WHEREAS, this administrative order is entered in accordance with the chief judge’s duties and responsibilities as set forth in Article V, section 2, Florida Constitution; Rule 2.215, Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration;

       NOW THEREFORE, I, JAMES R. CLAYTON, Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, hereby order as follows:

1. Circuit and county court judges are expected to take no more than 30 working days of annual leave per calendar year. For the purposes of this administrative order, “annual leave” is defined as “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 or leave to serve on court committees.

2. Before any judicial annual leave is taken, each judge must notify the chief judge of his/her intention to take judicial annual leave and must indicate the number of working days of annual leave he/she expects to take. If annual leave in excess of 30 working days is anticipated, the notification must include a statement demonstrating good cause.  The chief judge or chief judge’s designee shall maintain records of these notifications.

3. Each judge shall maintain a record of the specific days he/she actually takes as annual leave, medical leave and/or parental leave. These records must be in a form that will allow examination at the request of the chief judge.  If actual annual leave taken by a judge exceeds 30 working days in any calendar year, that judge shall immediately notify the chief judge.  Notification must be in writing and include a listing of each day taken as annual leave, and the reason(s) for taking more than 30 days.

4. Judicial medical leave and parental leave is as set forth and pursuant to the latest Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order regarding this matter.

5. Each judge must ensure that provisions are made for the satisfactory discharge of his/her judicial responsibilities during annual leave absences.

TO BE RECORDED in Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties.

DONE AND ORDERED in DeLand, Volusia County, Florida this 27^th day of September 2022.