Hon. R. Lee Smith — 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
Coordinate hearings among all counsel, schedule them through Benchmark, and obtain court consent before scheduling less than 10 days before the hearing date.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not schedule a hearing on an unfiled motion; file the notice of hearing immediately after securing hearing time.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Schedule no more than one hour on Benchmark; hearings requiring more than one hour must be scheduled through the judicial assistant.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Courtesy Copies
When hearing motions exceed 15 pages including attachments, the movant must deliver a hard-copy chambers copy to the Court at least 10 business days before the hearing.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
If submitting legal memoranda or opposition responses, deliver a chambers copy to the judge at least 10 business days before the hearing, regardless of length.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Zoom Hearings
Attend hearings of one hour or longer and evidentiary hearings in person; non-evidentiary hearings shorter than one hour may be attended in person or through approved audio-video technology.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Participants who interrupt proceedings or create a distraction may be disconnected, and persons joining after the hearing begins may not be admitted.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Proposed Orders
For unopposed consent orders that do not require a hearing, state in the motion and proposed order that all parties agreed to the relief and submit the order electronically under paragraph 6.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Email proposed orders to division59@circuit7.org with the subject line “Proposed Order,” the case style and number; attach the order in Word format and do not file it through the e-filing portal or send it as a PDF.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Emergency Motions
Attend emergency-motion hearings in person 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 item at issue and the full allegedly insufficient response or objection and grounds; attaching the discovery 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
When a hearing is canceled, file a Notice of Cancellation, immediately notify the judicial assistant, and only the scheduling party may cancel it.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Other
Copy all parties on emails directed to the judicial office unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Do not include the judicial assistant on party-to-party emails that do not request judicial-office action.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion to substitute counsel must comply with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.505 and include the client’s written consent.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Opposition responses or memoranda may not exceed 20 typewritten pages without leave of Court; replies are prohibited absent leave of Court.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
All motions must meet Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.202 conferral requirements.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
To set a case for trial, file a Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.440-compliant Notice of Trial and send a copy to chambers; identify any agreed trial term, jury or non-jury status, and expected trial length.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Summary-judgment motions and responses must comply with the timing requirements of Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.510 and the Uniform Case Management Order; unauthorized replies are not permitted.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
A motion to continue a trial must comply with Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.460 and Rule 2.545(e), and parties must not assume consent makes a continuance automatic.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Notify the judicial assistant if a case set for trial settles.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Witness testimony at hearings or trial must be in person unless authorized by Court order; a motion for remote testimony must comply with Rule 2.530, and the witness must receive the Court’s Zoom procedures.
Verified Aug 10, 2026
Contact Information
Judicial Assistant
Traci Davis
Phone
(904) 827-5606Official 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 M. MaltzCircuit Civil
- Hon. Howard O. McGillin, Jr.Probate
