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

Hon. Patrick M. Hunt

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 Hunt — standing order

Only counsel of record may contact chambers. However, absent a true emergency, counsel of record shall not contact chambers to ask questions concerning the status of pending matters. Counsel shall not call chambers to seek an immediate ruling to address any dispute that arises during a deposition.

Settlement notification
👤 Judge Hunt — standing order

If a settlement is reached in your case, please immediately contact chambers and file a notice of settlement with the Court.

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 Hunt — standing order

Standard pathway: (1) Confer (in person or telephone); (2) after conferring, obtain permission from Judge Hunt's Chambers BEFORE filing motion; (3) file motion <=5 pages. Response: <=5 pages (by 5th business day); reply: <=5 pages (by 3rd business day). 30-day filing deadline from trigger. Court sets discovery conference if warranted. Counsel shall not call chambers to seek an immediate ruling during a deposition.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Hunt — deviations that burn people
  • - Counsel shall not call chambers to seek an immediate ruling during a deposition.
  • - Plaintiff may NOT make a rebuttal during opening statements (consent trial cases).
  • - Mediation required in all civil cases; counsel must submit proposed order referring to mediation.
  • - Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law required in bench trials (filed and submitted electronically).
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment