Judge Rebecca Hamilton
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Filings > 20 pages
Motion
Notice, Motion, Exhibits
- At Least 5 Business Days Before Hearing
Notice, Motion, Proposed Order
- At Least 5 Business Days Before Hearing
Communication
Chambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
After all parties agree, upload the proposed trial orders to JAWS in PDF format for Judge Hamilton’s review and signature.
- File type
- Trial order
Submit AGREED UPON orders only via JAWS in PDF format.
- File type
- Agreed order
Please redline to easily identify differences.
Formatting
- •Redline the competing orders to easily identify differences
Document Filing Requirements20 rules
Title the NOH as “Telephonic” and include below:
Dial-in: 978-990-5330
Unilaterally set hearings MUST contain in the Notice of Hearing a detail of times and dates given to opposing and certified that the opposing has not filed a Notice of Unavailability during the time frame.
Opposing must be given at least 5 days to respond.
Please do not submit the proposed Order with trial dates unless a CMC hearing has happened or Judge Hamilton has instructed you to do so.
The attorney responsible for filing the NOH, shall include the Zoom meeting ID and Password, and provide copies to all parties.
Access Code: 5156986#
5 days prior to hearing, anything Judge will need for the hearing must be provided.
15 days prior to hearing date, provide any filed Amended NOH to ensure matters noticed are clear.
Notice of hearing must include:
Please do not put the physical courthouse address on the notice of hearing, as this matter will only be heard telephonically using Judge Hamilton’s conference call # 978-990-5330 Access code 5156986#.
Please title the notice as “Telephonic Notice of Hearing” so it is clear to all parties not to appear in-person, please be sure to confirm this with any pro se parties since we have had instances where they appear in person at the courthouse.
If a Pretrial Conference time was not provided by the Court, you must schedule a Case Management Conference (CMC) for the Judge to approve the request for a Pretrial Conference.
Be sure to include a separate cover letter.
Include
- •Include a separate cover letter
Include a cover letter indicating whether the opposing party agrees with the proposed order and ensure all parties are copied on the correspondence.
5. A PROPOSED ORDER
Include
- •Proposed order
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR COVER LETTER STATES HOW LONG YOU WILL NEED FOR THE NON- JURY TRIAL.
Plaintiff is responsible for preparing the Notice that the Cause is at Issue, proposed Order Scheduling Non-Jury Trial (SEE PAGE 6), and sufficient copies of the order and postage-paid envelopes for all parties.
- Document
- Non-jury trial scheduling package
Include
- •Proposed order
Zoom meeting ID and password are case specific. They cannot be used for any other hearing.
Please ensure the correct time is included in your trial order.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All necessary documents for hearings must be filed electronically.
All necessary hearing documents must be e-filed.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
When a case is ready for trial, all necessary motions must be e-filed and a hearing must be requested on the CMC docket or through a 15-minute JAWS hearing.
If the case is ready for trial, e-file all necessary motions and request a hearing either on the CMC docket or any 15-minute hearing in JAWS.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
Hearing documents may not be uploaded to JAWS or emailed.
Hearing documents are NOT to be uploaded to JAWS or emailed.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
After all parties agree, upload the proposed trial orders to JAWS in PDF format for Judge Hamilton’s review and signature.
After all parties agree, upload the proposed trial orders to JAWS in PDF format for Judge Hamilton’s review and signature.
Page 7 | Submitting an Order Setting Jury Trial and Pretrial Conference Orders
Agreed-upon orders must be submitted exclusively through JAWS in PDF format.
Submit AGREED UPON orders only via JAWS in PDF format.
Page 8 | Submitting Orders
An order that is not agreed upon must not be submitted to JAWS; provide competing orders in Word format to the Section instead.
If the order is not agreed upon, DO NOT SUBMIT IT TO JAWS, but rather provide competing orders in Word format to the Section.
Page 8 | Submitting Orders
Streamlined or General Track Orders must be submitted through JAWS for judicial review.
Streamlined or General Track Order’s to be submitted via JAWS for judicial review.
Page 10 | Case Management and Resolution
After 15 days have passed following service, the motion may be sent to the court by US Mail, UPS, FedEx, or uploaded through JAWS, but not by email.
When fifteen (15) days have passed after service on opposing parties, then send to the court via US Mail, UPS, FedEx or upload via JAWS. Do not email them to the Court.
Page 9 | Motions Decided on Written Submissions-Civil Division
Case law may be filed electronically by filing a Notice of Filing.
Case law may be e-filed under a Notice of Filing.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Submit the proposed Uniform Pretrial Conference order at least three days before the pretrial conference.
Submit the proposed Uniform PTC order to section13@jud6.org at least 3 days prior to the pre-trial conference.
Page 7 | Submitting an Order Setting Jury Trial and Pretrial Conference Orders
After being served with a motion subject to the written-submission procedure, the nonmoving opposing party has 15 days to file a written response before the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
As provided by the AOs, after being served with such motions, the nonmoving opposing party shall have 15 days to file any written response, after which the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
Page 9 | Motions Decided on Written Submissions-Civil Division
Cases lacking a pre-2025 Case Management Order must have a CMC Order signed by April 4, 2025.
All cases without a Case Management Order (prior to 1/1/25) must have a CMC Order signed by 4/4/25.
Page 10 | Case Management and Resolution
After service of a listed foreclosure motion, the nonmoving opposing party has 16 days to file a written response, after which the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
Foreclosure Motions. The following motions shall generally be considered on written submissions: Motions to Compel, Motions to Strike, Motions for Extension of Time, Motions to Dismiss, Motions for Substitution of Party Plaintiff, Motions to Substitute Counsel, Motions to Add Party. As provided by the AO, after being served with such motions, the nonmoving opposing party shall have 16 days to file any written response, after which the court may rule without further notice or hearing.
Page 12 | MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE CASE PROCEDURE:
Allow up to 15 days for JAWS review of non-emergency order submissions.
Please allow up to 15 days for non-emergency matters to be reviewed in JAWS.
Page 8 | Submitting Orders
Service and Proof of Service Rules
E-mailing of documents will not be accepted.
E-mailing of documents will not be accepted.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
Documents intended for consideration at any hearing, including evidentiary hearings and trials, must be exchanged with opposing counsel or an opposing pro se party at least five business days before the hearing.
All documents to be considered at any hearing, evidentiary, including trial, must be EXCHANGED with opposing counsel or opposing pro se party, at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
A party must provide opposing counsel and the judge with any original or color photo or document at least five days before the hearing.
Any photo/document where image/items need to be original or in color, party must provide opposing counsel and Judge 5 (five) days prior to hearing.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
Motions in limine must comply with the CMC and PTC orders and be served on opposing counsel and the court no later than 30 days before the pretrial conference.
Motions in Limine must comply with CMC and PTC Orders, being served no later than 30 days before PTC to OC and the Court.
Page 7 | Trial Week Schedule
Photos and videos may be sent by email or Drop-Box, but thumb drives will not be accepted.
Photos and videos may be emailed or sent via Drop-Box. No thumb drives will be accepted.
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
If documents, including memoranda with exhibits, exceed 20 pages, a hard copy or binder must be provided to the court by U.S. mail, FedEx, UPS, or hand delivery.
If documents, including Memorandum’s with exhibits exceed 20 pages, please provide a hard copy/binder to the Court. US Mail/Fed Ex/UPS or Hand Delivery is acceptable
Page 5 | Hearing/Document Procedures
Five days before calendar call, email courtesy copies of the filed proposed jury instructions and verdict form in Word format to the Judicial Assistant.
Five (5) days prior to “calendar call”, email courtesy copies of filed proposed jury instructions and verdict form in a Word Format to the Judicial Assistant at section13@jud6.org. Applies to Non-Jury Trials and Jury Trials.
Page 7 | Trial Week Schedule
A courtesy copy of the motion must be included in the submission to the court.
2. A courtesy copy of the motion
Page 9 | Motions Decided on Written Submissions-Civil Division
For foreclosure summary-judgment hearings, the scheduling party must send courtesy copies of the notice, motion, supporting materials, and proposed Uniform Final Judgment of Foreclosure so Judge Hamilton’s office receives them at least five business days before the hearing, and email is prohibited.
The scheduling party must send courtesy copies of the Notice, Motion, and all supporting documentation and/or evidence and proposed Uniform Final Judgment of Foreclosure with copies and envelopes directly to Judge Rebecca Hamilton, 545 1st Avenue N., Room 412, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 via US MAIL/FEDEX/UPS/COURIER (NOT BY EMAIL) and must be received by the Judge’s office at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing.
Page 12 | Foreclosure Motions for Summary Judgment.
For qualifying foreclosure UMC hearings, the scheduling party must send courtesy copies of the notice, motion, and supporting materials so Judge Hamilton’s office receives them at least five business days before the hearing, and email is prohibited.
The scheduling party must send courtesy copies of the Notice, Motion, and all supporting documentation and/or evidence directly to Judge Rebecca Hamilton, 545 1st Avenue N., Room 412, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 via U.S. Mail/Fed Ex/UPS/Courier and must be received by the Judge’s office at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing (NOT BY EMAIL).
Page 12 | FORECLOSURE UMC HEARINGS:
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A motion to continue trial must comply with Rule 1.460 and be set for hearing.
Motions to Continue Trial: Must comply with Rule 1.460 and be set for hearing.
Page 8 | Motions to Continue Trial
Chambers Communication Rules
Hearing cancellations must be sent by email to the Section 13 Judicial Assistant.
Cancelations must be emailed to section13@jud6.org.
Page 4 | HELP FOR PARTIES WITHOUT ATTORNEYS
The Judicial Assistant will not forward or present emails that attempt to address the merits of a case to the judge.
To ensure fairness and compliance with judicial procedures, the Judicial Assistant is unable to forward or present emails to the Judge that attempt to address the merits of a case.
Page 3 | HELP FOR PARTIES WITHOUT ATTORNEYS
The Section 13 email address may be used only for scheduling and administrative matters, not for arguments or case-related correspondence.
SECTION13@JUD6.ORG EMAIL ADDRESS is intended strictly for scheduling and administrative matters, not for the submission of arguments or case-related correspondence.
Page 3 | HELP FOR PARTIES WITHOUT ATTORNEYS
Emails containing merits-related arguments, explanations, or supporting details are not reviewed by the judge.
Any case-related arguments, explanations, or supporting details submitted by email are not reviewed by the Judge.
Page 3 | HELP FOR PARTIES WITHOUT ATTORNEYS
If a pretrial motions-in-limine hearing is needed and JAWS shows no availability, email the Judicial Assistant to request special hearing times.
If a hearing is needed to address MIL’s prior to trial, and JAWS shows no availability, please email JA for special set times.
Page 7 | Trial Week Schedule
Email Section13@jud6.org is the preferred method of communication to the court.
Preferred method of communication: Email at Section13@jud6.org
Page 1 | Judicial Practice Preferences • Circuit Civil / Section 13
Self-represented parties seeking filing assistance must contact the Clerk's office directly or use the Court's self-help website.
If you need assistance with filing, please contact the Clerk’s office directly or visit the Court’s website for instructions and resources available to self-represented parties: https://www.mypinellasclerk.gov/Self-Help
Page 3 | HELP FOR PARTIES WITHOUT ATTORNEYS
Participants should join the telephonic hearing call at the scheduled hearing time, not five or more minutes early.
Please call in at your scheduled hearing time and not 5 or more minutes prior to avoid too many parties on the line at once.
Page 6 | Notices of Hearing