Judge Betsy Benson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
All filings
- Mail • Optional
Motion
- 1 copy • Email • If Filed Less Than Five Days Before Hearing
Motion For Attorney Fees
- 1 copy • Upon Filing
Notice For Trial
- 1 copy • Mail • Upon Filing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If the court requests proposed orders from the parties, please submit via email (div56@17th.flcourts.org) in word format.
Summary: Proposed orders submitted by email must be in Word format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements10 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Coordination with all parties regarding hearing dates and times is mandatory. The notice of hearing shall certify that all parties were consulted and agreed to the hearing time.
Summary: The notice of hearing must certify that all parties were consulted and agreed to the hearing time.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Please set a hearing and Notice the Client, if an individual. Motions To Withdraw require the client's contact information, including email address, phone number, and physical address, within the text of the motion, as well as notice to the client.
Summary: Motions to withdraw must set a hearing, notice the client, and include the client's email address, phone number, and physical address within the text of the motion.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
If the party is a corporation, Florida law requires that the corporation be represented by an attorney. Please put the following language in an Order Allowing Withdrawal from a Corporate Client: ALL FUTURE PLEADINGS FOR (INSERT FORMER CORPORATE CLIENT'S NAME(S) HERE), SHALL BE SERVED UPON (PUT NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF FORMER CORPORATE CLIENT). FAILURE TO TIMELY RETAIN NEW COUNSEL WITHIN TWENTY DAYS OF THIS DATE MAY RESULT IN THE ENTRY OF A DEFAULT OR THE STRIKING OF PLEADINGS.
Summary: An order allowing withdrawal from a corporate client must include the specified language warning that failure to retain new counsel within twenty days may result in default or striking of pleadings.
Document Type
Order Allowing Withdrawal Corporate Client
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Broward County Administrative Order 2026-03-Gen requires the following language on all Motions written with artificial intelligence assistance: The undersigned hereby certifies that generative artificial intelligence was used in the preparation of this submission. The undersigned certifies that s/he has read and verified the accuracy of every citation to the law and/or the record, and the accuracy of any language drafted by generative artificial intelligence, including quotations, citations, paraphrased assertions, facts, and legal analysis, and accepts full responsibility for the contents of this submission.
Summary: All motions drafted with generative AI assistance must include the required certification language verifying all citations and AI-drafted content, per Administrative Order 2026-03-Gen.
Document Type
Motion
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Please e-file a Consent to Withdraw signed by your client(s) along with a proposed Order which much include the following language: ALL FUTURE PLEADINGS FOR (INSERT FORMER CLIENT'S NAME(S) HERE), SHALL BE SERVED UPON (PUT NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF FORMER CLIENT).
Summary: A motion to withdraw must be e-filed with a client-signed Consent to Withdraw and a proposed order containing the specified service-on-former-client language.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If Local Rule 11 is triggered, please use the standard form attached.
Summary: Motions to compel discovery that trigger Local Rule 11 must use the court's standard form.
Document Type
Motion To Compel Discovery
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If you set a hearing via zoom, please use the following links for Division 56 and include the link in the Notice Setting Hearing:
Summary: A notice setting a Zoom hearing must include the Division 56 Zoom meeting link.
Document Type
Notice Setting Hearing
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If a matter is canceled for any reason, please file a Notice of Cancellation and cancel the matter on the Court Management System. If you are unable to cancel on CMS, please email us at div56@17th.flcourts.org and ask us to do so for you. Please copy the other side on all emails to us. Please let any court reporter know of the cancellation. Please make sure that pro se parties are informed regarding cancellations.
Summary: When a matter is canceled, a Notice of Cancellation must be filed and the matter canceled on CMS (or chambers emailed if unable), and any court reporter and pro se parties must be informed.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If applicable, please make sure the Order is titled 'Agreed' and state that the parties are in agreement in the body of the Order.
Summary: Agreed orders must be titled 'Agreed' and state in the body that the parties are in agreement.
Document Type
Agreed Order
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Please indicate bench trial or trial by jury.
Summary: A Notice for Trial must indicate whether the case is set for a bench trial or a jury trial.
Document Type
Notice For Trial
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Emergency motions must be filed with the Clerk and emailed to the division, and will not be addressed unless they are compliant ex parte motions or the other side is copied on the email.
Emergency Motions and other urgent matters should be filed with the Clerk and sent to div56@17th.flcourts.org. Please note that the Motion will not be addressed unless it is an ex parte motion in compliance with the rules, or the other side is copied on the email.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Proposed orders requested by the court must be submitted by email to the division email address with the other side copied.
If the court requests proposed orders from the parties, please submit via email (div56@17th.flcourts.org) in word format. Please copy the other side on all emails to us or we will not be able to respond to your inquiry.
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Page 1 | Submission of Orders - Proposed Orders
When submitting orders through e-orders, supporting affidavits/documents and the motion must be attached, because the Judge cannot sign an order online unless the motion has been docketed with the Clerk.
Please attach a copy of any affidavits or documents in support of the motion on the system. The Judge cannot sign Orders online unless the Motion (if required), has been docketed with the Clerk. Please attach the motion as a supporting document as you may have filed the motion on line but the clerk may not have docketed it.
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Page 1 | Submission of Orders - Supporting Affidavits
Hard copies of documents submitted to the Court cannot be entered into the e-filing system.
Hard copies of documents submitted to the Court cannot be entered into the e-filing system.
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Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Orders (except proposed orders) may be submitted through the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit's online e-orders system.
Judge Benson participates in the e-orders program. With the exception of proposed Orders as outlined below, Orders may be submitted through the online e-filing system, at the following link: http://www.17th.flcourts.org/index.php/self-help/eorders
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Page 1 | Submission of Orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Evidence to be introduced at a remote hearing or trial must be filed under a Notice of Filing at least five days in advance.
If evidence is sought to be introduced at a remote hearing or trial, please file the evidence in the court file under a Notice of Filing at least five days in advance of the hearing or bench trial.
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Page 1 | Remote Appearances
Exhibits for evidentiary hearings must be filed with a Notice of Filing at least five days in advance, with a copy to the other side.
As to evidentiary hearings, please file the exhibits with a Notice of Filing in the court file at least five days in advance, with a copy to the other side.
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Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
For summary judgment special set hearings, the notice of hearing, motion, and case law relied upon must be filed on the eportal at least 10 business days before the hearing.
A copy of the notice of hearing, motion and case law on which you intend to rely shall be filed on the eportal at least ten (10) business days prior to the scheduled hearing date.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Hearing Procedures - Special Set Hearings
All motions must be filed before a hearing on them may be scheduled.
All motions must be filed prior to scheduling hearings.
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Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy Copy Requirements
The moving party on an attorney's fees/costs motion must file the motion and send a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
The moving party must file a Motion and send a copy to the Judicial Assistant.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions for Attorney's Fees/Costs
If a motion is filed less than five days before the hearing, a copy must be emailed to the division at div56@17th.flcourts.org.
If you file a Motion less than five days before the hearing, please send us a copy at div56@17th.flcourts.org.
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Page 1 | Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
A copy of the Notice for Trial must be mailed or delivered to Judicial Assistant Ms. Mosley when the notice is filed.
When filing a Notice for Trial, please mail or deliver a copy of the Notice for Trial to Ms. Mosley as addressed above.
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Page 1 | Notices for Trial
Courtesy copies are optional and may be sent by mail or email to the division's physical address or div56@17th.flcourts.org, with the other side copied.
You are free to send us courtesy copies by mail, but we also accept courtesy copies via electronic mail. Our physical address is: Judge Betsy Benson, Broward County Courthouse, West Building, 201 SE 6th Street, Suite 13131, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Our electronic email is: div56@17th.flcourts.org. Please make sure you copy the other side on all communications to us or we cannot respond or review.
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Page 1 | Courtesy Copies
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Motions to continue or for extension of time are not self-executing; they must be heard promptly or an agreed order submitted before the hearing or trial.
Please note that Motions to Continue and Motions for Extension of Time do not operate as an Order Granting same. These matters must be heard in a timely manner, or an Agreed Order submitted prior to the hearing or trial.
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Page 1 | Continuance
A motion to continue will not be heard at the time of trial without permission of the Court.
Please note that a Motion to Continue will not be heard at the time of trial without permission of the Court.
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Page 1 | Setting Case for Trial
Chambers Communication Rules
Court personnel are not permitted to relay ex parte information to the Court, so communications must be made by email copying the other side.
Please note that court personnel are not permitted to relay ex-parte information to the Court.
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Page 1 | Communicating with us
Requests for in-person hearings must be emailed to the division at least five days before the hearing, copying the other side.
If you prefer to have your matter addressed at the courthouse, please email us (copy the other side), at div56@17th.flcourts.org with your request, at least five days before the hearing.
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Page 1 | Introduction
Questions must be emailed to div56@17th.flcourts.org with the other side copied, and chambers only addresses scheduling matters on the court's docket.
Please email us, and copy the other side, if you have questions at div56@17th.flcourts.org. Please copy the opposing party to insure a prompt response. Please note that we are only available for issues regarding scheduling matters on the court's docket.
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Page 1 | Communicating with us
Issues with remote appearance must be raised by email to the division at least ten days in advance, with the other side copied.
If there are any issues with remote appearance, please contact us at least ten days in advance. You can email your request to div56@17th.flcourts.org. Please note that we cannot respond if the other side is not copied on the email.
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Page 1 | Remote Appearances
Case law a party intends to rely on at hearing must be emailed to the division at least two days in advance.
Please submit any law you intend to rely on by email to div56@17th.flcourts.org at least two days in advance of the hearing.
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Page 1 | Noticing
Chambers need only be contacted about cancellation if the case is resolved less than 48 hours before the hearing.
There is no need to contact us for cancellation unless the case is resolved less than 48 hours before the hearing.
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Page 1 | Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
When a document reflecting case resolution is filed, the court automatically dismisses the action and cancels all scheduled matters, so no contact with chambers is needed.
We automatically cancel all currently scheduled matters when a case is resolved. When a Notice of Settlement, Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, Confession of Judgment, Mediation Report Noting Settlement, or any other document reflecting resolution of the case is filed, the Court dismisses the action, retains jurisdiction, and cancels all currently scheduled matters automatically. There is no need to contact us and ask that matters be canceled.
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Page 1 | Motions - Automatic Cancellation When Case Resolved
Chambers can be reached at (954) 831-7776, but non-urgent inquiries involving both parties will be redirected to email with the other side copied.
Our phone number is (954) 831-7776 and you are welcome to call. If you call us and the inquiry is not urgent, and involves both parties, we will direct you to email us and copy the other side on the email.
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Page 1 | Communicating with us