Judge Raymond Forbess Jr.
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Chambers Copy
Courtesy copies
Exhibits
Trial Or Hearing Set Memo
Court-wide
Adjournments
- A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideDocument Format Requirements4 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits submitted to the clerk of court must be in paper format.
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court in paper format.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A proposed order submitted through the e-portal must be in PDF format.
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF if filed via the e-portal; or Word format if emailed to the JA.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Exhibits must be labeled “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant A.”
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Format: PDF format or Word document.
Summary: Courtesy copies may be submitted in PDF format.
Document Filing Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A remote-appearance notice of hearing must list the judicial Zoom credentials, and every notice of hearing must include the required ADA notification.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials. All notices of hearing must contain the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every request for a remote appearance requires a proper motion and authorization from the court.
In all cases requesting remote appearances, the party must submit a proper motion and gain authorization from the Court.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Unless good cause is shown, the requesting party must sign the continuance motion.
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).
Document Type
Continuance Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A request to appear remotely using communication technology must be made by motion.
Requests to use communication technology for an appearance must be made by motion.
Document Type
Remote Appearance Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every proposed order must include a cover letter certifying party agreement or identifying any disagreement about the order.
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.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
An emergency-hearing motion must state the issues, reasons for emergency relief, and time needed for each party's presentation.
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.
Document Type
Emergency Hearing Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
You must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Summary: A notice of hearing cancellation must be immediately filed and served on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing Cancellation
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All materials may be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at ShellyH@ClayClerk.com.
All materials may be emailed to the Court’s Judicial Assistant at ShellyH@ClayClerk.com
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Proposed orders must be submitted through the e-portal, with email to the judicial assistant permitted when an issue exists or the portal is unavailable.
Submission Method: E-Filing Portal. However, if there is an issue or the e-portal is down, counsel may email the JA.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Unless the court orders otherwise, all hearing materials must be received no later than five business days before the hearing.
Unless otherwise ordered, the Court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All exhibits must be received in chambers five days before the evidentiary proceeding.
All exhibits must be received in chambers five days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
All exhibits and case law must be submitted five days before the hearing.
All exhibits and case law shall be submitted five days prior to the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court at least two days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than two days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A proposed order must be submitted within 30 days after the hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 30 days after any hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after the hearing time is reserved and confirmed.
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving and receiving confirmation of a hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The cancellation notice must be served immediately 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified documents are required for every evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies of case law or other specified document must be submitted to the court for any evidentiary proceeding.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring enough copies of each exhibit for the clerk, court, and every party to use at the hearing or trial.
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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Courtesy copies may be delivered to the court by email.
Submission Method: e-mail or U.S. mail.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A continuance may be granted only when good cause is shown.
granted only upon good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The court disfavors continuances.
Continuances are disfavored and will be
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
A hearing must be cancelled by immediately notifying the judicial assistant.
You must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All parties must be copied on email sent to the judicial office unless 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email with a subject line containing the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to shellyh@clayclerk.com. The subject line must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 DR 001234 SC – Doe v. Doe - 2-Hour Hearing Requested.)
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearings must be requested by email to the judicial assistant, with opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant copied.
Hearings must be requested by e-mail to shellyh@clayclerk.com. The scheduling party should e-mail the judicial assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties, and parties must contact the judicial office only in accordance with the stated practices and procedures.
Unsolicited communications from non- parties will not be considered by the court. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office