At a Glance
S.D. Fla. — Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Southern District of Florida.
Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Southern District of Florida.
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Font | L.R. 5.1(a)(4) | 12-point minimum, including footnotes and quotations. |
| Margins | L.R. 5.1(a)(4) | 1 inch on all sides. |
| Spacing | L.R. 5.1(a)(4) | 1.5 spacing minimum; single spacing for block quotes (50+ words) and footnotes. |
| Page limit — motions | L.R. 7.1(c)(2) | 20 pages (motion + memo combined). |
| Page limit — opposition | L.R. 7.1(c)(2) | 20 pages. |
| Page limit — reply | L.R. 7.1(c)(2) | 10 pages. |
| Hearings | L.R. 7.1(b) | No hearing unless set by the Court; must request in 'Request for Hearing' section. |
| 90-day stale motion rule | L.R. 7.1(b)(4) | If fully briefed 90 days with no hearing/ruling, file 'Notice of Ninety Days Expiring' within 14 days. |
| Opposition due | L.R. 7.1(c)(1) | 14 days after service of motion. |
| Reply due | L.R. 7.1(c)(1) | 7 days after service of opposition. |
| Conferral required | L.R. 7.1(a)(3) | Yes — orally or in writing, before filing most motions; certification required. |
| Discovery filing rule | L.R. 26.1(b)-(c) | NOT filed until used in proceeding. |
| Privilege log deadline | L.R. 26.1(e)(2)(D) | Within 14 days of production/response. |
| Bates stamping | L.R. 26.1(e)(6) | Required — each page individually numbered. |
| Discovery motion deadline | L.R. 26.1(g)(2) | Within 28 days of triggering event. |
| SMF required (SJ)? | L.R. 56.1(a)-(b) | Yes — separate document, 10 pages. |
| Opponent's SMF (SJ) | L.R. 56.1(b)(2) | 10 pages response + 5 pages additional facts; first word must be 'disputed' or 'undisputed'. |
| Mediation | L.R. 16.2(d)(1) | Mandatory in most civil cases. |
| Courtesy copies | L.R. 5.1(c) | Not permitted unless requested by the judge's office. |
| Proposed orders | L.R. 7.1(a)(2) | Required — attach as exhibit via CM/ECF + email Word version to judge. |
| Pro hac vice fee | Court Fee Schedule | $250 per attorney, per case. |
| Local counsel required (PHV) | Attorney Admission Rule 4(b) | Yes — SDFL bar member who is an authorized CM/ECF filer. |
| PHV limit | Attorney Admission Rule 4(b) | More than 3 PHV motions in 365 days = presumed general practice. |