Judge James S. Giardina
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Chambers Copy
Court-wideCourtesy copies
Court-wideExtraordinary Writ Petition
Court-wide- Immediately Upon Filing
Financial Affidavit, Exhibits
Court-wide
Adjournments
- The Court may cancel without notice a unilaterally set hearing that does not describe efforts to agree on a hearing date.
- A hearing cancellation made with less than one business day's notice and without good cause may lead to a ruling without a hearing.
- A pretrial conference cannot be rescheduled without good cause and prior court approval.
- +2 more
Request must include
- A calendar-conflict continuance motion and notice email must each be submitted at least five business days before the pretrial conference, absent an emergency, accident, hospitalization, or other good cause.
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Clerk
Clerk
Clerk
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Proposed orders generally must be submitted in PDF format through the electronic filing portal.
All proposed orders shall be submitted to the Court in PDF format via the e-filing portal.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Competing proposed orders should be emailed to the division in Word format with the specified subject line.
Competing orders should be submitted in Word format to the division email (civdivh@fljud13.org) with the words “Competing Proposed Order” in the subject line.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements25 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
All required documents must be filed before the court will allow parties to obtain a trial date.
All required documents must be filed before the court will permit the Parties to obtain a trial date.
Requirement
Document requirement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A telephonic-appearing motion must state good cause for the requested appearance.
Set forth good cause why such why telephonic appearance is necessary.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A proposed-order cover letter must identify any hearing date and state whether other parties object to or agree to the order's form.
The cover letter must identify the hearing date (if any) and must affirmatively state whether the other parties object or do not object to the form of the order (i.e. whether all parties agree to the form of the order.)
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A unilateral notice based on lack of cooperation must include a detailed cover letter describing efforts to agree on the hearing date.
A notice of hearing set unilaterally due to a lack of cooperation must be accompanied by a cover letter describing, in detail, the efforts made to reach agreement on the hearing date.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A paper proposed order must include three sets of pre-addressed stamped envelopes for conforming copies and a cover letter.
Proposed order submitted on paper must also be accompanied by three copies for conforming, pre-addressed, stamped envelopes for each party in the case, and a cover letter.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A motion must be filed before requesting or setting a hearing.
A motion must be filed with the Clerk of Court before setting the matter for hearing in JAWS or requesting hearing time from the Judicial Assistant.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Except for pretrial conferences, every hearing cancellation must be in writing.
All cancellations of hearing (except a Pretrial Conference hearing) shall be in writing, including hearings cancelled through JAWS.
Document Type
Hearing Cancellation
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Every proposed order must be accompanied by a cover letter.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a cover letter.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A proposed order permitting a Zoom hearing must allow all parties to appear by Zoom.
Proposed Orders for Zoom Hearings must meet the following requirements:Allow all parties to appear via Zoom
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
A Zoom or phone appearance requires a written motion e-filed with a proposed order and a showing of good cause.
Any special request to appear by Zoom/phone at a hearing by any party or attorney must be submitted to the Court through a written motion e-filed with the Clerk of Court using the Florida Courts E-Filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ along with a proposed order. The motion shall provide good cause why such exception is necessary.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The submitting party must consult all parties and make a genuine, good-faith effort to agree on the proposed order's language.
The party charged with submitting the order must consult with all parties prior to submission of the proposed order to the Court. Parties must make a genuine, good faith effort to agree on the language of the proposed order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Matters requiring 15 minutes or less must generally be scheduled through JAWS, subject to stated exceptions.
All matters requiring 15 minutes or less of hearing time must be scheduled through JAWS, unless time sensitive or special circumstances exist.
Requirement
Document requirement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A proposed order granting agreed or jointly sought relief should begin with the words “Agreed Order” in the caption.
Proposed orders on agreed relief or relief sought jointly by the parties should begin with “Agreed Order” in the caption.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
The trial-scheduling request must identify the desired trial month, after which the Judicial Assistant supplies available pretrial and trial dates.
The parties shall submit the desired trial month, and the judicial assistance (JA) will provide dates for the final pretrial hearing and the date of week for either the jury trial or non-jury trial.
Requirement
Document requirement
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A competing-order email may briefly explain the proposed form but may not include additional legal argument.
The email may briefly describe why the party’s proposed form is correct, but additional legal argument is prohibited.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
State the Court’s Zoom information and call in number.
Summary: A proposed order permitting a Zoom hearing must state the Court's Zoom information and call-in number.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All notices of hearing shall include the name, docket entry number, the date of filing of the motion to be heard and any responses/replies thereto, as well as the time reserved for the hearing.
Summary: Every notice of hearing must state the name, docket entry number, motion and response/reply filing dates, and hearing time.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The first paragraph of the order must state that the parties agree to the relief afforded by the order, and it must identify the stipulation or motion providing the basis for the relief.
Summary: An agreed order's first paragraph must state the agreed relief and identify the stipulation or motion supporting it.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
State the date and time of the hearing
Summary: A proposed order permitting a Zoom hearing must state the hearing date and time.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
State the title of the motion to be heard Via Zoom
Summary: A proposed order permitting a Zoom hearing must state the title of the motion to be heard via Zoom.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Parties scheduling either non-jury or jury trials must also schedule the designated final pretrial conference one month prior to the trial date. Attendance to the pretrial conference is mandatory and in person.
Summary: A final pretrial conference must be scheduled one month before trial, and mandatory attendance must be in person.
Document Type
Pretrial Order
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
State whether the opposing party consents to the motion.
Summary: A remote-appearing motion must state whether the opposing party consents.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If the opposing party objects, set forth the efforts, made by the moving party to discuss the matter with the nonmoving party, including dates thereof.
Summary: If the opponent objects to a remote-appearing motion, the motion must describe the efforts and dates used to discuss it.
Document Type
Motion
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
At least three (3) attempts must be made to coordinate a hearing date.
Summary: At least three attempts must be made to coordinate a hearing date.
Document Type
Notice Of Hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Videoconference Hearings:All hearings are presumed to be in-person unless a Motion to Appear via Zoom has been filed and an Order has been granted by the Judge.
Summary: A hearing is presumed in person unless a Zoom-appearing motion is filed and the judge grants an order.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A Notice of Hearing must be e-filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal after a hearing time is obtained.
After obtaining a hearing time either through JAWS or the Judicial Assistant, a Notice of Hearing must be e-filed with the Clerk of Court using the Florida Courts E-Filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ and a copy emailed to civdivh@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
The party setting the trial must prepare and electronically file the order setting trial for the judge's signature.
It is the responsibility of the party setting the trial to prepare the Order setting trial and to file through the E-PORTAL for the Judge's signature.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling trials
A motion requesting a Zoom or phone appearance must be e-filed through the Florida Courts E-Filing portal.
Any special request to appear by Zoom/phone at a hearing by any party or attorney must be submitted to the Court through a written motion e-filed with the Clerk of Court using the Florida Courts E-Filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ along with a proposed order. The motion shall provide good cause why such exception is necessary.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Motions to Appear Via Zoom
Except for pretrial conferences, a hearing-cancellation document must be e-filed at least 24 hours before the hearing.
All cancellations of hearing (except a Pretrial Conference hearing) shall be e-filed with the Clerk through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, and a copy sent via email to civdivh@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
A copy of the hearing-cancellation notice must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant and filed through the electronic portal.
E-mail JA a copy of the Notice of Cancellation AND file in E-Portal
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Attorneys and Self-Represented Litigants
Proposed orders generally must be submitted through the electronic filing portal.
All proposed orders shall be submitted to the Court in PDF format via the e-filing portal.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Proposed orders
The parties are responsible for filing all scheduling paperwork, and failure may result in striking the trial hearing.
It is the responsibility of the parties to ensure that all JAWS notifications, hearing notices, trial orders, and any other paperwork are properly filed; and failure to do so may result in the trial hearing being stricken.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Scheduling trials
Paper submission of a proposed order after a hearing is permitted when at least one party is self-represented.
If at least one party is proceeding as a pro se (self-represented) litigant, then after a hearing, proposed orders may be submitted to the Court on paper.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Proposed orders
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Proposed voir dire questions, jury instructions, and a joint statement of the case must reach chambers at least seven days before a jury trial.
In a jury trial, proposed voir dire questions, proposed jury instructions, and a brief joint statement of the case to be read to the jury must be submitted to chambers at least 7 days before the trial starts.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling trials
A proposed order must be submitted within one week after the hearing or ruling.
Proposed orders must be submitted to the Court within one (1) week of the hearing and/or ruling.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed orders
Except for pretrial conferences, the hearing cancellation must be e-filed at least 24 hours before the scheduled hearing.
All cancellations of hearing (except a Pretrial Conference hearing) shall be e-filed with the Clerk through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, and a copy sent via email to civdivh@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
Silence from other parties may be treated as non-objection only after three days without a response.
It is not sufficient to state that the proposing party has not heard back from others, unless 3 days have elapsed without a response.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Proposed orders
Legal authority intended for the judge's consideration should reach chambers at least three business days before the hearing.
Any legal authority you would like the Judge to consider prior to a hearing should arrive in chambers at least 3 business days before a scheduled hearing via mail or hand delivery.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
A motion requesting a Zoom or phone appearance must be filed at least 10 days before the hearing.
Be filed at least at least 10 days prior to the scheduled hearing date. Last minute filings are disfavored.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Motions to Appear Via Zoom
A hearing may be noticed unilaterally only because of a lack of cooperation and with at least 30 days' notice.
Hearings may be unilaterally noticed only due to a lack of cooperation, and with a minimum of 30 days notice.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A calendar-conflict continuance motion and notice email must each be submitted at least five business days before the pretrial conference, absent an emergency, accident, hospitalization, or other good cause.
Except in the case of an unforeseeable emergency, accident, hospitalization, or other good cause, a Motion to Continue Pre-Trial Conference based on an attorney calendar conflict must be filed at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled Pre-Trial Conference AND the movant must email the Judicial Assistant at civdivh@fljud13.org at least 5 business days prior to the scheduled Pre-Trial Conference to inform the Court that a Motion to Continue Pre-Trial Conference has been filed and is pending.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Pretrial Conference
An attorney with an unavoidable conflict may request continuation by a written motion that specifically states the reasons.
In the event an attorney has an unavoidable calendar conflict, such attorney may file a written Motion to Continue Pre-Trial Conference and state with specificity the reason(s) why a continuance is necessary.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Pretrial Conference
A pretrial conference cannot be rescheduled without good cause and prior court approval.
The date and time of the pretrial conference CANNOT be rescheduled without good cause and prior Court approval.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Pretrial Conference
An untimely calendar-conflict motion to continue the pretrial conference will be denied.
An untimely Motion to Continue Pretrial Conference based on a calendar conflict will be denied.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Pretrial Conference
The Court may cancel without notice a unilaterally set hearing that does not describe efforts to agree on a hearing date.
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 1 | County Civil, Division H
A hearing cancellation made with less than one business day's notice and without good cause may lead to a ruling without a hearing.
Accordingly, last minute cancellations (less than 1 business day notice) made without good cause may result in the Court ruling on the pending motion without a hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Cancelling Hearings Within 24 Hours of Hearing
Chambers Communication Rules
Parties must email the division to request final-pretrial and jury or non-jury trial dates.
In order to schedule a jury or non-jury trial date, parties must send an email to the division’s email, civdivh@fljud13.org, requesting final pretrial and trial dates.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling trials
A copy of the Notice of Hearing must be emailed to the division after obtaining a hearing time.
After obtaining a hearing time either through JAWS or the Judicial Assistant, a Notice of Hearing must be e-filed with the Clerk of Court using the Florida Courts E-Filing portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ and a copy emailed to civdivh@fljud13.org.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
After selecting the dates, the parties must notify the Judicial Assistant by email of the agreed dates.
After the parties have selected the final pretrial and jury trial or non-jury trial dates, they will notify the JA via email of the agreed upon date.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Scheduling trials
A copy of the hearing-cancellation notice must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant and filed through the electronic portal.
E-mail JA a copy of the Notice of Cancellation AND file in E-Portal
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | Attorneys and Self-Represented Litigants
Matters requiring more than 30 minutes must be scheduled through the Judicial Assistant by phone or email.
Any matters requiring more than 30 minutes of hearing time must be scheduled through the Judge’s Judicial Assistant by calling (813) 272-5778 or emailing civdivh@fljud13.org to obtain available hearing times.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
Except for pretrial conferences, a copy of the hearing cancellation must be emailed to the division.
All cancellations of hearing (except a Pretrial Conference hearing) shall be e-filed with the Clerk through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal at myflcourtaccess.com/ at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing, and a copy sent via email to civdivh@fljud13.org.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | County Civil, Division H
Every email requesting trial dates must include all parties.
ALL PARTIES MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY EMAIL SENT TO THE COURT.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Scheduling trials