RS Divisional Instructions

Judicial Practices and Procedures

Last updated 05/29/2026

Ori Silver, Judge
Shakeria Hamilton-Knowles, Judicial Assistant

Table of Contents

A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Method of Communication:

Division E-mail

All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionRS@pbcgov.org, the dedicated division e-mail account. 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).

Telephone

Self-represented litigants and attorneys excused from e-mail service may communicate with the judicial office by telephone call to (561) 330-1787. The judicial office does not accept text messages.

Ex parte Communications:

All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless 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.

Unsolicited Communications:

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.

E-Filing Portal Contact Information:

All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 email designation form any time there is a change in the e- mail account registered for electronic service.

Other Method of Commucation

Pro Se litigants that have access to email are required to fill out and file with the Clerk an email designation form. This will allow the Court to submit orders to the parties via email instead of sending in the U.S. Postal Service which will greatly reduce the time for the parties' communication with each other and the Court. Please see the Clerk's Website for instructions for e-filing.

Response to Inquiries:

The judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.

The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day. If the judicial assistant is unable to substantively respond within one business day, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and alternate contact for immediate assistance.

Neither the Judge nor the Judicial Assistant can give you legal advice regarding how to proceed with your case. For assistance, you can contact the Self-Help Center at (561) 355-6781 located on the first floor of the Main West Palm Beach Courthouse. Additionally, the Palm Beach County Bar Association has a lawyer referral and information service at (561) 687-3266.

Other Communication Procedures:

Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.

ALL COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COURT MUST BE IN WRITING, filed with the Clerk and copied to all parties in the lawsuit. Be sure to include the case #, case name, your email address, and your telephone number, the reason for said correspondence or documents being sent and, if the case is scheduled for a hearing or trial, include the date and time.

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B. Scheduling Procedures

Court Schedule:

• Trials are scheduled on specific dates by court order.
• The Uniform Motion Calendar is Tuesday mornings at 10:00, 10:30, and 11:00 am dockets.
• The Calendar Calls and Case Management Conferences are held by Zoom on Friday morning.
• Pretrial Conferences are held Wednesday afternoons for live hearings.
• Eviction Hearings are held alternating Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.
• Small Claims Pretrial Conferences are held Wednesday afternoons for live hearings.

Scheduling Hearings:

Hearings of 30 minutes or less must be scheduled through Online Services. Hearings of more than 30 minutes must be scheduled by e-mailing the judicial assistant and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

If parties are unable to identify a hearing date and time on Online Services, the scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate scheduling the hearing.

Online Scheduling (OLS)

We participate in Online Scheduling (OLS) for UMC hearings and Short Special Set hearings for 15 minute and 30 minute blocks of time ONLY. The Court will open dates approximately 60 days in advance. Use of the system requires a user ID and password. Please see the link to the instructions on the homepage. Technical questions regarding the system should be directed to CAD-Web@pbcgov.org. In keeping with professional courtesy, any party scheduling a hearing shall make reasonable efforts to contact the opposing party/counsel for availability or scheduling conflicts.

OLS is not permitted for Eviction (residential or commercial) related hearings/ motions nor is it permitted for Claim of Exemption Hearings on all Garnishment proceedings. Hearings/motions on these matters must be special set by contacting the Judicial Assistant.

Small Claims Pretrial Conference Hearings

Small Claims Pretrial Conference Hearings are held every other Wednesday at 9:00 am.

The Court is holding Pretrial Conferences IN PERSON ONLY.

COVERAGE ATTORNEYS ARE LIMITED TO 10 CASES AND MUST PROVIDE A LIST OF CASES TO THE JUDICIAL ASSISTANT NO LATER THAN CLOSE OF BUSINESS THE MONDAY BEFORE THE PRETRIAL HEARING TO CAD-DivisionRS@pbcgov.org. IMPORTANT: the email must include the Representing Contract Attorney Name, case number and party names.

IF DEFENDANTS HAVE TO WAIT ON A COVERAGE ATTORNEY WHO ACCEPTED TOO MANY CASES, THE CASE WILL BE DISMISSED. ANY CASES NOT ASSIGNED TO A COVERAGE ATTORNEY WILL BE DISMISSED FOR LACK OF PROSECUTION.

In any case in which the Court has awarded a Default or Default Final Judgment, the Plaintiff must provide the Court with a proposed judgment within 30 days. If not, the case may be dismissed for lack of prosecution without further notice when the Court reviews its docket.

For cases that are NONSERVED: Plaintiff must request a new summons through the Clerk of Court in the ordinary course. The scheduled pre-trial hearing will be procedurally continued pending proper proof of service.

Cases that are continued pending settlement at the Pretrial Conference shall file the Stipulation and Dismissal within 30 days, or notice the case for trial. If not, the case will be considered settled or prosecution of the case abandoned, and subject to dismissal without further notice.

Waiver of Appearance at Pretrial Conference: Waivers of Appearance MUST comply with Florida Small Claims Rule 7.090 (e). Any waivers not in compliance will be STRICKEN. Stipulations to waive the pre-trial must be filed with the Clerk and presented to the Court by uploading a proposed order with a courtesy copy of the stipulation attached at least three (3) business days prior to pre-trial. The Court does not receive notifications of all filings in all cases. Accordingly, pre-trial is not waived unless the Court has been presented a stipulation with a proposed order to set trial through the proposed order option in OLS.

PIP Pretrial Conferences

PIP Pretrial Conferences will be held every other Tuesday at 9:30 AM, they are being held LIVE beginning on July 12, 2022, any hearing set prior to July 12, 2022 will remain on ZOOM.

For additional information please visit the 15th Judicial Circuit's County Civil webpage.

Notice of Hearing:

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judge's insert remote platform credentials.

Uniform Motion Calendar

Uniform Motion Calendar for Division RS will be held on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM via ZOOM. (10 minutes or less)

Uniform Motion Calendar (UMC) hearings must be set with five (5) business days notice including courtesy copies of the motion and notice to the Court using the Online Scheduling System through Online Services. Use of this system requires a user ID and password. Technical questions regarding the system should be directed to CAD-Web@pbcgov.org; the Judicial Assistant is not able to answer these questions.

At this time, the Court is not requiring a copy of the Notice of Hearing and Motion to be mailed to Chambers prior to the heading. Please be sure the motion and Notice of Hearing is docketed to the case prior to the hearing so that the Court may review all documents prior to the hearing. The Notice of Hearing must include the Court's ZOOM information as set forth above.

Relevant Case Law must be received by chambers at least three (3) days prior to the hearing or the hearing is subject to cancellation by the Court. All parties shall abide by Local Rule No. 4 to try to resolve the matter and certify the good faith attempt to resolve on the Notice of Hearing. Hearings can be cancelled in OLS without court approval.

Special Set Hearings

All special set non-evidentiary hearings will be held via ZOOM.

Parties shall mutually coordinate a hearing date and time using the Online Scheduling System (15 or 30 Minutes). At this time, the Court is not requiring a copy of the Notice of Hearing and Motion to be mailed to Chambers prior to the heading. Please be sure the motion and Notice of Hearing is docketed to the case prior to the hearing so that the Court may review all documents prior to the hearing. Prior to setting the hearing, ALL Motion(s) must be filed with the Clerk of Courts and then submit a copy of the Motion and Proposed Order thru the Online Services. All parties shall abide by Local Rule No. 4 to try to resolve the matter and certify the good faith attempt to resolve on the Notice of Hearing. Special Set hearings can only be cancelled by Court Order.

The Notice of Hearing must include the Court's ZOOM information.

Special set hearings requiring more than 30 minutes are held LIVE. Please email the judicial assistant at CAD-DivisionRS@pbcgov.org.

Submission Deadlines:

The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than 3 business days before the hearing.

Order of Proceedings:

Matters involving parties represented by counsel will generally be heard before other matters.

Continuance Procedure:

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. 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).

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. 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).

Cancelling Hearings:

You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately. You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

UMC Cancellations: Any party wishing to cancel their hearing scheduled on the Court's UMC Calendar may do so by using the online scheduling system. The Court does not cancel UMC hearings for the moving party. It is the responsibility of the moving party to file a Notice of Cancellation and cancel their hearing via the online scheduling system. You do not need to contact the court when cancelling a UMC hearing.

Special Set Cancellations: Any party wishing to cancel their special set hearing may do so by sending an email to CAD-DivisionRS@pbcgov.org. The email must contain a case number, date and time of the hearing you wish to cancel. The moving party must also file a notice of cancellation on the case.

Other Scheduling Procedures

IMPORTANT

Motions for Summary Judgment, Damages Hearings, Eviction matters, Claims of Exemption from Garnishment Hearings and/or any other evidentiary type matters requiring witness testimony will NOT be heard at UMC, and are subject to cancellation if they are scheduled.

Abandoned Motions

Motions must be set for hearing within 30 days of the date they are filed and the hearing must take place within 60 days of the date they are filed. Motions pending for more than 30 days without a hearing scheduled will be deemed abandoned and may be denied.

Evictions

The Court will hear Mediations and Motions to Determine Rent IN PERSON. These Hearings will be set every week alternating between Wednesdays and Fridays.

Any answers/letters from Defendants should include the Case Number, Defendant's name, phone number and email address. Cases may be dismissed for lack of prosecution if not acted upon by the Plaintiff/Landlord upon the Court's review of the case file.

Commercial Eviction Motions can be set by the parties using online scheduling, or upon request to the Court.

Motions for Attorney Fees

The Court utilizes a preliminary order with instructions to be followed in advance of the hearing. All Motions for attorney's fees and/or costs shall attach a document detailing the time records and requested rate(s). Once there is full compliance with the Preliminary Order and the parties have mediated the attorney fee issue the moving party may request the time for the hearing with the Judicial Assistant via telephone or email.

Non-Jury and Jury Trials

Non-Jury Trials are set by the Court with attached information regarding mediation and uniform pretrial procedures. Jury Trials are set by the Court in an "Order Setting Jury Trial and Case Management Conference Directing Pretrial and Mediation Procedures". If the case settles prior to the Trial date notify the Court by contacting the JA. A written confirmation of the settlement agreement must be filed with the Court with a copy to opposing party.

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C. Remote Appearance

Remote Appearance Procedure:

Any objection to the use of communication technology must be filed no later than insert deadline.

The following Court events are held by Zoom:

• UMC hearings (10 min. or less)
• Special set, non-evidentiary hearings 30 minutes or less
• Case Management Conferences/Lack of Prosecution Hearings
• Calendar Call Hearings

The following Court events are held in-person:*

• Evidentiary hearings
• Special set hearings longer than 30 minutes
• Trials and final hearings
• Evictions
• Pre-trial conferences

*Footnote 1:Parties may only appear by Zoom for these proceedings if extenuating circumstances are present. All parties must agree. Please do not call or email the Judicial Assistant about Zoom without reading these instructions. If all parties agree, please 1) file an agreed motion citing the extenuating circumstance that requires Zoom appearance; and 2) upload a proposed order in sufficient time before the hearing.

When in doubt, to avoid confusion, please adhere to the most recent Notice of Hearing from the moving party or the Court.

Persons interested in listening to the Court events may contact the Court's Public Information Office, Debra Oats, at (561) 355-4495 or (561) 644-0054 to obtain an access line.

Platform Used:

The court uses Zoom for remote appearances.

Platform Meeting ID#:

Division RS ZOOM Information

Meeting Link: Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 876 7484 9087

For appearance via telephone:

• US Toll-free 877-853-5257
• US Toll-free 888-475-4499

Enter Meeting ID 876 7484 9087

Requirements:

• Requests for remote appearance must be submitted 5 days prior to the hearing.
• Certain hearings are eligible for remote appearance. These include UMC, CMC, Calendar Calls, 30 minutes or less.
• Any person appearing remotely must be in a private location that is quiet and free from distractions. Under no circumstances will a participant be permitted to appear remotely from a moving vehicle.
• Any person appearing remotely must dress and behave professionally in the same manner as if physically present in the courtroom.
• Any person appearing remotely must enable the person's camera when joining the proceeding and keep the camera turned on until instructed otherwise by the court.
• Any person appearing remotely must mute the person's microphone when joining the proceeding and keep the microphone turned off until instructed otherwise by the court.
• If a witness appears remotely, the party calling the witness must ensure the witness has a functioning camera and microphone and has tested the internet connection before the hearing. The oath will be administered in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530.

Technology Needs:

All participants in a remote hearing must have a computer or cell phone equiped with camera and Zoom platform.

Witnesses located outside of the state will need to file a motion to appear by Zoom.

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D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Format:

All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter either (1) certifying that all parties agree to the order or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.

Submission Method:

All proposed orders must be submitted to the court by the proposed order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Proposed Orders

All represented parties and parties registered for eservice shall Court's Online Services (OLS) to upload any proposed order(s). All submissions must include as an attachment the relevant and/or supporting document(s) being approved/considered, and must be formatted in conformity with Local Rules and Rules of Judicial Administration. The submission must indicate whether the order is agreed/unopposed and the date of hearing if applicable. Any order not in compliance will be rejected. Any affidavits or supporting documents for the Court to review must be e-filed with the Clerk and then submitted as attachments to the order, as filings take up to 3 days to appear on the docket. (Or, submit the judgment after the supporting document(s) appear on the docket).

Deadline for Submissions:

Proposed orders must be submitted no later than 3 days after any hearing.

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E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents

When Required:

Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court for any hearing or trial at least 3 days before the hearing.

Submission Method:

Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court by e-mail to CAD-DivisionRS@pbcgov.org.

Deadline for Submissions:

Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court no later than 3 days before any hearing or trial.

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F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters

Requirements:

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.

Emergency Motions must be filed with the Clerk of Courts before submitting to the Judge for review.

Scheduling:

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.

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G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings

Submission Method:

Submit all exhibits electronically by e-mail to CAD-DivisionRS@pbcgov.org.

Format:

Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: Petitioner/Plaintiff or Defendant along with the Case Number.

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.

Deadline for Submissions:

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H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences

Case Management Conference (CMC):

Any party may request a CMC when a case requires.

Unless excused by the court in advance, all CMCs are mandatory for attorneys and self-represented litigants. Parties represented by counsel are not required to appear at a CMC.

DCM Case Management Conferences

1. DCM conferences may set on the Court's UMC Calendar Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
2. DCM Case Management Conferences Are Required for Trial Continuances.

Important note: these DCM conference timeslots are for scheduling DCM case management conferences only. All other motions that are appropriate for UMC (i.e., non-evidentiary motions that can be handled in 10 minutes or less) must be set on uniform motion calendar for hearing.

Status Conference:

Any party may request a status conference when a case requires.

Requirements:

Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.

Scheduling:

If the court grants the request for a CMC or status conference, the moving party must schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform.

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I. Setting Case for Trial

Procedure:

File a notice for trial to set the case for trial and the court will set for a hearing on party's notice.

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J. Other Division Procedures

ADA Accommodations:

If you need an ADA accommodation, please call (561) 355-4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1‐800‐955‐8771. You can also fax (561) 656‐7662, or e‐mail ADA@pbcgov.org. Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the Circuit ADA web page.

Interpreter Requests:

If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, it is your responsibility to bring one with you at all hearings.

Professionalism and Civility

The Court adheres to the Standards of Professional Courtesy and Civility endorsed by the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. A lack of civility and courtesy will not be tolerated.

Miscellaneous

Unilaterally Set Hearings - Any party may unilaterally set a hearing if the opposing party does not respond after a good faith effort has been made in accordance with Local Rule No. 4.

Pro Se litigants that have access to email are required to fill out and file with the Clerk an email designation form. This will allow the Court to submit orders to the parties via email instead of sending in the U.S. Postal Service which will greatly reduce the time for the parties' communication with each other and the Court. Please see the Clerk's Website for instructions for e-filing.