Sandra C. Upchurch

Revised April 9, 2026
PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES FOR CIVIL CASES IN
DIVISION 49
(Revised April 9, 2026)
Sandra C. Upchurch, Circuit Judge
Katie Smith, Judicial Assistant
Contact Information:
Mailing Address: Kim C. Hammond Justice Center
1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg 1
Bunnell, FL 32110
Telephone: (386) 313-4530
Email Address: kasmith@circuit7.org
I. Communication with the Judicial Office:
A. Method of Communications: All communications with the judicial chambers must be
submitted by email to kasmith@circuit7.org. Unless otherwise directed. The subject line of
any email to the judicial assistant MUST contain the county, case number, case name, and
relevant matter.
B. Ex Parte Communications: All communications 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 email directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte
communication is authorized by law.
C. Unsolicited Communications: The Court will not consider unsolicited communications from
non-parties to a case. Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these
practices and procedures.
D. E-Filing Portal Contact Information: All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make
and receive service by email through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused.
Communication with the judicial chambers shall be by telephone to (386) 313-4530 only if
excused from email service. The phone number to judicial chambers does not accept text
messages.
E. Response to Inquiries: The judicial assistant receives voluminous emails and phone calls daily
and strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one (1) business day If the judicial
assistant is unable to substantively respond within one business day, your message will be
acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and
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alternate contact for immediate assistance. When the judicial assistant is out of the office,
your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a
substantive response and an alternate contact for immediate assistance. Please DO NOT
contact the alternate contact with ANYTHING other than emergencies. ALL requests for
hearings and other non-emergency issues will be handled upon the Judicial Assistants’ return.
F. Communications with Judicial Assistant: The judicial assistant is not permitted to provide
legal advice. Any email sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to
disclosure. Do not include the judicial assistant in emails between parties that do not
request action from the judicial chambers.
II. Scheduling Procedures:
A. Court Schedule: Trials are scheduled for Division 49 beginning the third week of the month
for a two-week trial period, except for September, November, and December, which have a
one-week trial period.
Hearings are scheduled Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during non-trial weeks.
Scheduling Hearings:
All Hearings must be requested for scheduling through the judicial assistant by an email
copying opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant to kasmith@circuit7.org.
The subject line of any email to the judicial assistant must contain the county, case
number, case name, and relevant matter. (Ex.: Flagler County - 2024 CA 000123– John
Smith v. Jane Smith – 1 Hour Hearing Time Requested).
Once hearing dates are provided by the judicial assistant, the parties shall

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