Lourdes Simon

[MACHINE-TRANSCRIBED VIA OCR from the scanned official PDF — wording may contain recognition errors; verify against the official source before relying on any requirement.]

Hearing Protocols: Technology Use and Zoom Matters
Circuit Civil Division Operations Plans
Event | Duration | Zoom [| = Live |
Motion Calendar 5-10 minute Only hearing Mo alternative. Live
matters procedure must seek special
set hearing
Special Set Under 30 minutes | Presumed hearing Alternative: Only
procedure with agreement of
counsel and
approval of judge
Special Set Longer than 30 Alternative: Only Presumed hearing
minutes upon agreement of procedure
counsel and
approval of judge
Evidentiary Hearing Any duration Alternative: Only Presumed hearing
upon agreement of procedure
counsel and
approval of judge
Bench Trial Any duration Alternative: Only Presumed trial
upon agreement of | procedure
counsel and
approval of judge
Jury Trial Any duration Not available, Trial procedure
except for jury
prequalification upon
stipulation
Witness Appearance Any duration Must be Presumed
prearranged, meet appearance
legal requirements, procedure
and approval of
court

1 THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 24-1 (Court Administration) ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 24-20 (Rescinding AO No. 21-09/Case No. 21-1) IN RE: RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCEDURES FOR ACTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION WHEREAS, In re: Comprehensive COVID-19 Emergency Measures for Florida Trial Courts, Fla. S. Ct. Admin. Order No. AOSC20-23A12 (April 13, 2021) required chief judges to issue an administrative order requiring the presiding judge for each civil case (as defined in footnote 13 of AOSC20-23A12) to actively manage civil cases as specified therein; and WHEREAS, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Administrative Order No. 21-09 was issued in accordance with AOSC20-23A12 in regard to Circuit Civil cases; and WHEREAS, on May 23, 2024, the Florida Supreme Court entered In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, 386 So. 3d 497 (Fla. 2024), which amended certain Rules of Civil Procedure to further enhance active case management of civil cases, including amending Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.200 to require the Chief Judge of each judicial circuit to enter an administrative order addressing certain case management requirements; and WHEREAS, on December 5, 2024, after considering comments and oral argument regarding its May 23, 2024, opinion, the Florida Supreme Court entered In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, No. SC2023-0962, 2024 WL 4983566 (Fla. Dec. 5, 2024), which adopted additional amendments to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure; and WHEREAS, the Florida Supreme Court’s amendments to Rule 1.200 codify most of the requirements of AOSC20-23A12, but modify or refine some requirements; and WHEREAS, the amendments to Rule 1.200 adopted by the Florida Supreme Court are to become effective on January 1, 2025; and WHEREAS, this Administrative Order is issued in accordance with Rule 1.200; and WHEREAS, this Administrative Order contemplates that the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure will be enforced on a consistent and just basis, that access to hearing time will be consistently and reasonably available, that counsel will utilize access to the Court wisely and -- 1 of 24 -- 2 appropriately, and that to the fullest extent possible, the Court, counsel, and the parties will work to consistently move cases to timely resolution; and WHEREAS, all judges within this circuit are directed to strictly comply with Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(a), (b), and (e), which respectively require judges to conclude litigation as soon as it is reasonably and justly possible to do so, to take charge of all cases at an early stage and to control the progress of the case thereafter until it is determined, and to apply a firm continuance policy allowing continuances only for good cause shown; and WHEREAS, the purpose of a case management order issued pursuant to this Administrative Order shall be to set a plan for consistent progress towards the timely resolution of each case and to set reasonable expectations for the client, the attorneys, and the Court in every case. NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida under Rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, it is hereby ORDERED: The following requirements apply to all cases in the Civil Division of the Circuit Court, except those listed as exceptions under Rule 1.200(a). I. TRACK DETERMINATION No later than 120 days after an action commences as provided in Rule 1.050, each case to which this Administrative Order applies shall be reviewed to determine whether it is complex, streamlined, or general. A. 

[Excerpt — full text at the official source link.]