Administrative Order Viewer

In the Circuit Court of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit
in and for Desoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties, Florida

Administrative Order No. 2023-15.12

(amends and supersedes 2019-9.12)

On April 12, 2019, the Supreme Court of Florida issued Administrative Order No. AOSC19-19, In re: Cases Involving the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (the Convention) is a mechanism for parents seeking the return of children who have been wrongfully removed or retained from their country of habitual residence.

In accordance with the Convention, a person whose custody rights have been breached by the wrongful removal or retention of a child under the age of sixteen (16) may petition to the appropriate court where the child is located. Once an application for return has been filed, the court is required to act expeditiously in the proceedings for the return of the child.

It is the intent of the Florida State Courts System to better protect children from the effects of their wrongful removal through the establishment of a network of Florida judges who develop expertise in this important area of law.

This court entered Administrative Order 2019-9.2, designating the undersigned with primary responsibility for handling Convention cases filed in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. It has become necessary to designate this important responsibility to other Circuit Judges.

Therefore, it is ordered, pursuant to the power vested in the chief judge under article V, section 2(d), Florida Constitution and Rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration, and in accordance with Administrative Order No. AOSC 19-19, I hereby designate the following Circuit Judges with primary responsibility for handling Convention cases filed with the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, effective immediately:

• The Honorable Maria M. Ruhl – Sarasota and DeSoto County
• The Honorable Charles Sniffen – Manatee and DeSoto County

Administrative Order 2019-9.12 is hereby amended and superseded by this order. This Administrative Order is effective upon signing.

Done and ordered in chambers in Manatee County, Florida, this 11 day of August 2023.

Diana L. Moreland
Chief Judge