Beginning December 11, 2026 all Calendar Calls will be via ZOOM. Orders will be sent out for the upcoming Calendar Call set on December 11, 2026 for all OPEN cases, if you do not receive an order please contact the division at CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org
Division AA will continue normal operations pending assignment of a Circuit Judge to the division. Senior Judges and other divisional judges will continue to cover all hearings and trials and matters will continue to be set on the docket and scheduled. Additional UMC dates have been released in OLS and are available for scheduling. All requests for special set hearings, case management conferences, or other scheduling matters should be sent to the Divisional CAD email CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org. Please review the updated divisional instructions below for additional information regarding scheduling and procedures for Division AA.
Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 10/28/2026
205 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 10.1213
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
- The best way to contact the Judicial Assistant is via email to CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org
- When the judicial assistant is out of the office, there will be an alternate contact for immediate assistance.
- All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org, the dedicated divisional 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., 2026CA000111 – Smith v. Jones – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
- Unless otherwise specifically directed by the Court, communication with chambers on case-related matters is limited to scheduling hearings and related issues.
- All communications must be via email to CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org, with all parties copied and otherwise in accord with the instructions on setting hearings set forth below. The Court does not accept ex parte communications via email or by telephone. The judicial assistant will direct anyone who contacts chambers ex parte to send an e-mail with all parties copied.
- The judicial assistant cannot give legal advice regarding how to proceed with your case. All substantive issues are handled by the Court via motion. Please file a motion and set the appropriate hearing. Do not contact the judicial assistant about any substantive matters.
- Self-represented (pro se) parties needing assistance can contact the Self-Help Center at (561) 355-6781 located on the first floor of the Main West Palm Beach Courthouse or visit the self-service center in the clerk's office in the Satellite Courthouses.
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.
Do not include the court’s divisional e-mail on contentious, back-and-forth e-mail exchanges between parties. This type of communication will not be considered by the Court. Substantive matters are handled by properly filed motions and not via e-mail. If you are requested to remove the court’s e-mail address from your e-mail thread, please do so promptly.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information:
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
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 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
B. Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
Case Management Conferences (CMC):
Any Party may request a CMC when a case requires.
The court strongly encourages the early use of CMCs in more complex cases, multiple-party litigation, or any case that might benefit from court intervention. Cases assigned to the complex track will be set for routine case management conferences.
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.
Any request for a CMC or status conference must articulate the reasons for the necessity of the conference.
Trials
Trials are conducted Monday through Thursday. Fridays are reserved for special set hearings.
Division AA Calendar call is no longer by E-Calendar Call, Calendar Call, beginning December 11, 2026 will be held on ZOOM at 9:00 A.M
Pursuant to the 15th Judicial Circuit's Administrative Order 3.110 (as amended 12/24) at the time of filing cases that are not exempt under the administrative order will be automatically designated to one of three tracks. Cases will receive one of the three Uniform Differentiated Case Management Order and Order Setting Trial (DCM) orders below:
- The General Track (DCMGJT) is for JURY TRIALS. Time to disposition is within 18 months.
- The Streamlined Track (DCMSNT) is for NON-JURY TRIALS. Time to disposition is within 12 months.
- The Expedited Track (DCMENT) is for FORECLOSURE TRIALS. Time to disposition is within 12 months.
- The Complex Track. Cases will not be automatically designated as complex. A motion must be filed and set for hearing. The Court will determine if a case is eligible to be designated as complex. Time to disposition is within 30 months.
Cases will be reassigned tracks only under very limited circumstances. Re-designation is not for modifying deadlines or obtaining continuances. See Part 4 of Administrative Order 3.110.
THE DCM ORDER IS YOUR TRIAL ORDER. Notices for trial are not necessary.
Every DCMO contains a schedule with a calendar call date and pretrial deadlines. These are firm deadlines. Cases must be ready for trial by the calendar call date.
Deadlines may be modified by agreement of the parties with submission of an agreed case management order as long as the case remains on the same assigned trial docket.
If parties disagree about deadlines or the new deadlines take the case out of the assigned trial docket, a hearing must be set.
Prior to calendar call, counsel must have:
- participated in mediation,
- held a pretrial conference,
- exchanged exhibit and witness lists,
- agreed on the length of time the trial will take, including jury selection where applicable,
- agreed on time periods during the upcoming trial docket when all counsel are available,
- filed the pretrial stipulation,
- collaborated on proposed jury instructions, providing trial clerk with a single copy, noting the parties differences, if any, on any specific provision,
- pre-marked the exhibits in accordance with instructions of the clerk and comptroller, and
- scheduled for hearing prior to trial any motion in limine or other pretrial motion.
Uniform Motion Calendar
Uniform Motion Calendar ("UMC") hearings are held Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 8:30 A.M. REMOTELY (via the ZOOM platform) and are set through Court Online Services. Scheduling is solely between the parties. Please do not call the Judicial Assistant to schedule or cancel a UMC hearing.
UMC is strictly for non-evidentiary motions which can be heard in a total of 10 minutes (5 minutes per side). Motions for attorney's fees, summary judgment, and any evidentiary matters are NOT appropriate for UMC and should be specially set for hearing. Please Note: Default Final Judgments and uncontested Motions for Summary Judgment may be set on the Uniform Motion Calendar.
A separate motion is not required. Before scheduling, attorneys/pro se parties must first file a motion and notice of hearing (including complete ZOOM information on the Notice) with the Clerk's office and give opposing side(s) at least five (5) business days' notice, unless the parties have agreed to the short notice. Attorneys should always attempt to clear a date chosen with opposing counsel. Mandatory compliance with Local Rule #4 is strictly enforced. Attorneys are required to "make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another and engage in reasonable compromises to resolve or narrow the disputes before seeking court intervention." Prior to scheduling, the "attorney noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter and shall certify to the Court the good faith attempt to resolve."
The Court reviews all motions prior to the hearing. A copy of the Notice of Hearing and the Motion or other pertinent pleadings must be sent to chambers in advance, via regular mail, express mail or courier. Proposed Orders shall be uploaded to the online system AFTER the hearing takes place. Do not submit proposed orders in advance of the hearing to the Online Scheduling System. They will be rejected and returned unsigned.
Cancellation of UMC Hearings
To cancel a hearing scheduled for UMC, the scheduling attorney's office must file a Notice of Cancellation and submit it to the Court via CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org. In addition, that attorney's office must log in to the 15th Judicial Circuit's Online Scheduling System, select "Uniform Motion Calendar "UMC" Scheduling; select "Cancel Hearings" and follow the directions on the screen.
Specially Set Hearings
All emails requesting hearing time must include:: case number and style, specific motion(s) requesting to be heard, amount of time being requested, if the hearing will be evidentiary, the names and contact information for all parties, and must note if the matter is on a trial docket.
The judicial assistant will provide five dates of availability. If the parties cannot agree on any of those dates, the Court will unilaterally set the matter for hearing.
15 and 30 Minute Hearings: Special Set Hearing time is available through the Court's Online Services in blocks of 15 and 30 minutes. If agreeable hearing time is unavailable on OLS, the parties shall email the judicial assistant CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org requesting available dates. Parties are not permitted to stack hearing times on OLS to create a hearing slot that is more than 30 minutes.
Greater than 30 Minute Hearings: Hearings of more than 30 minutes must be scheduled by e-mailing the judicial assistant at CAD-CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org and copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant. Parties should not copy the court on their conferral emails when scheduling a hearing. Copy the court only on the request for dates and once the parties have agreed on a date. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2026CA000111 – Smith v. Jones – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Special Set Hearings may not be cancelled without prior permission.
Hearings will be on ZOOM unless all parties agree to a live hearing. The Order setting hearing should reflect whether it will be live or on ZOOM.
Notices of Hearing:
- For Hearings longer than 30 minutes, a notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
- When special set hearings are scheduled through OLS, an order setting hearing is automatically generated for entry by the court.
- UMC hearings set through OLS do not automatically generate orders, so notices must be served by the setting party.
- A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the division's Zoom information.
- 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.
- When scheduling hearings through OLS please include the docket entry number of the motion to be heard.
Meet and Confer Required
- To eliminate unnecessary hearings, mandatory compliance with Rule 1.202 and Local Rule #4 (PDF) is strictly enforced. Before filing a non-dispositive motion, movants must confer with opposing parties in a good faith effort to resolve the issues raised in the motion. Attorneys must "make reasonable efforts to actually speak to one another and engage in reasonable compromises to resolve or narrow the disputes before seeking court intervention." Prior to filing, the "attorney noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter and shall certify to the Court the good faith attempt to resolve." Rule 1.202(b)
- All hearing notices must include a certificate of conferral certifying that counsel for the movant has discussed the relief requested with opposing counsel, or certify that the opposing party did not respond, describing with particularity all of the efforts undertaken to accomplish dialogue with the opposing party prior to filing the motion, or that the rules do not apply to their motion. Rule 1.202
- In addition, the parties should reconfer after all responses and replies have been filed to ensure that only issues requiring Court resolution are set for hearing.
- Failure to comply with the requirements of Rule 1.202 and Local Rule 4 may result in sanctions against the non-compliant party, including denial of the motion without prejudice. Rule 1.202(d)
Submission Deadlines:
The court must receive any materials for the hearing no later than three (3) business days before the hearing. Hearing materials may be sent by mail or delivered to the Judge's mail box at the security desk.
Order of Proceedings:
Matters will generally be heard in the order in which they appear on the docket, but the court reserves the right to call matters on UMC out of order.
Continuance Procedure:
Motions for continuance must state with specificity:
- the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant;
- whether the motion is opposed;
- 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
- 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).
C. Remote Appearance
Remote Electronic Appearance Procedure:
The court maintains both a live and virtual courtroom, allowing parties to appear either in person or remotely for non-evidentiary hearings, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion if the hearing has been set as a live hearing. In emergencies, the party requesting a remote proceeding must immediately file a motion and contact the Judicial Assistant at CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org so the matter may be promptly addressed.
Evidentiary hearings, trials, and hearings in Excess of 60 minutes are in person, though witnesses may appear via ZOOM by proper motion or agreement of all parties, such that all parties appear live in court. Requests for a Hybrid hearing must be made by a properly filed motion.
Show Cause hearings that expressly require in-person attendance in the Order will not be heard via ZOOM
Most SPECIAL SET hearings as agreed to by the parties are conducted remotely using the ZOOM platform. If a live, in-person appearance is preferred, all parties must agree, and that agreement must be reflected in the order setting the hearing.
All UMC hearings are conducted remotely via Zoom or by telephone conference.
Motions for trial testimony by Zoom must be filed before the pre-trial conference, though the parties can agree to it at any time.
Court reporters must be present in the courtroom for in-person hearings. The court does not allow court reporters to appear by Zoom for matters set for in-person hearings because microphone placement is difficult.
Platform Used:
The court uses Zoom for remote hearings.
Anyone appearing remotely must be in a private, quiet location 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, as if physically present in the courtroom.
Any person appearing remotely must mute their microphone when joining the proceeding and keep it off until the court instructs otherwise.
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.
Platform Meeting ID#:
Zoom Meeting Information for UMC Hearings and ZOOM Calendar Call
Meeting Link: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 882 1173 5733
(NO PASSCODE REQUIRED)
Dial by your location:
US Toll-free (877) 853-5257
US Toll-free (888) 475-4499
Zoom Meeting Information for Special Set Hearings
Meeting Link: Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 872 4525 1138
(NO PASSCODE REQUIRED)
Dial by your location:
US Toll-free (877) 853-5257
US Toll-free (888) 475-4499
D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Format:
Mandatory Compliance with Administrative Order 3.204 (PDF)-9/08
All orders for dismissal, final judgments (summary, default or consent), amended final judgments, notices of voluntary dismissals, orders vacating final judgments, orders granting motion to amend final judgment, and any other closing documents must be in compliance with Supreme Court Order no. SC13-2384 amendments to Florida rule of judicial administration 2.520 requiring a 3 x 3 inch available space in the right upper hand corner; one inch margin on all sides of documents; and pages must be consecutively numbered.
Submission Method:
Submission of Orders
ALL PROPOSED ORDERS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE ONLINE SYSTEM FOR ENTRY. NO orders are entered with an ink signature any longer. Please do not mail in hard copies or Email an attached proposed order. They cannot be entered.
Proposed Orders submitted to the Court for entry MUST NOT have any Law Firm location information included in the Order (as a footer or anywhere else on the proposed order).
THERE SHOULD BE NO FORMATTED SIGNATURE BLOCK INSERTED ANYWHERE IN THE ORDER
Deadline for Submissions:
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing, unless another time is given by the court following a hearing. The court reserves the right to require matters be reset for hearing if orders are not timely submitted.
Agreed Orders
If a Motion is resolved prior to hearing, an Agreed Order must be submitted via the Court Online Services. The Order must say "Agreed Order on (Title of Motion)". Please include a cover letter (as a supporting document) to the Judge indicating that all parties have reviewed and agreed to the language of the proposed Agreed Order. The names, email and mailing addresses of all persons receiving copies must appear in the Agreed Order, pursuant to Administrative Order 2.306 (PDF).
Please note: Do not submit duplicate Orders to the ONLINE SYSTEM. Do not mail into the Court hard copies of proposed Orders for entry.
Orders Submitted Following a Hearing
If the Court directs an attorney to prepare and submit an Order after a hearing, the Order must state the date the hearing was held. All parties must have reviewed the Order before it is submitted to the Court Online Services. Please include a cover letter (as a supporting document) stating that all parties have reviewed the Order and are in agreement with the form of the Order. If parties are not in agreement with the form of the Order, that must be noted in the cover letter to the Judge. Parties may submit competing Orders and the Judge will sign the Order which reflects the Court's ruling (when uploading the order, note "competing order" in the comments section". DO NOT UPLOAD A PROPOSED ORDER UNTIL AFTER THE HEARING HAS OCCURRED AND DO NOT UPLOAD DUPLICATE ORDERS.
E-Service for Proposed Orders
Division AA electronically serves orders to attorneys/parties that have registered their primary and secondary e-mail addresses with the 15th Circuit. Please ensure that you have registered for judicial e-service with Court Online Services. NOTE: THE FILING OF A "NOTICE OF E-MAIL DESIGNATION DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR JUDICIAL E-SERVICE. YOU MUST REGISTER WITH THE 15TH CIRCUIT'S ONLINE SERVICES. Failure to register may result in orders being sent by default to the email address on file with the Florida Bar. Also see Administrative Order 2.312-11/14 as to Electronic Filing of Documents.
E. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Requirements
Requests for Emergency Hearing
Pursuant to Administrative Order 3.206, the judge will decide whether the reasons set forth in a motion for emergency hearing constitute an emergency. If the Judge determines that the motion does allege a bona fide emergency, he will take whatever action he deems appropriate, including entry of an ex-parte order if permissible and warranted under the law.
F. Forms
Forms are found on the Division AA Forms and Orders page.
G. Other Division Procedures
ADA Accommodations:
If you need an ADA accommodation, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (561) 355-4380 or email ADA@pbcgov.org.
Information on ADA accommodations can be found on the Court's ADA Information page.
Interpreter Requests:
In civil cases, the parties are responsible for bringing their own interpreter.
Other Division Procedures:
If a Case Management Conference is needed by the parties, hearings are held every other week on Monday. After the Motion / Pleading is Filed and appearing with a docket entry number (DIN) in the Court File, Counsel must E-mail CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org requesting a Case Management Conference hearing time. The email requesting hearing time must be copied to ALL PARTIES and include the following information:
In the Subject Line of the Email: CASE NAME and CASE NUMBER.
Stipulations for Substitution of Counsel
Stipulations for substitution of counsel must comply with Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505(e). The written consent of the client must be included. Submit the Order for signature by the Judge via the Online Scheduling System and attach a copy of the signed stipulation and written client consent.
Withdrawal of Counsel
All Motions to Withdraw must be set for a UMC hearing, with proper notice to the client, in accordance with Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505(f)(i), and all parties/attorneys.
Ex-Parte Motions to Compel Discovery
No hearing is necessary if the Motion is in compliance with A.O. 3.202. The moving attorney must submit the Order for signature by the Judge and a copy of the motion as an attachment via the Online Scheduling System.
Settlement or Dismissal of Cases
If a case settles or is voluntarily dismissed and there are future hearings or a trial scheduled on the Court's docket, EMAIL the Judicial Assistant immediately at CAD-DivisionAA@pbcgov.org to inform her of same, to allow the Court to free up hearing/trial time for other cases. Of course, that notification must be followed up by necessary and appropriate formal paperwork. Submit Orders of Dismissal of Cases on the Online Scheduling System.
Rehearing or Relief-from-Judgment Motions
Post-judgment rehearing or relief motions, including motions for reconsideration, motions for clarification, and motions for new trial, may not be set for hearing online. File the original with the Clerk and provide a copy with supporting authority to the judicial assistant via U.S. mail for review by the judge.
Mandatory Compliance with Administrative Order 3.204-9/08 & Local Rule No. 3
All orders for dismissal, final judgments (summary, default or consent), amended final judgments, notices of voluntary dismissals, orders vacating final judgments, orders granting motion to amend final judgment, and any other closing documents must be in compliance with Supreme Court Order no. SC13-2384 amendments to Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.520 requiring a 3 x 3 inch available space in the right upper hand corner; one inch margin on all sides of documents; and pages must be consecutively numbered.