Judge Katherine H. Miller
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Memorandum
- Three Days Before Hearing
Notice of Cancellation
Notice of Hearing
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored, require good cause, and will not be granted for lack of due diligence; successive continuances are highly disfavored.
- A continuance motion must specifically state its basis and when it became known, whether it is opposed, the actions and dates needed to prepare, and the proposed ready-to-proceed date and whether all parties agree.
Request must include
- Submit a continuance motion at least three days before the scheduled court date, unless exigent circumstances apply.
- Cancel hearings no later than three days before the hearing, unless the matter is settled or an emergency exists.
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Document Format Requirements5 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format
Formatting
- •Word format
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
Attorneys and parties must pre-mark all exhibits by letters “A”, “B”, “C”… and bring all exhibits to the hearing.
Formatting
- •Bring all exhibits to the hearing
The Court will not review electronic media on cell phones or tablets.
Photos, texts, or videos should be printed (or placed on a thumb drive with a means of playing the thumb drive in court, such as on a laptop).
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judge’s Zoom credentials.
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).
A Final Judgment or Final Order must be signed before the case can be removed from the calendar.
The email and/or cover letter must state if the opposing counsel or party has agreed with the form and content and the parties must be copied in the email.
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party’s presentation.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders must be submitted to the court by email at Division54@circuit7.org.
All proposed orders must be submitted to the court by e-mail to Division54@circuit7.org.
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Emergency or expedited motions must be filed with the Clerk before status is determined and may not be submitted through the Portal.
All Emergency or Expedited Motions must be filed with the Clerk of Court prior to the Court determining emergency or expedited status. PLEASE NOTE that the Court does not receive motions through the Portal.
Page 7 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than 10 days after a hearing unless the court orders otherwise.
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than ten (10) days after any hearing, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must update their contact information using Form 2.603 whenever their email account registered for electronic service changes.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the email account registered for electronic service.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for receiving signed orders electronically unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.516.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Before scheduling a hearing, file the motion with the Clerk of Court and send it to opposing counsel or self-represented parties.
Motions must be filed with the Clerk of Court and sent to opposing counsel/self-represented parties prior to scheduling a hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
File and serve the notice of hearing immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must also immediately file and serve a Notice of Cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All counsel must be notified of hearings, including case management hearings.
All counsel must be noticed for hearing (including case management).
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A copy of every submission must be provided to all other parties.
A copy of any submission must be provided to all other parties.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Proposed orders must be provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When hearing time is reserved with the Judicial Assistant, it will not be confirmed until a courtesy copy of the notice of hearing is emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
Should hearing time be reserved with the JA, the time will not be confirmed until a courtesy copy of the Notice of Hearing is emailed to the Judicial Assistant at klee@circuit7.org.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A courtesy copy of the notice of cancellation should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant.
A courtesy copy of the Notice of Cancellation should be emailed to the JA at klee@circuit7.org.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy copies of case law and memoranda may be emailed to the JA or delivered in a notebook three days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies of case law and memos to the court can be submitted to the court three (3) days prior to the hearing by email to the JA at klee@circuit7.org or by delivering a notebook to 410 St. Johns Avenue, Palatka, FL 32177.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Documents are not required in advance of a hearing.
Documents are never required ahead of a hearing.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must specifically state its basis and when it became known, whether it is opposed, the actions and dates needed to prepare, and the proposed ready-to-proceed date and whether all parties agree.
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Cancel hearings no later than three days before the hearing, unless the matter is settled or an emergency exists.
Hearings must be cancelled no later than three (3) days before the hearing, unless the matter is settled or there is an emergency.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Submit a continuance motion at least three days before the scheduled court date, unless exigent circumstances apply.
Motions for continuance must be submitted at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled court date for which the continuance is sought, barring exigent circumstances.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Continuances are disfavored, require good cause, and will not be granted for lack of due diligence; successive continuances are highly disfavored.
Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
All communications to the judicial office must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant at the listed address.
Division E-mail : All communications to the judicial office must be sent to the Judicial Assistant by e-mail to klee@circuit7.org.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless the communication is legally authorized ex parte.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Request hearings by contacting the Judicial Assistant at the listed email address.
Hearings must be requested by contacting the Judicial Assistant at klee@circuit7.org.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Coordinate all hearings with opposing counsel.
All hearings must be coordinated with opposing counsel.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Notify the Judicial Assistant immediately when canceling a hearing.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the JA immediately.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
For an emergency or expedited motion, notify the JA and email the motion to the division.
You must notify the JA that you have an emergency and/or expedited motion and email the motion to Division54@circuit7.org.
Page 7 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Emails to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter in the subject line.
The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Parties may contact the judicial office only as permitted by these procedures, and the court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
E-mails sent to or from the judicial office may be public records subject to disclosure.
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
Page 3 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Judicial Assistant strives to respond to inquiries within two business days.
The JA strives to respond to all inquiries within two (2) business days.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
If the Judicial Assistant cannot provide a substantive response within two business days, the office will acknowledge the message and indicate when to expect a substantive response and whom to contact for immediate assistance.
If the judicial assistant is unable to substantively respond within two (2) business days, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and alternate contact for immediate assistance.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The Judicial Assistant cannot provide legal advice.
The JA is not authorized to provide legal advice.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office