Judge Branden M. Henderson
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
Filings < 50 pages
- Hand Delivery
Motion
Chambers Copy
Court-wide
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and require good cause and submission at least five days before the scheduled court date; absent good cause, the requesting party must sign the motion.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Document Format Requirements6 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Competing orders must be submitted in Word format by email to civdivn@fljud13.org with “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.
Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email civdivn@fljud13.org with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Audio and video exhibits must be submitted on a disc or thumb drive.
Audio/video files must be submitted on a disc or thumb drive.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits generally must be submitted to the Clerk in paper format, except audio/video exhibits.
Exhibits must be submitted to the Clerk of Court in paper format unless the exhibit is an audio/video file.
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Exhibits must use the specified petitioner/plaintiff or respondent/defendant label format.
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: “Petitioner/Plaintiff 1” or “Respondent/Defendant 1.”
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
The materials may be submitted in PDF format.
Summary: Courtesy-copy materials may be submitted in PDF format.
Document Filing Requirements9 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must include the judicial Zoom credentials.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judicial Zoom credentials.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each proposed order must include a cover letter certifying that all parties agree to the order.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter certifying that all parties agree to the order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Competing proposed orders must be emailed to civdivn@fljud13.org with the subject line “Competing Proposed Order.”
Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email civdivn@fljud13.org with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.
Document Type
Competing Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
An agreed proposed order must be captioned “Agreed Order,” state in its first paragraph that the parties agree to the relief, and identify the stipulation or motion supporting that relief.
Proposed orders on agreed relief or relief sought jointly by the parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption. The first paragraph of the order must state that the parties agree to the relief afforded by the court, and it must identify the stipulation or motion providing the basis for the relief.
Document Type
Agreed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A written motion requesting a remote appearance must be filed, show good cause, state whether the opposing party objects, and be accompanied by an emailed courtesy copy.
If a party is requesting a remote appearance for a scheduled, in person hearing, a written motion must be filed and a courtesy copy must be sent to civdivn@fljud13.org. The motion must show good cause from the party requesting the remote appearance. The motion must also include whether the opposing party has an objection. A statement that counsel/self represented litigant has not heard back from the opposing party is unacceptable.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Motions to compel discovery must include the good-faith conference certification required by Rule 1.380 or they will be denied.
Motions to compel discovery must comply with the good-faith conference certification requirements fo Rule 1.380. Motions that do not comply will be denied.
Document Type
Motion To Compel Discovery
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A request for an emergency hearing must be made by a detailed motion identifying 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
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Every notice of hearing must state the filing date and document index number of the motion being heard.
When preparing the notice of hearing, always include the filing date and document index number of the motion being heard.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Every notice of hearing must include the ADA notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540.
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
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Competing or opposed orders must not be uploaded through the E-Portal.
Competing orders or opposed orders should not be uploaded via the E-Portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Agreed-upon proposed orders and proposed orders not objected to within five days must be submitted through the E-Filing Portal.
Submission Method: E-Filing Portal (for all agreed upon proposed orders or orders not objected to within 5 days).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
All hearing materials must be received by the court no later than five days before the hearing, and later materials will not be considered.
Submission Deadlines: The court must receive all materials for the hearing no later than five days before the hearing. Materials received after this deadline will not be considered.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The party responsible for submitting the proposed order must consult all parties within five days of the hearing and make a genuine effort to agree on its language.
The party charged with submitting the order must consult with all parties within 5 days of the hearing and make a genuine effort to agree on the language of the proposed order.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
A proposed order must be submitted within seven days after the hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 7 days after any hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Evidentiary-hearing exhibits must be filed with the Clerk and mailed to the Judge’s chambers seven days before the hearing, or delivered by hand three days before the hearing.
For evidentiary hearing exhibits, all documents the parties want the Court to consider, must be filed with the Clerk of Court and mailed to the Judge’s chambers 7 days before the hearing, or delivered by hand 3 days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 7 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
All exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Exhibits must be received in chambers three days before the evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 7 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
A unilateral hearing requires at least 30 days' notice, a lack of cooperation, and a detailed description of efforts to agree on a hearing date; a single letter, email, or ultimatum is insufficient.
Unilateral notices of hearing may be set with a minimum of 30 days notice and only due to a lack of cooperation. The notice of hearing must describe, in detail, the efforts made to reach an agreement on the hearing date. A single letter, email or ultimatum is insufficient. Unilaterally set hearings that do not describe efforts to agree on a hearing date may be cancelled by the court without notice.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy copies must reach the court no later than five days before an evidentiary proceeding.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court no later than five days before any evidentiary proceeding.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Service of a notice of hearing must occur immediately after hearing time is reserved.
Notice of Hearing: A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If submitted hearing materials contain highlighting, identical copies must be provided to all other parties before the hearing.
If the matierals submitted to the court has any highlighting, identical copies must be provided to all other parties in advance of the hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Attorneys and self-represented litigants generally must provide an email address for electronic delivery of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 whenever their registered electronic-service email account changes.
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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
A party cancelling a same-day hearing must immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Counsel/Self represented litigant must also immediately file and serve a notice of cancellation on opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A courtesy copy of a remote-appearance motion must be emailed to civdivn@fljud13.org.
If a party is requesting a remote appearance for a scheduled, in person hearing, a written motion must be filed and a courtesy copy must be sent to civdivn@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | C. Remote Appearance
If highlighted courtesy-copy materials are submitted, identical copies must be provided to all other parties before the hearing.
If the matierals submitted to the court has any highlighting, identical copies must be provided to all other parties in advance of the hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy-copy materials of fewer than 50 pages may be hand delivered, mailed, or emailed to the court.
The materials may be hand delivered, mailed or emailed to the court if the materials are less than 50 pages.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 6 | E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances are disfavored and require good cause and submission at least five days before the scheduled court date; absent good cause, the requesting party must sign the motion.
Continuance Procedure: Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. A request for continuance must be submitted at least five days prior to the scheduled court date. 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).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
Every hearing longer than 15 minutes must be scheduled by email.
ALL HEARINGS LONGER THAN 15 MINUTES MUST BE SCHEDULED VIA EMAIL (CIVDIVN@FLJUD13.ORG).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A party cancelling a hearing must immediately notify the judicial assistant by email at civdivn@fljud13.org.
Cancelling Hearings: Parties must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately by emailing civdivn@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
A party cancelling a hearing on the date it is scheduled must also telephone the judicial assistant.
If the hearing is cancelled the same day it is scheduled to be heard, the party must also call the judicial assistant.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Hearings not otherwise covered may be scheduled by email.
All other hearings can be set via email (civdivn@fljud13.org).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
If no hearing date and time can be identified on JAWS, the scheduling party should email the judicial office and copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
If parties are unable to identify a hearing date and time on JAWS, the scheduling party should e-mail the judicial office, 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 moving party may schedule a CMC or status conference through the UMC docket or by emailing the judicial assistant.
The moving party may schedule the CMC or status conference through the online scheduling platform (UMC docket) or contact the judicial assistant via email at civdivn@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 7 | H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
Parties may request a trial-setting hearing by emailing the judicial assistant or place the case on a UMC docket, and may instead submit a stipulated order setting a trial date.
The parties should email the judicial assistant requesting a hearing to set a trial date or set the case on a UMC docket; or the parties may stipulate to a trial date and submit a stipulated order setting the case for trial.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 8 | I. Setting Case for Trial
All requests for court dates must be submitted by email.
All court dates must be requested via email.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
An emergency request must be made by telephone and followed by an email identifying it as an emergency.
If the matter is an emergency, call the office and follow up with an email, noting that the request is an emergency.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All other hearings must be requested by email.
All other hearings must be requested by e-mail.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures
The judicial assistant may not provide legal advice or discuss specific case details.
The judicial assistant cannot give legal advice or discuss specific case details.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office