Judge Jack Gutman
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- Before Hearing
Filings < 50 pages
Remote Appearance Motion
Extraordinary Writ Petition
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date and, absent good cause, signed by the requesting party.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Phone
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Attorneys submitting case law are limited to no more than 5 pages.
- Attorneys
- Case law for attorneys
- Up to 5 pages
Document Format Requirements5 rules
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
- File type
- Proposed order
Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email civdivv@fljud13.org with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.
- File type
- Word
- Competing order
Exhibits must be submitted to the Clerk of Court in paper format unless the exhibit is an audio/video file. Audio/video files must be submitted on a disc or thumb drive.
- File type
- Paper
- Exhibits
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant 1.”
The materials may be submitted in PDF format.
- File type
Document Filing Requirements19 rules
The notice of hearing must describe, in detail, the efforts made to reach an agreement on the hearing date. A single letter, email or ultimatum is insufficient. Unilaterally set hearings that do not describe efforts to agree on a hearing date may be cancelled by the court without notice.
If the hearing is cancelled the same day it is scheduled to be heard, the party must also notify the judicial assistant. Counsel/Self represented litigant must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
A remote-appearance motion must establish good cause and state whether the opponent objects; merely stating that no response was received is unacceptable.
Court's wording
The motion must show good cause from the party requesting the remote appearance. The motion must also include whether the opposing party has an objection. A statement that counsel/self-represented litigant has not heard back from the opposing party is unacceptable.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying that all parties agree to the order. It is not sufficient to state that the proposing party has not heard back from the other party(s), unless 5 days have elapsed without a response.
Requirements: If a party is requesting a remote appearance for a scheduled, in person hearing, a written motion must be filed and a courtesy copy must be sent to civdivv@fljud13.org.
An agreed order must begin with the caption “Agreed Order,” state in its first paragraph that the parties agree to the relief, and identify the supporting stipulation or motion.
- Document
- Agreed order
- Placement
- Caption
Court's wording
Proposed orders on agreed relief or relief sought jointly by the parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption. The first paragraph of the order must state that the parties agree to the relief afforded by the court, and it must identify the stipulation or motion providing the basis for the relief.
Motions to compel discovery must comply with the good-faith conference certification requirements for Rule 1.380. Motions that do not comply will be denied.
- Document
- Motion to compel discovery
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
The Court expects parties to undertake true, good-faith efforts to resolve discovery disputes before filing a motion to compel.
The party introducing any digital evidence must make arrangements for the evidence to be shown in court during the trial/hearing.
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) 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.
Pre-Trial Conferences: Attendance at the Pre-Trial Conference in person is mandatory.
All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
When preparing the notice of hearing, always include the filing date and document index number of the motion being heard.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion, if the hearing is noticed to be in person.
Except in rare circumstances, agreed orders that are not preceded by a motion or stipulation will be rejected.
The email may briefly describe why the party’s proposed form is correct, but additional legal argument is prohibited.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
If the parties agree to add certain motion(s) to a hearing and the additional motion(s) will not exceed the time already allotted, the party should file an amended notice of hearing after clearing the addition with the judicial assistant.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Agreed or unopposed proposed orders must be submitted through the E-Portal, while competing orders follow a separate submission procedure.
Submission Method: E-Filing Portal (for all agreed upon proposed orders or orders not objected to within 5 days). For competing orders, see above.
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Competing or opposed orders should not be submitted through the E-Portal.
Competing orders or opposed orders should not be uploaded via the E-Portal.
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All hearing materials must be received at least five days before the hearing, and later materials will not be considered.
The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five days before the hearing. Materials received after this deadline will not be considered.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A proposed order must be submitted within 14 days after the hearing, and untimely submission may result in denial without prejudice or a rehearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 14 days after any hearing. Failure to timely submit a proposed order may result in a denial of the motion without prejudice or a rehearing.
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than five days before an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court no later than five days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
All exhibits must be received in the judge’s chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Page 7 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Evidentiary exhibits must be filed with the clerk and mailed to chambers seven days before the hearing, or delivered by hand three days before it.
For evidentiary hearing exhibits, all documents the parties want the Court to consider, must be filed with the Clerk of Court and mailed to the Judge’s chambers 7 days before the hearing, or delivered by hand 3 days before the hearing.
Page 7 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Mediation is mandatory in every case before trial.
Mediation: ALL CASES MUST BE MEDIATED BEFORE TRIAL.
Page 8 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Parties must confer about a motion in limine before requesting hearing time from the court.
Parties must first confer regarding Motions in Limine before requesting hearing time from the Court.
Page 8 | I. Setting Case for Trial
All motions other than motions in limine must be heard before the pretrial conference, and no motion will be heard afterward.
All motions, except motions in limine, must be heard before the Pre-Trial Conference. No motions will be heard after the Pre-Trial Conference.
Page 8 | I. Setting Case for Trial
The judicial assistant's hearing dates will be placed on the JAWS docket only after receipt of the e-filed notice of hearing.
Please be advised that the hearing date(s) provided by the judicial assistant will ONLY be scheduled on the court’s docket in JAWS upon receipt of a copy of the eFiled notice of hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A unilateral notice of hearing may set a hearing with at least 30 days' notice, but only when the parties lack cooperation regarding the hearing date.
Unilateral notices of hearing may be set with a minimum of 30 days notice and only due to a lack of cooperation.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The court will consider any materials submitted no later than 5 days before any evidentiary proceeding.
The court will consider any materials submitted no later than 5 days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The party responsible for the proposed order must consult all parties within five days after the hearing and genuinely attempt to agree on its language.
The party charged with submitting the order must consult with all parties within 5 days of the hearing and make a genuine effort to agree on the language of the proposed order.
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A notice of hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
When a hearing is canceled on the day it is set, counsel or a self-represented litigant must immediately serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
If the hearing is cancelled the same day it is scheduled to be heard, the party must also notify the judicial assistant. Counsel/Self represented litigant must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Identical copies of highlighted hearing materials must be provided to all other parties before the hearing.
If the materials submitted to the court has any highlighting, identical copies must be provided to all other parties in advance of the hearing.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The courtesy copy of a remote-appearance motion must be delivered by email to civdivv@fljud13.org.
If a party is requesting a remote appearance for a scheduled, in person hearing, a written motion must be filed and a courtesy copy must be sent to civdivv@fljud13.org.
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of every exhibit for the clerk, court, and each party to review it during the proceeding.
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.
Page 7 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Identical copies of highlighted materials submitted to the court must be provided to every other party before the hearing.
If the materials submitted to the court has any highlighting, identical copies must be provided to all other parties in advance of the hearing.
Page 7 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law are not required, but the court will consider materials submitted no later than five days before an evidentiary proceeding.
Not Required: Courtesy copies of case law is not required but the court will consider any materials submitted no later than 5 days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy materials under 50 pages may be delivered by hand, mail, or email to the court.
The materials may be hand delivered, mailed or emailed to the court if the materials are less than 50 pages.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause; the request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date and, absent good cause, signed by the requesting party.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. 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).
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
All parties must be copied on emails directed to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
UMC hearings and hearings of 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through the court's online scheduling platform.
UMC Hearings and 30-minute hearings or less must be scheduled using the court’s online scheduling platform.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 to update contact information whenever the 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 e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All hearings longer than 30 minutes must be scheduled by email to civdivv@fljud13.org.
Scheduling Hearings: ALL HEARINGS LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES MUST BE SCHEDULED VIA EMAIL (CIVDIVV@FLJUD13.ORG).
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Emergency requests must be made by calling the office and following up by email identifying the request as an emergency.
If the matter is an emergency, call the office and follow up with an email, noting that the request is an emergency.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Other hearings must be requested by email.
Other hearings must be requested by e-mail.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from nonparties unless the parties agree and want the court to consider them.
Unsolicited communications from nonparties will not be considered by the court unless the parties agree and want the court to consider the communication(s).
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A party canceling a hearing must immediately notify the judicial assistant by email at civdivv@fljud13.org.
Cancelling Hearings: Parties must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately by emailing civdivv@fljud13.org.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys must appear by video unless they file a motion and the court grants permission to appear by phone.
Attorneys are required to appear by video, unless the party files a motion and the court grants permission to appear telephonically.
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
If no hearing date and time can be identified on JAWS, the scheduling party should email the judicial office and copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
If parties are unable to identify a hearing date and time on JAWS, the scheduling party should e-mail the judicial office, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial office should be notified when a notice of voluntary dismissal or settlement is filed so that hearing and trial dates may be canceled in JAWS.
Notice of Voluntary Dismissals/Notice of Settlement: please notify the judicial office when these notices are filed so all hearing/trial dates may be cancelled in JAWS.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial assistant should be notified as soon as possible when a hearing time is no longer needed so it may be assigned to another case.
Please notify the judicial assistant ASAP if the hearing time is no longer needed so it can be utilized for another case.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A party lacking video technology must appear telephonically at the hearing by calling 1-786-635-1003.
If a party does not have access to a computer with a camera and speakers or a smartphone with video capability, he/she must still appear for the hearing by phone. At the scheduled time of the hearing, the party may access the hearing by calling 1-786-635-1003.
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
Every remote-hearing participant must sign in using their full first and last names.
All parties must sign in using their full first and last names.
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
A hearing may be rescheduled when a party appears by phone so that the party can appear by video or in person.
Please note if the party appears by phone, the hearing may be rescheduled for another date where the party will be directed to appear by video or in person at the courthouse.
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
When the court finds an emergency, it will unilaterally schedule a hearing, and all parties must be available unless exigent circumstances apply.
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the Court. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
Page 7 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Parties should email the judicial assistant or use the UMC docket to request a trial-setting hearing, or may agree on a trial date and submit a stipulated order.
The parties should email the judicial assistant requesting a hearing to set a trial date or set the case on a UMC docket; or the parties may stipulate to a trial date and submit a stipulated order setting the case for trial.
Page 8 | I. Setting Case for Trial
Parties needing an ADA accommodation are asked to contact the ADA Coordinator at least seven days before the scheduled court appearance.
ADA Accommodations: If a party needs an ADA accommodation, please contact ADA Coordinator, Hillsborough County Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs St., Room 604, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 272-7040, at least 7 days before the scheduled court appearance.
Page 9 | K. Other Division Procedures
Communications to the judicial office are preferably submitted by email to civdivv@fljud13.org.
Method of Communication: Communications to the judicial office are preferred to be submitted by e-mail to civdivv@fljud13.org.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The judicial assistant cannot provide legal advice or discuss specific case details.
The judicial assistant cannot give legal advice or discuss specific case details.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The moving party may request scheduling of a case management or status conference through the UMC docket or by emailing the judicial assistant at civdivv@fljud13.org.
The moving party may schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform (UMC docket) or contact the judicial assistant via email at civdivv@fljud13.org.
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Any party may request a status conference when the case requires one.
Any party may request a status conference when a case requires.
Page 8 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Hearing- or voice-impaired parties are instructed to call 711.
If a party is hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Page 9 | K. Other Division Procedures