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 Shirley K. Watkins

Judge Shirley K. Watkins is a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the state trial court for Los Angeles County. The court handles a wide range of civil, criminal, family, and probate matters.

Judge Watkins's procedures are published through the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Shirley K. Watkins's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

Courtesy copies are required for exhibit books. Details: 5 copies, delivery before trial, by hand delivery. Five sets of tabbed and indexed exhibit books must be delivered to Department T for trial.

View ruleSource: page 6, section Final Status Conference Orders

Does Judge Shirley K. Watkins require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Shirley K. Watkins's rules set a pre-motion procedure for CMC statements. Meet and confer per CRC 3.724 and 3.727 is required prior to each Case Management Conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES

What must be included with proposed order filings before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

The rule requires proposed order. Parties seeking a private court reporter must submit a proposed order designating the reporter as official.

View ruleSource: page 3, section COURT REPORTERS

What must be included with motion filings before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

The rule requires proposed order. Proposed orders are required for all motions.

View ruleSource: page 5, section PROPOSED ORDERS

How may parties contact Judge Shirley K. Watkins' chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Shirley K. Watkins' chambers by email only as allowed by the rule. Parties may not email the courtroom without prior court approval; courtroom email is not regularly monitored.

View ruleSource: page 3, section EMAILS

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

Judge Shirley K. Watkins's rules specify what an adjournment or extension request must include. The request must include reason for request. Trial continuances require a noticed motion, ex parte application, or stipulation and order with a mandatory good cause declaration.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CONTINUANCES

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

A fee is required for covered filings. A filing fee is required for trial continuances.

View ruleSource: page 2, section CONTINUANCES

Is electronic filing required before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Complaints, answers, petitions, and responses must be separately filed; attorneys must efile these documents.

View ruleSource: page 2, section COMPLAINTS AND ANSWERS AS ATTACHMENTS

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

The rule states that filing is treated as not specified. Complaints and answers cannot be deemed filed as an attachment to another document.

View ruleSource: page 2, section COMPLAINTS AND ANSWERS AS ATTACHMENTS

What rule applies to serving all parties before Judge Shirley K. Watkins?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: all parties, timing: 1 calendar days before hearing. Ex parte applicants must notify all parties by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte appearance per CRC 3.1203.

View ruleSource: page 3, section EX PARTE APPLICATIONS
Complete rules summary for Judge Shirley K. Watkins

A filing fee is required for trial continuances.

Complaints, answers, petitions, and responses must be separately filed; attorneys must efile these documents.

Complaints and answers cannot be deemed filed as an attachment to another document.

Case Management Conference statements must be filed no later than 15 calendar days before the CMC per CRC 3.725.

Meet and confer per CRC 3.724 and 3.727 is required prior to each Case Management Conference.

Trial continuances require a noticed motion, ex parte application, or stipulation and order with a mandatory good cause declaration.

Parties seeking a private court reporter must submit a proposed order designating the reporter as official.

The proposed order for a private court reporter must be received by the court before the hearing.

Ex parte applicants must notify all parties by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte appearance per CRC 3.1203.

Proposed orders are required for all motions.

Parties may not email the courtroom without prior court approval; courtroom email is not regularly monitored.

Jury fees must be paid or a waiver obtained 30 days before trial.

Jury fee payments or waiver requests must be filed 30 days before trial.

Depositions must be lodged before trial with a Notice of Lodging Depositions.

Motions in Limine must be filed 16 court days (business days) before the FSC hearing.

Joint Witness List must be filed by the Final Status Conference.

Joint Exhibit List with DATE ID'd and DATE ADMITTED columns must be filed by FSC.

Joint Statement of the Case must be filed by the Final Status Conference.

Proposed Verdict Form must be filed by the Final Status Conference.

List of jury instructions must be filed by the Final Status Conference.

Five sets of tabbed and indexed exhibit books must be delivered to Department T for trial.

Proposed Juror Questionnaires (if requested) must not include questions about jurors' residences.

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