Judge Geoffrey H. Gentile
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Filings < 50 pages
Filings > 50 pages
Motion
Notice of Compliance
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Adjournments
- A continuance motion must specifically state the basis for the request, whether it is opposed, the actions and dates needed for readiness, and the proposed ready date and party agreement.
Request must include
- A continuance motion must be filed at least five days before the scheduled court date, and a continuance is granted only upon a showing of good cause.
Communication
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Phone
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideDuty Judge
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Proposed orders must be submitted only in Word format and may not contain the listed material after “Done and Ordered.”
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
Formatting
- •Do not include headnotes
- •Do not include footnotes
- •Do not include a signature line
Court's wording
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format only. Do not include headnotes, footnotes, inserts such as text boxes or pictures, any reference to date, signature line, Judge’s name and Certificate of Service after “Done and Ordered”.
Hearing materials of more than 50 pages must be submitted by U.S. mail or hand-delivered in hard copy to the Court.
- More than 50 pages
- File type
- Paper
All scheduled hearings will be conducted in Judge Gentile's virtual courtroom. Hearings will be conducted through video and telephone.
Document Filing Requirements14 rules
When required by the General Magistrate, attorneys must prepare and timely submit a Recommended Order of General Magistrate to avoid possible sanctions.
Court's wording
If required by the General Magistrate, the attorneys shall prepare a Recommended Order of General Magistrate. Failure to submit said Recommended Order of General Magistrate in a timely manner may result in sanctions being imposed by the presiding Circuit Court Judge.
It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to provide and/or update their contact information using Form 2.603, Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address form.
A Notice of Hearing must comply with Administrative Order 2.35, which must include the name of the motion to be heard and the date the motion was filed.
All Notices of Hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
If there is an objection, both parties must submit their proposed order(s) in one e-mail. The cover letter or the body of the e-mail must contain a statement outlining the objections.
When submitting a proposed order, a cover letter or the body of the e-mail must indicate that all counsel have reviewed the proposed order and indicate whether or not the proposed order is agreed to or if there is an objection.
When submitting an Agreed Order, a cover letter must be included indicate that all counsel have reviewed the proposed order and is agreed to by all parties.
A detailed motion requesting an emergency hearing must identify the issues, explain the need for emergency relief, and state each party’s required presentation time.
Court's wording
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion must be filed setting forth the following: (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.
The ACMP are to be submitted through the E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/default.aspx and must include a cover letter to Civil Case Management.
If not agreed, each party shall file a requested verdict form.
The parties shall file one joint set of Agreed Jury Instructions (100-800) with any requested changes/additions not agreed to by all parties “redlined”.
The parties must file all exhibits with stipulations addressing admissibility and authenticity by the stated pretrial deadline.
Court's wording
The parties shall file all exhibits with stipulations to admissibility and authenticity no later than 3:00 pm the day prior to the scheduled Final Pretrial Conference or, if a Final Pretrial Conference is not scheduled, by 3:00 p.m.
The signer of any filing must represent that all identified legal authorities exist and are accurately cited.
Court's wording
We amend rule 2.515(d)(2) to require the signer of a filing to represent that the legal authorities identified in that filing “exist and are accurately cited.” This requirement applies both to filings prepared by attorneys and to filings prepared by unrepresented parties.
On filing, each signer must represent that the signer read the document, believes there are good grounds to support it, is not filing it for delay, and has verified that cited legal authorities exist and are accurately cited.
Court's wording
(2) Representation by Signer. On filing, each signer represents that: (A) the signer has read the document; (B) to the best of the signer’s knowledge, information, and belief, there are good grounds to support the document; and (C) the document is not interposed for delay; and (D) the legal authorities identified exist and are accurately cited.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders not agreed to by all parties must be submitted to the court by email at the specified address.
Proposed orders not agreed to by all parties must be submitted to the Court by e-mail to cha-circuitcivil@ca.cjis20.org.
Page 8 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
An Agreed Court Ordered Case Management Plan must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal and include a cover letter to Civil Case Management.
The ACMP are to be submitted through the E-Filing Portal at https://www.myflcourtaccess.com/default.aspx and must include a cover letter to Civil Case Management.
Page 10 | Amended Court Ordered Case Management Plans
Jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word by email to the listed court address.
All jury instructions and verdict forms shall be submitted to the Court in an electronic version in Microsoft Word via e-mail to ggentilecivil@ca.cjis20.org.
Page 11 | Trial Procedures
Comments filed by attorneys in good standing with The Florida Bar must be submitted electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
If filed by an attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar, the comment must be electronically filed via the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (Portal).
Page 3 | Opinion amending Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515
A person unable to submit electronically must mail or hand-deliver the originally signed comment to the Florida Supreme Court Clerk's Office, and no additional copies are accepted.
Any person unable to submit a comment electronically must mail or hand-deliver the originally signed comment to the Florida Supreme Court, Office of the Clerk, 500 South Duval Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399; no additional copies are required or will be accepted.
Page 3 | Opinion amending Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515
Orders agreed to by all parties should be submitted through the court’s e-filing portal.
Only proposed orders that have been agreed to by all parties (Agreed Orders) should be submitted through the Court’s E-Filing Portal.
Page 8 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Comments filed by nonlawyers or lawyers not licensed to practice in Florida may, but are not required to, be filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.
If filed by a nonlawyer or a lawyer not licensed to practice in Florida, the comment may be, but is not required to be, filed via the Portal.
Page 3 | Opinion amending Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A party may file cross-exceptions within five days after service of the initial exceptions.
ANY PARTY MAY FILE CROSS-EXCEPTIONS WITHIN 5 DAYS FROM THE SERVICE OF THE EXCEPTIONS.
Page 1 | REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE
A party filing exceptions without a full transcript must promptly file a notice designating transcript portions to be transcribed and allow other parties reasonable time after service to designate additional portions.
If the party filing exceptions has less than a full transcript of the proceeding before the General Magistrate prepared, that party must promptly file a notice designating the portions of the transcript that will be transcribed, and the other parties must be given reasonable time after service of the notice to arrange for the preparation and designation of other portions of the transcript for the Court to consider at the hearing.
Page 1 | REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE
Exceptions to the magistrate’s report and recommendation must be filed within ten days after service of the report.
REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE SHALL BE BY EXCEPTIONS FILED WITHIN 10 DAYS AFTER IT IS SERVED, AS PROVIDED IN RULE 1.490(i), FLORIDA RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE.
Page 1 | REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE
An objection to referral to the magistrate must be filed no later than the scheduled hearing date.
Any party wishing to object to the referral to the Magistrate must file a timely objection no later than the date of the scheduled hearing.
Page 1 | HEARING PLACE AND TIME
Designated transcript portions supporting exceptions must be delivered to the court and all other parties at least 48 hours before the hearing.
The designated transcript portions must be delivered to the Court and all other parties at least 48 hours before the hearing.
Page 1 | REVIEW OF THE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE GENERAL MAGISTRATE
A Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after the Judicial Assistant's confirmation email, or the motion will not be heard.
A Notice of Hearing must be filed and served immediately after receiving the confirmation e-mail from the Judicial Assistant. If a Notice of Hearing is not filed, the Motion will not be heard.
Page 4 | Scheduling and Hearing Procedures
All hearing materials must be received by the court at least three business days before the hearing, and copies must be provided to all parties or counsel.
The Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing. Copies of all hearing materials must be provided to all parties/counsel.
Page 4 | Scheduling and Hearing Procedures
Jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on the day before the Final Pretrial Conference, or by 3:00 p.m. before the first trial day if no conference is scheduled.
All Jury Instructions and Verdict Forms shall be filed no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled Final Pretrial Conference hearing, or, if a Final Pretrial Conference hearing is not scheduled, by 3:00 p.m. prior to the first day of the scheduled trial.
Page 11 | Trial Procedures
The parties must exchange final exhibit lists at least two business days before trial and may add exhibits only for good cause.
The parties will exchange final exhibit lists of all photographs, documents and exhibits at least two (2) business days before the first day of the trial and will be limited thereby except for good cause.
Page 12 | Trial Procedures
All exhibits must be marked before trial begins.
All exhibits must be pre-marked prior to commencement of trial.
Page 12 | Trial Procedures
Comments are due on or before August 11, 2026, and a person wishing to participate in oral argument must submit a separate request.
All comments must be filed with the Court on or before August 11, 2026, as well as a separate request for oral argument if the person filing the comment wishes to participate in oral argument, which may be scheduled in this case.
Page 3 | Opinion amending Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515
Interested persons may file comments with the Court within 75 days from the date of the opinion.
Because the amendments were not published for comment previously, interested persons shall have 75 days from the date of this opinion in which to file comments with the Court.
Page 3 | Opinion amending Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515
Filing a motion for rehearing does not change the effective date of the amendments.
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS.
Page 4 | Order
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A Notice of Cancellation must be immediately filed and served 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 5 | Cancelling Hearings
Parties must provide opposing counsel with every document they provide to the Court.
Parties must provide opposing counsel with all documents provided to the Court.
Page 9 | Deadline for Submissions
Every proposed order must be provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
All proposed orders must be provided to opposing counsel and self-represented litigant.
Page 8 | Submission of Orders and Judgments
Copies were served electronically pursuant to Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.516(h).
Electronic Service: Copies served purusant to Fla. R. Judicial Admin. 2.516(h),
Page 2 | Electronic Service
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies over 50 pages must be sent by U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
Courtesy copies in excess of 50 pages must be submitted to the Court by U.S. Mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.
Page 8 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies must be submitted at least three days before the scheduled hearing.
Courtesy copies must be submitted at least three (3) days prior to the scheduled hearing.
Page 9 | Deadline for Submissions
After a motion is filed and appears on the Clerk’s docket, a courtesy copy should be emailed to the Judicial Assistant for the Court’s review.
Once the Motion has been filed and is viewable on the Clerk’s docket, a courtesy copy of the Motion should be submitted via email to the Judicial Assistant at KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org for the Court’s review and consideration.
Page 5 | Motions for Rehearing
Courtesy copies under 50 pages may be submitted to the court by email at the specified address.
Courtesy copies less than 50 pages can be submitted to the Court by e-mail to ggentilecivil@ca.cjis20.org.
Page 8 | Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance motion must be filed at least five days before the scheduled court date, and a continuance is granted only upon a showing of good cause.
A motion for continuance must be filed at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled court date. Continuances 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 continuance.
Page 5 | Continuance Procedure
A continuance motion must specifically state the basis for the request, whether it is opposed, the actions and dates needed for readiness, and the proposed ready date and party agreement.
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 5 | Continuance Procedure
Chambers Communication Rules
All parties must be copied on emails 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 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic delivery 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 | Communications with the Judicial Office
A hearing must be cancelled by immediately emailing the Judicial Assistant and immediately filing and serving a Notice of Cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the Judicial Assistant immediately via e-mail at KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org. You must also immediately file and serve a Notice of Cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Page 5 | Cancelling Hearings
Emergency-hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with a copy of the motion and copies to all interested parties, after which the judge determines whether a hearing is required.
All requests for an emergency hearing must be submitted to the Judicial Assistant via email to KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org with a copy of the Motion. All parties of interest must be copied on the correspondence to the Court. After review, the Judge will determine if a hearing is required.
Page 9 | Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
A person needing a disability accommodation must contact the Administrative Services Manager at least seven days before the appearance, or immediately if fewer than seven days remain, and may call 711 if hearing or voice impaired.
If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provisions of certain assistance. Please contact Jon Embury, Administrative Services Manager, whose office is located at 350 E. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950, and whose telephone number is (941) 637-2110, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Page 1 | AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
A party needing more than the reserved hearing time must contact the Magistrate’s Assistant within five days after receiving the order.
The hearing before the General Magistrate on these issues shall be held on: [DATE], 2019 at [TIME] a.m./p.m. at the Charlotte County Justice Center, 350 East Marion Avenue, 4th Floor, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. [LENGTH OF HEARING] (______) minutes have been reserved for this hearing. The time reserved for the hearing is to be split evenly by the parties. If either party requires additional time, that party must contact the Magistrate’s Assistant within 5 days of receipt of this Order.
Page 1 | HEARING PLACE AND TIME
The subject line of an email to the judicial office must identify the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
The subject line of any e-mail must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 24-1234-CA, Doe v. Doe – Hearing Request).
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Written communications sent to the judge should be filed with the clerk and provided to the parties in the case.
All letters, emails or other written communications sent to the Judge should be filed with the Clerk and provided to the attorneys or litigants in a case.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.
Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the Court.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
If the parties cannot identify a hearing date or time on JACS, email the Judicial Assistant and copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant to request additional available dates or times.
If parties are unable to identify a hearing date/time on JACS, the scheduling party should e-mail the Judicial Assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to obtain additional dates/times, if available.
Page 3 | Scheduling and Hearing Procedures
After agreeing on a hearing date and time with opposing counsel, send the Judicial Assistant an email containing the case number, case name, motion, and requested hearing duration.
All hearings must be coordinatee with opposing counsel. When the parties have agreed to a date/time, send an e-mail request to the Judicial Assistant at KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org. The e-mail request must contain the case number, case name, the motion to be heard and the amount of time to be reserved.
Page 3 | Scheduling and Hearing Procedures
When all parties agree to appear in person, that agreement must be included in an email to the Judicial Assistant when scheduling a hearing.
If all parties agree to appear in-person, include this information in an e-mail to schedule a hearing to the Judicial Assistant at KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org.
Page 6 | Remote Appearance Procedure
Parties must telephone the Clerk of Court’s Office at least three business days before trial to ensure proper exhibit marking.
Parties must contact the Clerk of Court’s Office at 941-637-2214 at least three (3) business days prior to trial to ensure that all exhibits will be properly marked prior to the commencement of trial.
Page 12 | Trial Procedures
Counsel and pro se parties may call the court reception desk no earlier than the Friday before the hearing to obtain the courtroom location.
Counsel and/or Pro Se parties may contact the Administrative Office of the Courts, reception desk phone number 941-637-2281 no earlier than the Friday prior to hearing in order to find out the location of the courtroom where the hearing will be conducted.
Page 1 | HEARING PLACE AND TIME
Communications to Judge Gentile’s office are preferably submitted by email to the judicial assistant at KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org.
All communications to Judge Gentile’s office is preferred to be submitted by e-mail to Judge Gentile’s Judicial Assistant, Kimberly, at KDenatale@ca.cjis20.org.
Page 1 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Emails 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 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
The judicial assistant aims to substantively respond to email inquiries within one business day.
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all e-mail inquiries within one (1) business day.
Page 2 | Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearing material of 50 pages or fewer may be emailed to Judge Gentile at the stated address.
Hearing material of 50 pages or less may be sent to Judge Gentile via e-mail to GGentile@ca.cjis20.org.
Page 4 | Scheduling and Hearing Procedures