Hon. Heather G. Guarch — Judicial Procedures
County Civil
Quick operational summary based on publicly available court procedure materials. Always verify with the official court source before relying on this information.
Quick Rules
UMC / Motion Calendar
Motions must be filed with the Clerk before requesting hearing time, and applicable meet-and-confer requirements must be satisfied first.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Hearing requests must be emailed to the Judicial Assistant with opposing counsel or self-represented parties copied and must include specified hearing information.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A hearing is not confirmed until the Judicial Assistant replies by email.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After confirmation, the requesting party must file a Notice of Hearing with the Clerk and properly notice all parties.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If counsel or a self-represented litigant does not cooperate in scheduling, the requesting party may set the hearing unilaterally with at least 14 days’ written notice, plus five days if mailed.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Default Final Judgment packets must be submitted to the Judge through the Clerk, with pleadings and affidavits properly filed, and a Word-format copy sent to the Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy copies may be delivered to Division 73’s drop box on the third floor in Room 370.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Small Claims parties must attend the telephonic or Zoom Pre-Trial Conference when service has been timely perfected.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Non-evidentiary hearings are virtual unless an in-person hearing is requested; evidentiary hearings and non-jury trials are in person unless otherwise ordered.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Proposed orders must be emailed in Word format; agreed orders must be marked “Agreed”; and supporting motion materials must be attached when applicable.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Special Set Hearings
Small Claims Pre-Trial Conferences may be continued only by Court Order.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Correspondence and emergency motions should be emailed to the Division email with opposing counsel or the self-represented opposing party copied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
An emergency motion must contain a detailed explanation of the emergency and be delivered to the Court before an emergency hearing will be set.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Parties must attempt in good faith to resolve discovery disputes before scheduling a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A discovery motion, motion to compel, or motion for protective order must be set for hearing, except that a proposed order may be submitted without a hearing when there is no response or objection to specified initial discovery requests.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
Hearings and trials cannot be cancelled unilaterally; cancellation requests must be directed to the Judicial Assistant with the reason provided.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Court communications must occur in open court with all parties present, in writing, by email copied to the opposing side, or through filing with the Clerk.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emails to the Court must include the case style, case number, and purpose in the subject line.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Self-represented litigants must file or mail motions to the Clerk, provide them to the other litigants or counsel, and must not fax them to the Clerk.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Self-represented litigants’ motions must include specified case and contact information, printed name, and signature.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For a non-jury trial request, the moving party must state the estimated time needed by all sides.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Aissata Diakite
JA Email
adiakite@ninthcircuit.orgPhone
407.836.2039Courtroom
370.06
Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther Orange County judges
- Hon. A. James CranerCircuit Criminal
- Hon. Adam McGinnisCounty Civil
- Hon. Alicia L. LatimoreJuvenile Division
- Hon. Alicia Peyton RobinsonDomestic Relations
- Hon. Amanda S. BovaCounty Criminal
- Hon. Amy J. CarterCounty Civil
