IN THE COUNTY COURT, EIGHTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA.

IN RE:               

                                                                                                CASE NO.:    

                        Plaintiff,                                                          DIVISION: 

and

                        Defendant.

___________________________/    

ORDER SETTING CASE FOR MEDIATION AND/OR FINAL HEARING

(Residential Eviction – Possession and Damages)

1.     The Court hereby sets this action for mediation on ____[date and time] ___________________ at the Alachua County Courthouse Family and Civil Justice Center, 201 East University Avenue, Suite 303, Gainesville, Florida 32601. There shall be no charge to the parties for the mediation.

2.     The defendant is required to deposit $                         into the registry of the county court, civil division by                                                       .  If the entire deposit is not made by the required date and time, a judgment for possession will be entered and the mediation will be canceled. The eviction will continue without delay.  If the landlord is seeking back rent and damages, the defendant should keep the court informed of any new address for future court appearances.

3.     The Clerk of the Court will charge a fee for the registry transaction. The fee is based on the amount to be deposited and is calculated as follows: 3 percent on the first $500 and 1.5 percent on each dollar over $500. Payments to the registry of the court must be cash, cashier’s check, money order, or certified check. Personal checks and credit cards will not be accepted.  Cashier’s checks, money orders, or certified checks should be made payable to Clerk of the Court.

4.     Be prepared to present any information or papers that will support your side of the case. If the mediation process does not result in settlement of all issues in the case, the parties shall proceed immediately to the chambers of the Honorable Judge____________, Suite ___, Alachua County Courthouse Family and Civil Justice Center, for final hearing on all unresolved issues.

5.     Each of the following must be physically present at the mediation:

                     A)  Each party, or, if the party is not a natural person, a representative of the party having full authority to settle without further consultation; and

                     B)  The party=s attorney, if any.

6.     If the money is deposited, failure of any of the above to appear may result in the entry of a default or dismissal of the action by the court. Money deposited to the registry may be forfeited if the defendant fails to appear for mediation.

7.     If there are any questions about mediation, please call the Mediation Services Coordinator at (352) 491-4645.

DONE AND ORDERED at Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida, on the _____ day of _______, 2008.

                                                                                __________________________________

                                                                        County Judge

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished by U.S. Mail or hand delivery to [plaintiff(s)] [plaintiff(s) address], [defendant(s)] [defendant’s address], and Janet K. Hearn, Mediation Services Coordinator, 201 East University Avenue, Suite 303, Gainesville, Florida, 32601 this ______ day of ______________, 2008.

                                                                                 __________________________

                                                                                 Judicial Assistant

If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.  Persons with a disability who need any accommodation in order to participate should call Jan Phillips, ADA Coordinator, Alachua County Courthouse Family and Civil Justice Center, 201 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601 at (352) 337-6237 within two (2) working days of your receipt of this notice; if you are hearing impaired, call (800) 955-8771; if you are voice impaired, call (800) 955-8770.