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.
(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.