Judge Michele Towbin Singer
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- 1 copy
Motion
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Motion For Rehearing
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Notice Of Change Of Plea
Court-wide- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Communication
Clerk
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements1 rule
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The signature line must be on the last page of the submission. Please verify that all email addresses are accurate.
Summary: Submitted agreed orders must have the signature line on the last page and accurate email addresses.
Document Filing Requirements11 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
If the client is not an individual, please include a statement that the entity must be represented by counsel who must file an appearance within 20 days from the date of this order or a default may be entered. The client's signature and consent is required in the motion.
Summary: Withdrawal orders for entity clients must state counsel must appear within 20 days or default may be entered; the motion to withdraw requires the client's signature and consent.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
For judgments on liquidated damages, the Court requires proof of service, evidence of the debt, the complaint, and notice of hearing for entry of judgment. Orders uploaded to CMS for signature shall include the Motion in supporting documents.
Summary: Judgments on liquidated damages require proof of service, evidence of the debt, the complaint, and notice of hearing; CMS orders must include the motion in supporting documents.
Document Type
Default Judgment
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
The moving party shall file a statement of material facts at the time of filing a motion for summary judgment as a separate filing.
Summary: A motion for summary judgment must be accompanied by a separately filed statement of material facts.
Document Type
Motion For Summary Judgment
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Orders After Hearing. The order must reflect the court's ruling at a previous hearing and the language is agreed to by all parties. The order must contain the date of hearing and type of motion.
Summary: Orders after hearing must reflect the court's ruling, be agreed to by all parties, and contain the hearing date and motion type.
Document Type
Agreed Order
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Be sure to mention in the notice that the hearing will be held via ZOOM Video Conference due to the COVID-19 situation, please remove the Courthouse address and Courtroom number and please provide the "Join ZOOM Meeting" link, the meeting ID, and phone numbers, including the "how to find your local phone number" link if the individual cannot appear through ZOOM video.
Summary: Notices of hearing must state the hearing will be via Zoom, remove the courthouse address and courtroom number, and include the Zoom link, meeting ID, and phone numbers.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
If the motion is GRANTED, the attorney withdrawing must upload a Proposed Order and the Proposed Order must include a paragraph that says: ALL FUTURE CORRESPONDENCE FOR [PARTY] SHALL BE MAILED TO: [NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND E-MAIL ADDRESS OF FORMER CLIENT]. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OBTAIN AN EMAIL ADDRESS OF FORMER CLIENT
Summary: Granted motions to withdraw require a Proposed Order containing the specified future-correspondence paragraph with the former client's contact information.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
If you are seeking liquidated damages and do not believe an evidentiary hearing is necessary and for judgments on liquidated damages, the Court requires: (a.) Submission of Proof of Service, evidence of the debt with Affidavit, the Complaint and Final Judgment. (A clerk's default is insufficient)
Summary: Judgments on liquidated damages require submission of proof of service, affidavit evidence of the debt, the complaint, and final judgment; a clerk's default is insufficient.
Document Type
Default Judgment
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
All PROPOSED ORDERS must be submitted through CMS with a cover sheet stating the parties DO NOT AGREE.
Summary: Non-agreed proposed orders must be submitted through CMS with a cover sheet stating the parties do not agree.
Document Type
Proposed Order
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
When sending electronically to the Court, make sure all supporting documents are attached, i.e., motion, default and proof of service. (A clerk's default is insufficient).
Summary: Electronic submissions for default final judgment must attach all supporting documents: motion, default, and proof of service (a clerk's default is insufficient).
Document Type
Default Final Judgment
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
To comply with the Local Rule 10(A), every party setting a motion for hearing shall execute the following certification: I hereby certify that, 1. I have made a good faith attempt to resolve this matter prior to my noticing this motion for hearing, and 2. The issues before the Court may be heard and resolved by the court within five (5) minutes.
Summary: Every party setting a motion for UMC hearing must execute a Local Rule 10(A) certification of good-faith resolution attempt and 5-minute suitability.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
The sender MUST certify the submitted order is agreed by selecting a specific category.
Summary: Agreed order submissions must certify agreement by selecting a specific category.
Document Type
Agreed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
No hard copies or drop-offs for UMC/Case Management/Special Set hearings unless the Court requests; all paperwork must be uploaded to CMS Supporting Documents at least 3 days before the hearing.
DO NOT send hard copies of Motions or Materials for UMC, Case Management Hearings or Special Set Hearing, unless specifically requested by the Court. ALL paperwork needs to be uploaded electronically through CMS "Supporting Documents", no paperwork should be DROPPED OFF in front of the Courthouse or at chambers mailbox. REMEMBER to upload it at least 3 days before the hearing.
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Page 1 | HEARING MATERIALS
All orders must be submitted electronically through CMS and must not be uploaded until after the hearing is held.
UPLOADING ORDERS ELECTRONICALLY: ALL ORDERS must be submitted electronically through the Local Broward Portal ("CMS"). Do NOT upload an order until AFTER the hearing is held.
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Page 1 | ORDERS
The joint pretrial stipulation must be e-filed.
A JOINT PRETRIAL STIPULATION MUST BE E-FILED
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Page 1 | CALENDAR CALLS
Hard copies of motions for UMC or Special Sets must not be sent; Division 21 is a paperless division.
Please Do NOT Send Hard Copies of Motions for UMC or Special Sets! Division (21) is a PAPERLESS Division.
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Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
Agreed orders must be submitted electronically and are generally processed within two business days.
All Agreed Orders must be submitted electronically and should be processed within two business days.
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Page 1 | ORDERS - ELECTRONIC AGREED ORDERS/JUDGMENTS
Self-represented parties may register for CMS via the Pro Se Registration Form at www.17th.flcourts.org and, once accepted, can view and schedule hearings.
If you represent yourself you can register for CMS by going to: www.17th.flcourts.org. 1. Self Help 2. Court Management System Help 3. CMS Manuals 3. New User 4. Prose Registration Form Fill out the request form and, when accepted, you can view and schedule hearings.
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Page 1 | Pro Se REGISTRATION FORM
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All documents must be filed with the Clerk via the portal and uploaded to Supporting Documents at least 3 days before upcoming hearings.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE FILED WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE VIA THE PORTAL AS WELL AS FILED IN SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 3 DAYS BEFORE UPCOMING HEARINGS.
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Page 1 | SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Motion calendar hearings must be scheduled at least 5 days in advance.
Any person scheduling a motion calendar shall set the same a minimum of five (5) days in advance of the hearing.
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Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
All evidence must be filed at least 3 days before an evidentiary hearing, pre-marked or date stamped with an index, with a joint index filed if possible.
At least three (3) days prior to an evidentiary hearing, counsel(s) shall file all evidence to be introduced. The exhibits should be pre-marked or date stamped with an index. Counsel(s)/parties SHALL make every effort to file a Joint Index with exhibits.
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Page 1 | EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS
Responses to minor settlement motions must be received by chambers at least 5 days before the hearing.
Any responses must be received by our office at least five (5) days before the hearing.
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Page 1 | PETITION FOR APPROVAL OF MINOR SETTLEMENT
Motions for summary judgment must be scheduled for hearing and heard prior to calendar call.
MUST be scheduled for hearing and heard prior to CALENDAR CALL, VII (d) (1).
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Page 1 | MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The nonmovant must serve a response at least 20 days before the summary judgment hearing.
Rule 1.510(5) requires no movant to serve a response at least 20 days before the time fixed for the hearing.
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Page 1 | MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Parties must not add Division 21 to the service list when e-filing documents with the Clerk's Office.
THIS IS A REMINDER: when filing any/all letters/documents/pleadings/etc. with the Clerk's Office, please DISCONTINUE adding Division 21 to the SERVICE LIST in the e-filing portal.
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Page 1 | E-FILING PORTAL
Summary judgment motions must be served at least 40 days before the hearing (Fla. R. Civ. P. 1.510(b)).
Rule 1.510(b), requires the motion be served at least 40 days before the time fixed for the hearing
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Page 1 | MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
In camera inspection documents must be emailed to div21@17th.flcourts.org and not uploaded to CMS, where the other side can see them.
Submit your documents by email to div21@17th.flcourts.org. If you upload the documents to CMS, the other side can see it.
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Page 1 | IN CAMERA INSPECTION OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Filing confidential pleadings requires scheduling a UMC hearing and obtaining a judge's order before filing the Notice of Confidential Information with the Clerk.
If you wish to file confidential pleadings, you must schedule a hearing on UMC, inform the Judge what documents need to be confidential, then the judge will issue an order notifying the clerk's office.
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Page 1 | CONFIDENTIAL PLEADINGS
Confidential paperwork for the judge to review must be emailed to div21@17th.flcourts.org.
Submit your documents by email to div21@17th.flcourts.org.
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Page 1 | CONFIDENTIAL PAPERWORK FOR THE JUDGE TO REVIEW
Filing Bundling Requirements
Do not transmit correspondence or motions together with an agreed order; the underlying motion must be served and filed before the order is submitted.
Do not electronically transmit any correspondence or motion with the Agreed Order. HOWEVER, motions must be served and filed prior to submission of the order. See Fla. R. Civ .P 1.100 (b).
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Page 1 | ORDERS - ELECTRONIC AGREED ORDERS/JUDGMENTS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before setting a matter on UMC, the noticing party must attempt to resolve it by direct communication with all parties and certify the good-faith attempt.
Prior to setting any matter on uniform motion calendar, the party or parties noticing the motion shall attempt to resolve the matter by direct communication with all parties, and shall also certify a good faith attempt to resolve or narrow the issues contained in the motion.
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Page 1 | UNIFORM MOTION CALENDAR
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
All motions to continue trial must be set for a UMC hearing; witness issues alone are insufficient grounds.
ALL motions to continue trial must be set for a hearing on UMC. Please Note: witness issues alone are insufficient grounds to continue trial.
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Page 1 | MOTION FOR CONTINUANCES
Ex parte motions may not be used for requests to extend time (Local Rule 10A discovery orders).
If there has been a request for an extension of time, an ex parte motion may not be utilized.
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Page 1 | ORDERS - LOCAL RULE 10A DISCOVERY ORDERS
Chambers Communication Rules
Noticing parties must timely cancel hearings online and email div21 a copy of the Notice of Cancellation; JA-cancelled hearings require the notice to be both emailed and e-filed.
It is the responsibility of the NOTICING PARTIES TO TIMELY CANCEL A HEARING through the Online Scheduling System and TIMELY NOTIFY THE COURT of a cancellation. Filing a Notice of Cancellation, without also canceling the Online Scheduling System, is insufficient; if you do not cancel the hearing online, that time will not be available online for others to schedule their hearings. The Court is not notified by the Clerk of Court! If a hearing is cancelled, please send an email to div21@17th.flcourts.org, with the copy of the Notice of Cancellation. If the parties need the JA to cancel the hearing a notice of cancellation is REQUIRED to be emailed to the division as well as e-filed.
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Page 1 | NOTICE OF CANCELLATIONS FOR UMC AND SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
Parties must inform the court of competing orders, upload them back-to-back, and notify the division by email once both are uploaded.
THE PARTIES MUST INFORM THE COURT THAT THEY ARE SUBMITTING COMPETING ORDERS. ALSO PARTIES SHOULD COORDINATE SUBMITTING ORDERS, ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER ONE TO INSURE COURT SEES BOTH ORDERS WHEN REVIEWING. ONCE BOTH ARE UPLOADED NOTIFY THE DIVISION BY EMAIL.
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Page 1 | ORDERS - PROPOSED ORDERS
Add-ons to UMC/Special Set hearings require agreement of all parties; agreed add-ons require an Amended Notice of Hearing and email notice to the JA.
Parties cannot add-on to an existing UMC or Special Set hearing unless AGREED to by all parties. Add-ons will only be heard within the allotted time, both sides get equal time. No more than two motions may be noticed for a case on UMC. If the parties agree to have the motion added, file an Amended Notice of Hearing and notify the JA by email and she will add the motion.
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Page 1 | ADD ON TO AN EXISTING HEARING
Proposed orders must not be emailed to the Court or uploaded to CMS for signature before the hearing has taken place.
DO NOT send proposed orders to the Court's email in advance of the hearing. It is NOT professional to send Proposed Orders by email or upload to CMS for signature when the hearing has NOT taken place.
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Page 1 | ORDERS - IT IS NOT PROFESSIONAL
Emergency motions must follow Administrative Order 2021-50-CIV with the required form, and the division must be emailed with 'EMERGENCY MOTION' in the subject line once e-filed.
ALL parties MUST follow http://www.17th.flcourts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2021-50-Civ.pdf Administrative Order 2021-50-CIV. Please submit the form required and the Court will decide whether to set a hearing. Email the division at div21@17th.flcourts.org (PUT EMERGENCY MOTION in subject line) once efiled.
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Page 1 | EMERGENCY MOTIONS
Hearings are held via Zoom unless parties email the JA at least 24 hours (excluding weekends and court holidays) before the hearing to appear in person or hybrid.
ALL HEARINGS including Uniform Motion Calendar, Case Management, Lack of Prosecution, and Special Set Hearings and Calendar Call will be held through ZOOM Video Conference, unless the parties email the JA to advise that the parties want to appear in person. The parties MUST email the JA at least 24 hours (not including weekends and court holidays) prior to the hearing to advise they would like to appear in person or as a hybrid (both in person & zoom).
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Page 1 | Hearing Format (Preamble)
Asking the JA or other court personnel to relay messages to the Judge is prohibited ex-parte communication.
Please do not ask this Court's Judicial Assistant or other court personnel to communicate any message to the Judge. This is prohibited ex-parte communication. The Court's staff is not permitted to relay ex-parte information to the Judge.
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Page 1 | EX-PARTE COMMUNICATIONS
Status inquiries by phone to Judicial Assistants are inappropriate; parties must not call or email Judges, Judicial Assistants, or Staff Counsel (Appellate Division).
Phone calls to Judicial Assistants regarding the status of filed documents are inappropriate. It is for that reason that ALL parties are directed to review the Guidelines for Communications with the Appellate Division and to govern himself/herself accordingly. The Guidelines for Communications with the Appellate Division provides that parties shall not "call or email Judges, Judicial Assistants, or Staff Counsel."
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Page 1 | APPELLATE DIVISION
Ex-parte communications to the Court or JA are prohibited; all communications with the Court must include all parties.
The Court or JA cannot accept ex-parte communications or provide you with legal advice. An ex-parte communication occurs when a party to a case, or someone involved with a party, talks or writes to or otherwise communicates directly with the judge about the issues in the case without the other parties' knowledge. You must include all parties involved when communicating with the Court.
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Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE JUDICIAL OFFICE
After the dismissal order is signed, email div21@17th.flcourts.org a copy of the Order to remove the case from the docket.
When the Order is signed. Please send an email to div21@17th.flcourts.org with a copy of the Order to remove your case from the docket.
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Page 1 | SETTLED AT MEDIATION, STIPULATION OF DISMISSAL
Email div21 for Court review of rehearing/reconsideration motions; do not ask the JA to set a hearing until the Court approves.
Motions for rehearing/reconsideration need to be reviewed by the Court to determine if they need to be set for a hearing. Email div21@17th.flcourts.org for the court to review. Please do not email the JA asking to set the motion for a hearing until the Court reviews and approves the motion to be set for hearing.
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Page 1 | MOTIONS FOR REHEARING/RECONSIDERATION
Technical difficulties with CMS must be emailed to calendar@17th.flcourts.org; the JA is not tech support.
If you encounter technical difficulties submitting an order or uploading documents to CMS, or any other problem please send an email to calendar@17th.flcourts.org for further assistance. The JA is not tech support.
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Page 1 | CMS
Pro se parties must make requests of the Judge by email; the JA handles scheduling only and cannot give legal advice.
If you represent yourself, any requests you are making of the Judge needs to be in EMAIL. The Judicial Assistant is not a lawyer and handles scheduling only, therefore, do not call and ask for advice on what to file or how to prepare anything.
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Page 1 | SELF-REPRESENTED (Pro Se) PARTIES
Do not ask the JA to arbitrate unilateral hearing scheduling; coordinate via CMS with all parties, or email the JA to request a Case Management hearing if the parties cannot agree.
DO NOT ask the judicial assistant to get involved in the scheduling of unilaterally online hearings. The CMS system was created so that both parties can coordinate the hearings. This applies to dates given from the JA as well, all must agree. The judicial assistant is not an arbitrator of your scheduling disputes. Set a hearing via CMS coordinated with all parties. If the parties can not agree to a date, the JA can set a Case Management hearing to address with the Court. (EMAIL THE JA REQUESTING A CM)
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Page 1 | UNILATERALLY SET ONLINE HEARINGS
The JA cannot give legal advice or answer procedure questions listed in the Division 21 procedures; voicemails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.
Please do not ask Judicial Assistant questions on how to proceed with the case, the JA is not allowed to give any legal advice, and will not reply to your email or return your call to provide you information/procedures that are listed in the Procedures for Division 21. Therefore, review the procedures carefully before emailing the Judicial Assistant. Voicemails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.
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Page 1 | COMMUNICATIONS WITH CHAMBERS
Special Set hearings of 60 minutes or more must be requested by emailing the motion to the division with all parties copied and the time needed stated.
For Special Set hearings requiring 60 minutes or more, please email a copy of the motion to the division email copying all parties on the case and state how much time is needed. The JA will give dates.
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Page 1 | SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
When asking the JA for dates, email with the motion(s) attached, all parties copied, and time requested; do not call asking for dates.
IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR DATES FROM THE JA - Please attach the motion(s), copy all parties and state how much time you are requesting. DO NOT CALL ASKING FOR DATES.
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Page 1 | SPECIAL SET HEARINGS
Questions regarding civil matters must be emailed to circuitcivileclerk@browardclerk.org.
For questions regarding any civil matters, please send an email to circuitcivileclerk@browardclerk.org. Any questions will be answered through that email address.
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Page 1 | CLERK OF COURT