Circuit Civil
The Circuit Civil Division hears cases with damages in excess of $50,000 filed by an individual, business or
government agency. The Circuit Civil Division has jurisdiction over a broad category of cases, including
foreclosures, tort actions, contract disputes, products liability issues, malpractice matters, and infringements of
intellectual property. Twenty three circuit judges and one general magistrate are assigned to hear cases in the
Circuit Civil Division. Nineteen judges preside over regular Circuit Civil sections; two division judges preside
over Complex Business Litigation (Sections 43 and 44). One division judge is assigned to a Back-up Division 59 which
hears the longer, complex, multi-issue, multi-party and multi-attorney jury trials assigned to them by the
Administrative Judge. The judges and support personnel of this division are located at the Dade County
Courthouse.
The Complex Business Litigation Division was created in 2006 to address the
overwhelming number of complex business cases filed in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. The purpose of the
division is to promote the orderly and efficient disposition of complex business matters. The Division consists
of support staff, case manager, court clerk and legal staff, two dedicated judges and a backup judge.
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The ICA Court was created in response to a heightened demand for an alternative forum
for resolving international disputes involving commercial transactions, and was the result of a collaborative
effort among international law firms, the Florida Bar, the Florida legislature, the business community and the
Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.
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Foreclosure is the enforcement of a mortgage lien by judicial sale of the property. A
mortgage lien is created when there is a loan contract for money borrowed under a note. This loan is secured by
the mortgage lien upon real property. When the debt is not paid according to the loan contract terms, or when
other contract terms are violated, the lender can pursue its lien on the property.
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Historically, with the exception of cases that qualify as Complex Business Litigation,
case management techniques are customized to each judge’s specification and requirements in circuit civil
cases. Division Judges have individual trial calendars, individual motion calendars, and special set hearing
times.
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County Civil
County Civil Updates
- Effective June 5, 2023, pursuant to AO23-31 the County Civil Division has implemented a new blind filing process. Please
note that your selection of a specific branch location when filing does not mean your case will be assigned
to that specific branch court. Please refer to the Judicial Section to determine where your case was filed
and where it will be heard.
- On January 1, 2023, the County Court jurisdictional threshold will increase from $30,000 to $50,000. Filers
are still required to include a civil cover sheet specifying the dollar amount in dispute in cases exceeding
$8,000 in value.
- Administrative Memorandum - County Court Civil Division Covid-19 Amended Operations
Plan, Effective January 31, 2024
County Civil Judges have jurisdiction over Contract and Indebtedness cases up to $50,000, Landlord Tenant/Eviction
cases, Small Claims and debt collection cases (amounts up to $8,000), Auto negligence, Condominium and Personal
Injury Protection cases $8,001 to $50,000. Judicial caseloads include: water damage remediation cases, declaratory
judgment actions, complex commercial litigation, cases of statutory construction, post-judgment issues including
garnishments and sanctions, voluminous discovery motions, evidentiary hearings on issues of expert testimony and
applying standards set by the Florida Supreme Court and legislature.
The County Judges assigned to this division preside over civil matters at seven different court locations in
Miami-Dade County, including the Dade County Courthouse. Coral Gables Courthouse, North Dade Justice Center, South
Dade Government Center, Hialeah, Joseph Caleb Center and Miami Beach Branch Courts.
Programs and Services