Hon. Howard M. Maltz — Judicial Procedures
Circuit 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
Do not schedule a hearing on an unfiled motion, and file the notice of hearing immediately after securing hearing time.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Benchmark hearings may not be scheduled for more than one hour; longer hearings must be scheduled through the judicial assistant, and unauthorized longer hearings will be stricken.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not schedule multiple motions in the same case at non-sequential times on the same day.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Reserve sufficient hearing time for all parties; hearings with insufficient time will be stricken and continued.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not notice a different motion at the same time as another scheduled hearing without the reserving party’s consent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
Copy all parties on emails directed to the judicial office unless ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For motions exceeding 15 pages including attachments, the movant must deliver a hard-copy chambers copy no later than 10 business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A chambers copy of any legal memorandum or opposition response must be delivered to the judge no later than 10 business days before the hearing, regardless of length.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Hearings of at least one hour or evidentiary hearings must be attended in person; non-evidentiary hearings under one hour may be attended in person or through authorized audio-video technology.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
Submit agreed, non-hearing matters with a motion and proposed order stating that all parties agreed to the relief.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Send proposed orders by email as Word attachments with the required subject line and case information; do not file them through the e-filing portal or send them as PDFs.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After a hearing where the judge did not announce a ruling, submit a proposed order only if the court requested one.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Emergency-motion hearings are unilaterally scheduled by the court and must be attended in person by counsel and necessary witnesses unless the court permits otherwise.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Discovery Disputes
Unless there was a complete failure to respond or object, a motion to compel must quote each discovery request at issue and the full allegedly insufficient response or objection and grounds; attaching the materials alone is insufficient.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
For a complete failure to respond to discovery, a party may use Administrative Order CV-22-004-SC to seek an order compelling discovery without a hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Cancellations
A motion to cancel or reschedule a foreclosure sale must be received at least five business days before the sale, served on all parties, state specific reasons, and include supporting documentation.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
After a hearing is cancelled, file a Notice of Cancellation and immediately notify the judicial assistant; only the scheduling party may cancel.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
A motion to withdraw must be served on all parties and the client, state the reasons for withdrawal, and include the client’s last known address; a hearing is required absent written client consent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion to substitute counsel must comply with Rule 2.505 and contain the client’s written consent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Opposition responses or memoranda may not exceed 20 typewritten pages without leave of court, and replies are not permitted absent leave.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Motions must comply with Rule 1.202 conferral requirements; noncompliant motions may be summarily denied.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
To set a case for trial, file a Rule 1.440-compliant Notice of Trial and send a copy to chambers; specify any agreed trial term, whether the trial is jury or non-jury, and the expected trial length.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Susan Miller
Phone
(904) 827-5600Courtroom
Rm. 365
Official Page
Court WebsiteLast Verified
June 30, 2026
Official Sources
Source: Official court page or published division procedure material.
Official court pageDivision procedures pageOther St. Johns County judges
- Hon. Alexander R. Christine, Jr.County Court
- Hon. Benjamin J. RichCounty Criminal
- Hon. Casey L. WoolseyCounty Criminal
- Hon. Christopher FerebeeCircuit Criminal
- Hon. Howard O. McGillin, Jr.Probate
- Hon. Kenneth J. Janesk, IIFamily Division
