion Calendar is held via Zoom on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM only, and foreclosure cases will not be heard on any other day without Court approval.
Foreclosure Motion Calendar in Division 27 is held via Zoom every TUESDAY at 8:30 A.M ONLY. Foreclosure cases will not be heard on any other day without approval from the Court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Information - Additional Instructions
Special set hearings may only be set during special set weeks (not trial periods), are approved only for hearings of 30 minutes or more, and should be set within a reasonable time after the motion is filed.
Special set hearings can only be set during special set weeks and not during trial periods. Special Sets will be approved for hearings of 30 minutes or more, if your motion requires anything less than 30 minutes the Court will address it at a Motion Calendar. Motions requiring Special Set should be set within a reasonable amount of time from when the motion was filed.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Foreclosure matters submitted for the Motion Calendar must be set on Tuesdays at 8:30 AM.
Foreclosures: Foreclosure matters submitted for Motion Calendar MUST BE SET Tuesdays at 8:30 A.M.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Procedure
Motion Calendar in Division 27 is held via Zoom every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 AM. on ZOOM
Motion Calendar in Division 27 is held via Zoom every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 AM. on ZOOM
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Motion Calendar)
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Paper courtesy copies and binders are prohibited on any matter in this division.
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT PAPER COURTESY COPIES OR BINDERS ON ANY MATTER IN THIS DIVISION.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Motion Calendar)
Paper courtesy copies are prohibited on any matter in this division.
Please do not submit paper courtesy copies on any matter.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Binders are not used in this division; all supporting documents must be uploaded through courtMAP.
We do not use binders. All supporting documents must must be uploaded through courtMAP.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Filing Bundling Requirements
Competing proposed orders must be submitted together via CourtMAP with supporting documents and a cover letter explaining that the parties are submitting competing orders.
If parties disagree on the wording of an order please submit the COMPETING ORDERS TOGETHER (within moments of each other) to CourtMAP with supporting documents (i.e. the motion etc) and a COVER LETTER explaining to the Court that the parties are submitting competing orders.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Proposed Orders Submission Instructions
Proposed orders must be accompanied by a motion and supporting documents or a letter of explanation/cover letter.
ALL proposed Orders MUST be submitted in WORD format on the courtMAP pre-generated blank Order form and must be accompanied with a motion and supporting documents or a letter of explanation/ cover letter.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Proposed Orders Submission Instructions
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must meet and confer by phone, in person, or Zoom (emails do not qualify) before setting motions on the foreclosure motion calendar.
Parties are required to MEET AND CONFER prior to setting motions on calendar. (The parties are requires to speak over the phone, in-person or via zoom. Emails do NOT satisfy this requirement.)
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Procedure
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
ANY AND ALL AGREED ORDERS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA CourtMAP. (Except Motions for Continuance of Trial which must be set on Motion Calendar within 7 days of being filed)
ANY AND ALL AGREED ORDERS MAY BE SUBMITTED VIA CourtMAP. (Except Motions for Continuance of Trial which must be set on Motion Calendar within 7 days of being filed)
Civil cases
Page 1 | Proposed Orders Submission Instructions
Motions to Continue Trial must be set on the five (5) minute Motion Calendar within 10 Days of being filed.
Motions to Continue Trial must be set on the five (5) minute Motion Calendar within 10 Days of being filed.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Regarding Trial/ Calendar Call
Only the Court can cancel a special set hearing; no party has authority to cancel a special set.
Cancellations: Special Set hearings can ONLY be cancelled by the COURT. No party has the authority to cancel a Special Set.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Special Set Hearing Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Motions for reconsideration must be emailed to chambers at BMcFadden@jud11.flcourts.org before being set for hearing.
MOTIONS FOR RECONSIDERATION shall be submitted by email to chambers before setting for hearing. BMcFadden@jud11.flcourts.org
Civil cases
Page 1 | Foreclosure Motion Calendar Procedure
A copy of the Notice of Readiness for Trial must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at BMcFadden@jud11.flcourts.org.
Then, e-mail a copy of the Notice of Readiness to the Judicial Assistant, Brandon McFadden, at BMcFadden@jud11.flcourts.org
Civil cases
Page 1 | Regarding Trial/ Calendar Call
Parties must call chambers to confirm receipt of an emergency motion request; chambers will contact the office with instructions after the judge's review.
Call Chambers to confirm that we received your emergency request. Upon the Judge's review of the Emergency Motion we will contact your office with instructions.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Additional Instructions (Emergency Motions)
All parties must be copied on emails sent to the Judicial Assistant's email service list.
JA's email: BMcfadden@jud11.flcourts.org - (ALL parties must be copied on the email service list)
Civil cases
Page 1 | Division Information