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 Lee W. Tsao

Judge Lee W. Tsao is a judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the state trial court for Los Angeles County, which handles a wide range of civil and criminal trial matters.

No judge-specific procedure documents are listed; practitioners should refer to the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Lee W. Tsao's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Lee W. Tsao?

Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Courtesy copies of motions are prohibited unless specifically requested by the court.

View ruleSource: page 2

Does Judge Lee W. Tsao require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Lee W. Tsao's rules set a pre-motion procedure for discovery. Counsel must meet and confer in person, by phone, or videoconference to resolve discovery disputes before filing discovery motions; written exchanges are insufficient.

View ruleSource: page 2

What page or word limits apply to brief before Judge Lee W. Tsao?

Judge Lee W. Tsao's rule states these limits: 3 pages. IDC briefs are limited to 3 pages, filed at least 5 days before the IDC.

View ruleSource: page 2

How may parties contact Judge Lee W. Tsao's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Lee W. Tsao's chambers by phone only as allowed by the rule. The rule lists phone (562) 345-3702. Courtroom C's telephone number is (562) 345-3702, with hours 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

View ruleSource: page 1

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Lee W. Tsao?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Motions must be filed within 3 business days of reserving a hearing date via the Court Reservation System, or the reservation is automatically cancelled.

View ruleSource: page 2
Complete rules summary for Judge Lee W. Tsao

Courtroom C's telephone number is (562) 345-3702, with hours 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Courtroom C's email address is Nordeptse-c@lacourt.org, with hours 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Motions must be filed within 3 business days of reserving a hearing date via the Court Reservation System, or the reservation is automatically cancelled.

Courtesy copies of motions are prohibited unless specifically requested by the court.

Counsel must meet and confer in person, by phone, or videoconference to resolve discovery disputes before filing discovery motions; written exchanges are insufficient.

Case management statements must be filed and served no later than 15 calendar days before the case management conference.

IDC briefs are limited to 3 pages, filed at least 5 days before the IDC.

If no court reporter is used at trial, parties must lodge a joint summary of the day’s proceedings by 8:30 a.m. on the next business day.

Parties must file joint FSC documents (jury statement, witness list, exhibit list, jury instructions, special verdict form) no later than 5 days before the Final Status Conference.

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