Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 640 rules apply across Los Angeles Superior Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 155
  • Applies to
    Electronic filing
    Must include
    electronic signature

    All electronic filings must comply with California Rules of Court Rule 2.257 (electronic signature requirements).

  • Applies to
    Referee report

    Referee reports for pretrial matters must include a place for the judge to enter an order if accepted.

  • Applies to
    Paternity questionnaire

    Paternity questionnaire must be completed by mother and father and filed with the court in all dependency cases.

Filing Timing

All 137
  • Electronic filings received between 12:00 am and 11:59:59 pm on a court day are deemed filed that day; filings on non-court days deemed filed next court day.

  • If e-filing fails due to service interruption, non-filer transmission error, or post-receipt processing failure, the court may order the document deemed filed as of the attempted transmission date.

  • Deadline
    1 calendar days

    Ex parte applications and supporting documents must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

Service

All 93
  • Service
    Other to other

    Parties must file documents with court and provide copies to temporary judge/referee.

  • Applies to
    Laciv 109 copy
    Service
    Other to opposing party

    Copy of completed LACIV 109 form must be served with summons and complaint or petition.

  • Applies to
    Motion to relate cases
    Service
    Other

    Motions to relate cases must be served on all parties listed in the Notice of Related Cases with proof of service attached.

E-Filing

All 58
  • Represented litigants must electronically file all documents through an approved Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP).

  • Certain document types (peremptory challenges, bonds, trial exhibits, certain ex parte applications, conditionally sealed documents) are prohibited from electronic filing.

  • Applies to
    Notice of lodgment

    Notice of Lodgment must be electronically filed; attachments to Notice of Lodgment must be lodged in paper form.

About Judge Michael E. Whitaker

Judge Michael E. Whitaker is a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the state trial court serving Los Angeles County.

This judge's procedures are published through the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Michael E. Whitaker's rules

What page or word limits apply to joint statement informal discovery conference before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

Judge Michael E. Whitaker's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Joint statements for Informal Discovery Conferences are limited to 5 pages.

View ruleSource: page 8, section 11. Discovery

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

Judge Michael E. Whitaker's formatting rule includes binding tabbed 3-ring, one-sided copies, tabbed in numerical order, and colored separator sheets between moving, opposition, and reply papers. Motions in Limine Binders must be three-ring bound, tabbed, one-sided, and lodged 5 calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

View ruleSource: page 16, section 14. Trial Preparation Orders – Bench and Jury Trials

What must be included with motion in limine filings before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

The rule requires caption. Motions in limine captions must identify excluded evidence, be numbered consecutively, and opposition/reply papers must reference the motion number in their caption.

View ruleSource: page 16, section 14. Trial Preparation Orders – Bench and Jury Trials

How may parties contact Judge Michael E. Whitaker's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Michael E. Whitaker's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone 310-281-2427. Parties are prohibited from calling chambers to inquire about document status; status checks must be done via the court website.

View ruleSource: page 3, section 3. Electronically Lodged Documents Which Require Action by the Court

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

Judge Michael E. Whitaker's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. Continuances of motion hearing dates must be ordered by the Court; rescheduling on the Court Reservation System alone is insufficient.

View ruleSource: page 5, section 10. Motions

Is electronic filing required before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Mandatory e-filing required for motions, oppositions, and replies; self-represented litigants are exempt.

View ruleSource: page 6, section 10. Motions

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

A fee is required for covered filings. Jury fees must be paid no later than 365 calendar days after filing the initial complaint.

View ruleSource: page 5, section 9. Jury Fees

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

The rule states a 10:00 a.m. filing cutoff. Ex parte applications and supporting documents must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 9, section 13. Ex Parte Applications

What rule applies to service for CMC statement before Judge Michael E. Whitaker?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties, timing: 15 calendar days before hearing. CMC statements must be served on all attorneys and self-represented parties no later than 15 calendar days before the CMC.

View ruleSource: page 2, section 5. Case Management Conferences
Complete rules summary for Judge Michael E. Whitaker

CMC statements must be served on all attorneys and self-represented parties no later than 15 calendar days before the CMC.

Mandatory e-filing required for motions, oppositions, and replies; self-represented litigants are exempt.

Ex parte applications and supporting documents must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.

Written oppositions to ex parte applications must be e-filed by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing.

E-filed documents may take 1-2 business days to appear on the court’s docket after submission.

Summonses, complaints, and cross-complaints must be served within 60 days of filing.

CMC statements must be filed and served on all parties no later than 15 calendar days before the CMC.

Joint Status Conference reports must be filed no later than 5 court days before the conference.

Joint statements for Informal Discovery Conferences are limited to 5 pages.

Jury fees must be paid no later than 365 calendar days after filing the initial complaint.

Continuances of motion hearing dates must be ordered by the Court; rescheduling on the Court Reservation System alone is insufficient.

Parties are prohibited from calling chambers to inquire about document status; status checks must be done via the court website.

Motions in Limine Binders must be three-ring bound, tabbed, one-sided, and lodged 5 calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

Exhibit Binders must be three-ring bound, tabbed, internally paginated, one-sided, and five sets must be prepared.

Trial Binders must be three-ring bound, tabbed, one-sided, include a table of contents, and be lodged 5 calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

Motions in limine captions must identify excluded evidence, be numbered consecutively, and opposition/reply papers must reference the motion number in their caption.

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