United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filing

Flatten every PDF, including fillable forms, before filing in CM/ECF.

“All documents, including fillable PDF forms, must be flattened before being filed in CM/ECF.”

Filing

Split any attachment or exhibit larger than 50 megabytes into separate segments of no more than 50 megabytes.

“An attachment or exhibit larger than 50 megabytes must be filed in separate 50-megabyte segments.”

Filing

Submit civil documents that are both ex parte and sealed, new sealed cases, and filings in existing sealed cases on paper to the clerk’s office.

“The following documents must be submitted to the Clerk’s Office in paper form, by mail or hand-delivery, regardless of e-filing status or whether the filer is a lawyer or pro se. 1. Documents in criminal cases that require the signature of a non- attorney, such as a grand jury foreperson or a third-party custodian. 2. Documents in civil cases that are both ex parte and sealed. 3. New sealed cases and all filings in existing sealed cases.”

Filing

In a Social Security disability appeal, plaintiff consent at case opening allows direct random assignment to a magistrate judge if the United States does not withdraw its consent.

“if a plaintiff consents at case opening, and if the United States does not withdraw its consent, the case shall be randomly assigned directly to a United States Magistrate Judge without the necessity of an Order of Reference.”

Motions

Notify the appropriate divisional clerk’s office when filing an emergency or time-sensitive motion.

“An E-filer must notify the appropriate divisional Clerk’s Office when filing an emergency or time-sensitive motion.”

Sealing

Serve sealed and ex parte documents by a permitted method outside CM/ECF; the electronic filing notice does not effect service.

“the filing party cannot rely on the NEF to effect service of these documents. Instead, the filing party must serve such documents by other appropriate means as provided by the Federal Rules of Procedure.”

Sealing

Seek leave of court before filing a highly sensitive document.

“Any party seeking to file an HSD must, before such filing, seek leave of court for such filing in the manner provided in paragraph 2(b).”