judge console · S.D. Fla.
S.D. Fla. · Judge Gayles · Practice Guide

Hon. Darrin P. Gayles

Verified 2026-06-25verify at the court's site ↗

All local rules for S.D. Fla., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Include 'ex parte' in title and explain reasons for ex parte treatment; filing restricted from public view (public docket reflects only that a restricted filing was made) S.D. Fla. L.R. 5.4(d)(1) ↗

Contacting chambers
👤 Judge Gayles — standing order

Email address (for proposed orders or jury instructions): gayles@flsd.uscourts.gov. Counsel may contact chambers, including the courtroom deputy and/or the law clerks, regarding procedures that are specific to Judge Gayles, scheduling a hearing, or the status of pending matters. Chambers will not answer questions regarding procedures that are otherwise governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and/or the Local Rules for the Southern District of Florida.

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule
Motion

20 pages maximum for motion and incorporated memorandum S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2) ↗

Opposition

20 pages maximum for opposing memorandum S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2) ↗

Reply

10 pages maximum for reply memorandum S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(2) ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule
Notice period

Opposition due 14 days after service; reply due 7 days after opposition S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(c)(1) ↗

Hearing days

No hearing held unless set by the court S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(1) ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Required for listed routine motions and for all emergency, ex parte, and TRO motions; Word format emailed to chambers per CM/ECF Admin. Procedures §3I(6) S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(a)(2) ↗

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Request hearing within motion or opposition in a separate titled section S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(2) ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 S.D. Fla. local rule

Discovery motions may be referred to and heard by the assigned magistrate judge S.D. Fla. L.R. 7.1(b)(3) ↗

Discovery dispute procedure
👤 Judge Gayles — standing order

All discovery referred to paired magistrate. Judge's page references 'Judge Goodman Discovery Procedures' (PDF attached to judge page). Verify actual paired magistrate from case scheduling order -- referenced magistrate may differ from judge page attachment.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Gayles — deviations that burn people
  • - Out-of-county counsel (outside Miami-Dade and Broward Counties) may appear by telephone for status conferences and calendar calls with prior permission.
  • - In-county counsel are expected to appear in person.
  • - Substantive motions always require in-person appearance regardless of location.
  • - Court expressly states it will not set a pretrial conference.
  • - Discovery referral references 'Judge Goodman Discovery Procedures' (PDF attached to judge page) -- verify actual paired magistrate from case scheduling order.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment