FL-MD — Filing & Service

M.D. Fla. uses CM/ECF for electronic filing. L.R. 1.01(c) authorizes the court to prescribe electronic filing procedures by administrative order. Bar membership requires CM/ECF registration. L.R. 2.01(b)(1)(G): membership requires "registration with the Middle District's CM/ECF system."

• Bar membership prerequisite. Active membership in good standing in The Florida Bar is required for regular bar admission. L.R. 2.01(b)(1)(A).
• Maintaining membership. Members must maintain current telephone number, mailing address, and email address with the clerk. L.R. 2.01(b)(2)(B).
• Proof of service deadline. L.R. 1.10(a): "Within twenty-one days after service of a summons and complaint or receipt of a waiver, a party must file proof of service or the waiver."
• Application for default deadline. L.R. 1.10(b): "Within twenty-eight days after a party's failure to plead or otherwise defend, a party entitled to a default must apply for the default."
• Application for default judgment deadline. L.R. 1.10(c): "Within thirty-five days after entry of a default, the party entitled to a default judgment must apply for the default judgment or must file a paper identifying each unresolved issue — such as the liability of another defendant — necessary to entry of the default judgment."
• Failure to act. L.R. 1.10(d): "Failure to comply with a deadline in this rule can result in dismissal of the claim or action without notice and without prejudice."
• Deposition and subpoena notice. L.R. 3.04: "A deposition by oral examination or written questions and a subpoena duces tecum require fourteen days' written notice to the deponent or responding person."
• Removed actions. The removing party must file a legible copy of each paper docketed in state court with the notice of removal. A motion pending in state court when removed is denied without prejudice. L.R. 1.06(b), (c).
• No notice of unavailability. L.R. 3.08(c): "A lawyer or pro se party must not file a 'notice of unavailability,' 'motion for protection,' or a similar paper."