Local Rules - document from the Supreme Court of Florida
General magistrates shall be appointed from those attorneys resident within the circuit in the number that the Chief Judge deems necessary for the efficient administration of the court. General magistrates shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Judge and may hear uncontested dissolution of marriage proceedings and the other matters that may be properly referred to them. This rule shall not prevent any party from having a dissolution of marriage heard before the assigned judge if the party so elects. The Chief Judge may appoint special magistrates as provided in Rule 1.490(b).
For the purposes of this Rule, “annual leave” means “time away from judicial duties to provide opportunities for rest, relaxation and personal pursuits.” Annual leave does not encompass sick leave, educational leave, military leave, leave to serve on court committees, or other leave in the furtherance of justice. The taking of annual leave shall not interfere with the efficient administration of a judicial officer’s docket. Before any judicial annual leave is taken, each judge must notify the Chief Judge of his or her intention to take judicial annual leave and must indicate the specific date(s) for which annual leave is to be used. When a judge is absent on annual leave, ex-parte and emergency matters in actions assigned to that division may be presented to another judge designated by the assigned judge or pursuant to Rule 4(b).