Rule 12.003. COORDINATION OF RELATED FAMILY CASES

RULE 12.003. COORDINATION OF RELATED FAMILY CASES

AND HEARINGS

(a)

Assignment to One Judge.

(1)

All related family cases must be handled before one

judge unless impractical.

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(2)

If it is impractical for one judge to handle all related

family cases, the judges assigned to hear the related cases involving

the same family and/or children may confer for the purpose of case

management and coordination of the cases. Notice and

communication shall comply with Canon 3.B.(7) of the Code of

Judicial Conduct. The party who filed the notice of related cases or

the court may coordinate a case management conference under rule

12.200 between the parties and the judges hearing the related

cases. In addition to the issues that may be considered, the court

shall:

(A)

consolidate as many issues as is practical to

be heard by one judge;

(B)

coordinate the progress of the remaining

issues to facilitate the resolution of the pending actions and to

avoid inconsistent rulings;

(C)

determine the attendance or participation of

any minor child in the proceedings if the related cases include a

juvenile action; and

(D)

determine the access of the parties to court

records if a related case is confidential pursuant to Florida Rule of

General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.420.

(b)

Joint Hearings or Trials.

(1)

The court may order joint hearings or trials of any

issues in related family cases.

(2)

For joint or coordinated hearings, notice to all

parties and to all attorneys of record in each related case shall be

provided by the court, the moving party, or other party as ordered

by the court, regardless of whether or not the party providing notice

is a party in every case number that will be called for hearing.

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