Court Rules
Judge Christopher C. Sabella
Judge

Judge Christopher C. Sabella

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

BriefCourt-wide
25 pgs
DocumentsCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Chambers Copy

Court-wide

Courtesy copies

Court-wide

Extraordinary Writ Petition

Court-wide
  • Immediately Upon Filing

Financial Affidavit, Exhibits

Court-wide

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason For RequestProposed New Dates
5Working Daysnotice
48Hoursnotice

Communication

Email

Chambers

cornelcm@fljud13.org
Scheduling
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

legalbailbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

ilbonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide

Clerk

bonds@hillsclerk.com
Email
Court-wide
Scheduling
Phone
Court-wide

Chambers

Scheduling
Filters:AllImportantFormattingProposed Orders

Document Format Requirements2 rules

Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

Competing proposed orders must be emailed in Word format with “Competing Order” and the case number in the subject line.

the parties shall simultaneous email the competing form of proposed order in word format to cornelcm@fljud13.org with a subject line which includes “Competing Order” and the case number.

Required Format

DOCX

JudgeChristopherSabella · Apr 2025 · p. 3|SecD. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Formatting

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

Proposed orders should be submitted through the Florida E-Portal in PDF format.

A proposed order should be submitted for the judge’s review via the Florida E-Portal in PDF format.

Required Format

PDF

JudgeChristopherSabella · Apr 2025 · p. 3|SecD. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Document Filing Requirements2 rules

Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must include the judge’s Zoom credentials.

A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the judge’s Zoom credentials.

Document Type

Notice Of Hearing

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
JudgeChristopherSabella · Apr 2025 · p. 2|SecB. Scheduling Procedures
Filing Requirements

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important

Requests 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 Request Motion

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
JudgeChristopherSabella · Apr 2025 · p. 3|SecC. Remote Appearance

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

All proposed orders must be submitted through the proposed-order section of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

All proposed orders must be submitted to the court by the proposed order portion of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

Self-represented litigants excused from email service may submit proposed orders by U.S. mail or hand delivery to the judicial office.

Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court by U.S. mail or hand-delivered to the judicial office.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.

Page 4 | 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.

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 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Parties must separately register each entitled email address in JAWS for each case to receive electronically signed orders, judgments, notifications, and court correspondence.

Filing a notice of an email address through the Portal does not input the email address into the JAWS for purposes of receiving electronically signed orders, judgments, JAWS notifications, or email correspondence from the Court. Parties must register their email address on JAWS for each individual case and for each individual attorney or party entitled to service.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

A notice of hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email, generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.

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.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Chambers Communication Rules

All parties must be copied on email sent to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law, and communications must comply with Canon 3.

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.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.

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.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Email sent to or from the judicial office may be disclosed as a public record.

Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Hearing requests must be emailed to the judicial assistant, and the requesting party should copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

Hearings must be requested by contacting the judicial assistant at cornelcm@fljud13.org. The scheduling party should copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant on their request.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures

When competing proposed orders are submitted, the parties must simultaneously email the Word-format competing order to the court email address with the required subject line and case number.

the parties shall simultaneous email the competing form of proposed order in word format to cornelcm@fljud13.org with a subject line which includes “Competing Order” and the case number.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 3 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

The judicial assistant seeks to respond substantively to inquiries within one business day but may not provide legal advice.

The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day. However, the judicial assistant is not authorized to provide legal advice.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

The judicial assistant provides the remote-appearing platform meeting ID and password by email.

Contact the judicial assistant at cornelcm@fljud13.org to obtain the platform meeting ID# and password.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026

Page 3 | C. Remote Appearance

Communications to the judicial office should be submitted by email to cornelcm@fljud13.org.

All communications to the judicial office should be submitted by e-mail to cornelcm@fljud13.org.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.

Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 727 rules apply across Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 259
  • Applies to
    Waiver of jury trial

    A defendant electing a non-jury trial must personally sign and file a Waiver of Jury Trial form with the court.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases form

    A petitioner must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form, using Form 12.900(h), when related cases are pending and known or reasonably ascertainable, except in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions.

  • Applies to
    Notice of related cases

    Petitioners in the Domestic Relations I Family Law Divisions must complete and file a Notice of Related Cases form using Form 12.900(h), even when no related cases exist.

Filing Timing

All 126

  • All motions and notices of hearing must be filed by noon on the business day before the hearing.

  • An attorney of record may not withdraw unless a motion to withdraw is filed, heard, and granted at least 30 days before trial.

  • Deadline
    10 calendar days

    An objection to referral must be filed within 10 days of service of the order of referral.

Service

All 93
  • Deadline
    2 business days
    Applies to
    Case law
    Service
    Electronic service to court

    A party using case law in support of or opposition to a filed motion must provide an electronic copy of the case law, the notice of hearing, and the motion to the presiding judge's office and opposing counsel or party at least two business days before the hearing.

  • Service
    Court service to all parties

    After obtaining a hearing time, the clerk must notify all necessary parties.

  • Applies to
    Motion
    Service
    Email

    The clerk must email motions filed by self-represented defendants to the presiding judge and judicial assistant.

E-Filing

All 68
  • Applies to
    Probable cause application

    Law enforcement agency attorneys must submit the probable-cause application by email to the County Criminal Division C judicial assistant for filing in the Clerk's Administrative File.

  • Applies to
    Proposed order

    The law enforcement agency attorney must submit the proposed order through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal using the assigned Clerk's Administrative File number.

  • Applies to
    Motion

    Except for Motions for Discharge and Motions for Speedy Trial, an attorney must e-file a motion for hearing simultaneously with a Notice of Hearing after coordinating the hearing time with the opposing attorney or party.

More categories

View all Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, Hillsborough County rules
About Judge Christopher C. Sabella

The Honorable Christopher C. Sabella --- The Honorable Christopher Sabella is the Chief Judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida. The Thirteenth Circuit is comprised solely of Hillsborough County, which includes the City of Tampa. Judge Sabella was born here in Hillsborough County, becoming the third generation of his family to live in Hillsborough. Judge Sabella grew up in Tampa, where he graduated from Jesuit High School. Judge Sabella continued his education at Florida State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree. After becoming a proud alumnus of Florida State, Judge Sabella returned to the Tampa Bay area, where he attended Stetson University College of Law and received his J.D. Degree. While at Stetson Law, Judge Sabella traveled across the nation competing with Stetson Law’s Mock Trial Team. After graduating law school, Judge Sabella began his professional career as a legal advisor for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Judge Sabella briefly left the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Florida. Representing the United States of America was a special experience for Judge Sabella but the pull of service to his local community brought him back to the Sheriff’s Office where he was made Deputy Chief Legal Advisor to the Hillsborough County Sheriff. Judge Sabella’s service to Hillsborough County evolved in 2006 when he was appointed Circuit Court Judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida by Governor Jeb Bush. During his tenure as Circuit Judge, Judge Sabella has presided over a variety of divisions, in both civil and criminal law. Judge Sabella is best known for presiding over one of the Circuit’s Felony Trial Divisions, where many high-profile criminal trials have occurred. Judge Sabella’s training as a Felony Judge has included becoming death certified, meaning that he is qualified by the State of Florida to sentence guilty defendents to death. Judge Sabella has presided over multiple Capital Cases during his time in the Felony Trial Division and many of his high-profile cases have been featured on national television. Such cases include Florida v. Trevor Summers, Florida v. Steven Lorenzo, Florida v. Michael Keetley, Florida v. Tyrone Johnson, Florida v. Nicole Nachtman, and Florida v. Matthew Terry. Besides serving as a Judge, Chief Judge Sabella has traveled as a guest lecturer, presented on various panels, and has taught as a law school professor. One of Judge Sabella’s most favorite experiences has been teaching trial skills to law students here in Hillsborough County at WMU-Cooley Law School, where he has been an adjunct professor since 2014. Judge Sabella has found it particularly rewarding to ensure the next generations of legal professionals are well trained and prepared to advocate for their future clients. Chief Judge Sabella was elected by his fellow Judges to be the Chief Judge for the Thirteenth Circuit; his first term began July 1st, 2023.

**Edgecomb Courthouse** - 800 E. Twiggs St., Room #602 - Tampa, Florida 33602 - Judicial Assistant: Christina Novia - Phone: (813) 272-5022 - Email: cornelcm@fljud13.org

Common questions about Judge Christopher C. Sabella's rules

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Christopher C. Sabella?

Judge Christopher C. Sabella's formatting rule includes file format PDF. Proposed orders should be submitted through the Florida E-Portal in PDF format.

View ruleSource: page 3, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What must be included with notice of hearing filings before Judge Christopher C. Sabella?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must include the judge’s Zoom credentials.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What must be included with remote appearance request motion filings before Judge Christopher C. Sabella?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Requests to appear remotely using communication technology must be made by motion.

View ruleSource: page 3, section C. Remote Appearance

How may parties contact Judge Christopher C. Sabella's chambers?

All parties must be copied on email sent to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law, and communications must comply with Canon 3.

View ruleSource: page 1, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office

Is electronic filing required before Judge Christopher C. Sabella?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All proposed orders must be submitted through the proposed-order section of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

View ruleSource: page 4, section D. Submission of Orders and Judgments

What filing deadlines does Judge Christopher C. Sabella set?

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.

View ruleSource: page 2, section B. Scheduling Procedures

What rule applies to e-service before Judge Christopher C. Sabella?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: method: e-service. Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email, generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.

View ruleSource: page 2, section A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Complete rules summary for Judge Christopher C. Sabella

Communications to the judicial office should be submitted by email to cornelcm@fljud13.org.

All parties must be copied on email sent to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law, and communications must comply with Canon 3.

The court will not consider unsolicited communications from non-parties.

Attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by email, generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.

Parties must separately register each entitled email address in JAWS for each case to receive electronically signed orders, judgments, notifications, and court correspondence.

The judicial assistant seeks to respond substantively to inquiries within one business day but may not provide legal advice.

Email sent to or from the judicial office may be disclosed as a public record.

Hearing requests must be emailed to the judicial assistant, and the requesting party should copy opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.

A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after hearing time is reserved.

A notice of hearing must be served immediately after hearing time is reserved.

A notice of hearing involving a remote appearance must include the judge’s Zoom credentials.

Requests to appear remotely using communication technology must be made by motion.

The judicial assistant provides the remote-appearing platform meeting ID and password by email.

Proposed orders should be submitted through the Florida E-Portal in PDF format.

All proposed orders must be submitted through the proposed-order section of the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal.

Self-represented litigants excused from email service may submit proposed orders by U.S. mail or hand delivery to the judicial office.

When competing proposed orders are submitted, the parties must simultaneously email the Word-format competing order to the court email address with the required subject line and case number.

Competing proposed orders must be emailed in Word format with “Competing Order” and the case number in the subject line.

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