Judge Cynthia S. Oster
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Case Law, Motion, Hearing Binder
- Before Hearing
Courtesy copies
- No Later Than Three Business Days Before Hearing
Chambers Copy
Court-wideExtraordinary Writ Petition
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Adjournments
- Continuances are disfavored and may be granted only when good cause is shown.
- Unless good cause is shown, the continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party.
Request must include
- A continuance request must be submitted at least five days before the scheduled court date.
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through Florida’s E-filing Portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be submitted to the clerk of court 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
Competing proposed orders should be provided in Word format.
If parties are submitting competing orders, the proposed orders should also be e-mailed, in Word format, to the judicial assistant at CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
DOCX
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Hearing binders must be indexed and tabbed.
Hearing binders must be indexed and tabbed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The referenced submissions must be provided as hard copies in paper format.
Format: Hard Copies (Paper)
Paper
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Exhibits must be placed in hearing binders that are indexed and tabbed.
Exhibits must be in hearing binders, indexed and tabbed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Exhibits must be labeled as ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.’
Exhibits must be labeled in the following format: ‘Petitioner/Plaintiff 1’ or ‘Respondent/Defendant A.’
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every motion must include a Certificate of Conferral, and the hearing will be automatically canceled if it is missing.
All motions must include a Certificate of Conferral. If the motion does not contain a Certificate of Conferral, the hearing will be automatically canceled.
Document Type
Motion
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
Every notice of hearing must contain 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
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each proposed order must include a cover letter that either certifies unanimous agreement or identifies any party disagreement concerning the proposed 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
A party seeking an emergency hearing must file 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 Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A notice of hearing should identify the motion or matter and filing date, reserved time, whether the hearing is evidentiary, and whether it is remote or in person.
A notice of hearing should include (1) the title of the motion or matter to be heard, and date filed, (2) the amount of time reserved, (3) if the hearing is an evidentiary hearing, and (4) if the hearing is remote or in person.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Before submitting a proposed order for judicial review, it must be shown to the other side, which must agree, fail to respond within five days, or object and submit a competing order.
A proposed order should be submitted for the judge’s review only after (1) the proposed order has been shown to the other side, (2) the other side has either agreed to the order, failed to respond after five days, or indicated that they object to the proposed order and will submit their own competing order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Court-ordered hearings cannot be canceled except by court order.
Summary: A court-ordered hearing cannot be canceled except by court order.
Document Type
Notice Of Cancellation
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Proposed orders are submitted through the E-Filing Portal to the Circuit Civil Division E work queue.
Submission Method: E-Filing Portal to Circuit Civil Division E work queue.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Proposed orders must be submitted electronically through Florida’s E-filing Portal.
All proposed orders must be submitted in PDF format through Florida’s E-filing Portal.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
An emergency motion must be identified as an emergency when submitted through the e-portal.
The party must identify the motion as an emergency when submitted through the e-portal.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 5 | F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
A hard copy of all hearing materials must be received by the court no later than three business days before the hearing.
The Court must receive a hard copy of all materials for the hearing no later than three business days before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Copies of case law intended for support must be submitted no later than three business days before the hearing.
If you intend to rely on case law in support of a motion or the matter to be heard, copies of the case law must be submitted no later than three business days prior to the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | E. Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
The court’s copy of exhibits must be delivered in paper format no later than three business days before the trial or evidentiary proceeding.
The Court’s copy of exhibits must be delivered to the Court in paper format in no later than three business days before any trial or evidentiary proceeding.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Case law not submitted before the hearing will not be considered by the court.
If case law is not submitted prior to the hearing, it will not be considered by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | E. Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
A proposed order must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
Proposed orders must be submitted within 10 days after any hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Service and Proof of Service Rules
If a pro se party has no email address associated with the case, the attorney must mail copies of the order to that party.
If a party is pro se and does not have an e-mail address associated with the case, the attorney will be responsible for mailing copies of the order to pro se parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the court no later than three business days before the hearing.
Courtesy copies must be delivered to the Court no later than three business days before any hearing.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | E. Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of case law, motions to be heard, and hearing binders must be submitted before the hearing.
Courtesy copies of case law, motions to be heard, and/or hearing binders must be submitted to the Court in advance of the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 5 | E. Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must conduct a good-faith conference before scheduling discovery matters, and a motion lacking that conference will have its hearing automatically canceled.
Please make sure that parties have conferred PRIOR to setting these matters. A good faith conference is essential for scheduling these matters. If the motion does not contain a good faith conference, the hearing will be automatically canceled.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Unless good cause is shown, the continuance motion must be signed by the requesting party.
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).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Continuances are disfavored and may be granted only when good cause is shown.
Continuances are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
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.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Chambers Communication Rules
All communications to the judicial office must be sent by email to CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
All communications to the judicial office must be submitted by e-mail to CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
All parties must be copied on emails to the judicial office unless an 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
A hearing that is no longer needed must be canceled by immediately notifying the judicial assistant at CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
If you no longer need a hearing time, you must cancel hearings by notifying the judicial assistant immediately at CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 3 | B. Scheduling Procedures
Email subject lines to the judicial office must include the case number, case name, and relevant matter.
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
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an email address for electronic receipt of signed orders unless excused.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Hearings requiring more than 30 minutes must be requested by email with the case name, case number, matter title, filing date, and requested duration.
Hearings requiring more than 30 minutes must be requested by e-mail to CirCivDivE@fljud13.org and include the case name, case number, the title of the motion or matter to be heard, the date the motion or matter was filed, and the amount of time needed;
Checked and corrected to match 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 follow the stated practices when contacting the judicial office.
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.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Attorneys and self-represented litigants must use Form 2.603 to update their contact information whenever their registered 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.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
When parties submit competing proposed orders, the orders should also be emailed in Word format to the judicial assistant at CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
If parties are submitting competing orders, the proposed orders should also be e-mailed, in Word format, to the judicial assistant at CirCivDivE@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 4 | D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
The judicial assistant may answer only scheduling and preference questions.
The judicial assistant is not authorized to answer questions about anything but scheduling and preferences.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 2 | A. Communications with the Judicial Office
The clerk’s office should be contacted by email for instructions on numbering and marking exhibits for trials and in-person hearings.
Please contact the Clerk’s office at Joylynn.martinez@hillsclerk.com for instructions on the numbering and marking of exhibits for trials and in person hearings.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 6 | G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
If a hearing date and time cannot be identified on JAWS, the scheduling party should email the judicial assistant 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 assistant, copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant, to coordinate the scheduling of the hearing.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.
Page 2 | B. Scheduling Procedures