Judge Maureen Duffy-Lewis
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Chambers Drop Off • At Final Status Conference
Binding: Three Ring Binder
Ex Parte Application, Supporting Documentation
- Chambers Drop Off • Same Day As Efiling
Exhibit Binders
- 3 copies • On First Day Of Trial
Joint Trial Notebook, Joint Exhibit Notebook
- 2 copies • At Final Status Conference
Communication
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-wideClerk
Document Format Requirements5 rules
Special jury instructions must be submission-ready containing only the instruction number, title, and text, with no boxes or other indication on the printed instruction as to the requesting party.
The parties/counsel shall prepare any special instructions in a format ready for submission to the jury with the instruction number, title, and text only (i.e. there should be no boxes or other indication on the printed instruction itself as to the requesting party).
Motions in limine (when there are multiple) must be submitted in a tabbed, indexed three-ring binder with the e-filed motions arranged in numerical order.
Multiple (more than 1) Motions in Limine should be tabbed and indexed and submitted in a three-ring binder containing copies of those motions in limine e-filed by each party in numerical order and grouped with corresponding opposition and reply.
Motions-in-limine must be tabbed, indexed, and submitted in a 3-ring binder containing e-filed copies in numerical order, grouped with corresponding opposition and reply.
Multiple motions-in-limine should be tabbed and indexed and submitted in a 3-ring binder containing copies of those motions e-filed by each party in numerical order and grouped with corresponding opposition and reply.
Multiple motions-in-limine should be numbered consecutively.
Exhibits must be pre-marked using numbers (plaintiff's typically starting at 001 and defendant's at 101), and each page of a multi-page exhibit must be Bates numbered sequentially (e.g., 'Ex 1-05').
Pursuant to L.A. County Court Rules 3.52 and 3.53, the exhibits must be pre-marked using numbers. It is not uncommon for plaintiff’s exhibits to start at 001 and defendant’s to start at 101. In stances where an exhibit consists of multiple pages, each page must be “Bates” numbered sequentially. For example, if Exhibit 1 has 5 pages, “Ex 1-05” would be the fifth page of Exhibit 1.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Each motion-in-limine caption must concisely identify the evidence the moving party seeks to preclude.
The caption of each motion-in-limine shall concisely identify the evidence that the moving party seeks to preclude.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
All joint documents must be served, signed, and filed.
The parties must serve, sign and file all joint documents.
Document Type
Joint Documents
Each party must file a trial brief identifying the claims and defenses, major legal issues with supporting authorities, relief claimed and damages calculation, and any other information assisting the Court at trial.
Each party/counsel shall file a trial brief succinctly identifying: 1. The claims and defenses subject to litigation 2. The major legal issues (with supporting points & authorities) 3. The relief claimed and calculation of damages sought 4. Any other information that may assist the Court at Trial.
Document Type
Trial Brief
In jury trials, the parties must jointly prepare, sign, and file a written statement of the case for the Court to read to the jury.
For jury trials, the parties/counsel shall work together to prepare and file a joint written statement of the case for the Court to read to jury (L.A. County Court Rule 3.25(g)(4)). The parties/counsel shall sign the joint statement, and all other joint documents.
Document Type
Joint Statement Of Case
Parties must jointly file a numerically organized list of proposed jury instructions identifying agreed and contested instructions, with instruction settling occurring after the close of evidence but before closing arguments.
The parties/counsel shall jointly prepare and file a list of proposed jury instructions, organized in numerical order, specifying the instructions upon which all sides agree and the contested instructions, if any. Settling of jury instructions will occur after the close of evidence but before closing arguments.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions List
Parties must jointly file a proposed general or special verdict form acceptable to all sides; if they cannot agree, each party must separately file a proposed verdict form.
The parties/counsel shall prepare and jointly file a proposed general verdict form or special verdict form (with interrogatories) acceptable to all sides (L.A. County Rule 3.25(g)(8)). If the parties/counsel cannot agree on a joint verdict form, each party must separately file a proposed verdict form.
Document Type
Proposed Verdict Form
By closing, counsel must have prepared a complete set of full-text proposed jury instructions edited to insert party names and eliminate blanks, brackets, and irrelevant material.
At closing, counsel shall then have prepared a complete set of full-text proposed jury instructions, editing all proposed California Civil Jury Instructions and inserting party name(s) and eliminating blanks, brackets and irrelevant material.
Document Type
Full Text Jury Instructions
Parties must jointly file an alphabetical witness list identifying each witness by full name, expert status, estimated direct/cross/re-direct examination length, and total testimony hours, and witnesses not on the list may be excluded absent good cause.
The parties/counsel shall work together to prepare and file a joint list of all witnesses arranged alphabetically by last name. The joint witness list shall identify each witness by full name, specify which witnesses are experts, estimate the length of the direct, cross examination and re-direct examination of each, and include a total of the number of hours for all witness testimony. Any party/counsel who seeks to elicit testimony from a witness not identified on the witness list may have that witness excluded absent a showing of good cause.
Document Type
Joint Witness List
Parties must file a joint exhibit list with five required columns (exhibit, offering party, stipulation status, identification date, admission date) and must meet & confer before filing regarding stipulations to authenticity/admissibility and any objections.
The parties/counsel shall prepare and file a joint exhibit list organized with columns identifying: (1) the exhibit, (2) the party offering the exhibit, (3) whether there is a stipulation to authenticity and/or admissibility of the exhibit, (4) the date on which the exhibit was identified in court and (5) the date on which the exhibit was admitted. Prior to filing the joint exhibit list, the parties shall meet & confer to determine whether they will stipulate to the authenticity and/or admissibility of each exhibit or whether there are objections to
Document Type
Joint Exhibit List
After the case-in-chief, counsel must prepare a complete set of full-text proposed jury instructions without edits.
After the case-in-chief, counsel to prepare a complete set of full-text proposed jury instructions without edits.
Document Type
Full Text Jury Instructions
Counsel appearing via LA Court Connect must download the Court's 6-page Case Management Order for Department 412 from the Court's website prior to the Case Management Conference.
Counsel appearing via LA Court Connect to download the Court's 6-page Case Management Order for Department 412 prior to the CMC available online at Superior Court of Los Angeles County | Home by clicking the "View" link under "Department 412."
Document Type
Case Management Order
The Case Management Order must be printed out and completed along with the Court during the Case Management Conference.
Print out the Case Management Order and complete along with the Court during the Case Management Conference.
Document Type
Case Management Order
The joint exhibit list must be signed by the parties/counsel.
The parties/counsel shall sign the joint exhibit list.
Document Type
Joint Exhibit List
On the joint exhibit list, the objecting party must specify all objections in the respective column.
the objecting party shall specify all objections in the respective column.
Document Type
Joint Exhibit List
Tab J of the trial binder must contain copies of the current operative pleadings: the operative complaint, answer, cross-complaint, and answer to any cross-complaint.
TAB “J” – Copies of the Current Operative Pleadings The operative complaint, answer, cross-complaint and answer to any cross-complaint.
Document Type
Copies Of Current Operative Pleadings
Parties intending to use deposition or former trial testimony in lieu of live testimony must meet and confer and jointly file a chart containing page/line designations, objections, counter-designations, responses, and the Court's ruling.
If the parties/counsel intend to use deposition testimony or former trial testimony in lieu of any witnesses’ live testimony, the parties/counsel shall meet & confer and jointly prepare and file a chart for each of the following: (1) the page and line designations of the deposition or former testimony requested for use (2) objections (3) counter-designations (4) and responses thereto and (5) the Court’s ruling.
Document Type
Deposition Testimony Designation Chart
Parties must prepare a Joint Trial Notebook and Joint Exhibit Notebook by the FSC date following the instructions in Department 412's Courtroom Information Sheet, with a referenced deadline of at least five court days prior to the FSC.
At least five (5) court days prior to FSC. Please see described in Department 412's Courtroom Information Sheet, under “3. Final Status Conference,” pp. 1-2) for instructions on the preparation of Joint Trial Notebook and Joint Exhibit Notebook by the FSC date.
Document Type
Joint Trial Notebook And Joint Exhibit Notebook
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All papers must be filed online through the Court's website unless the Court orders otherwise.
All papers to be filed online at the Court's website at Superior Court of Los Angeles County | Home, unless ordered otherwise by the Court.
Page 1 | FILINGS
In court trials, the Joint Proposed Special Verdict Form must be prepared by counsel and lodged directly in Department 412 (no e-filing) before the matter is taken under submission.
Joint Proposed Special Verdict Form to be prepared by counsel and lodged directly in Department 412 (no e-filing) before the matter will be taken under submission.
Page 5 | TRIAL PROCEDURES - COURT TRIALS
CRS reservation dates cannot be adjusted or changed telephonically; continuances or cancellations of law & motion matters must be made through CRS.
Dates reserved on CRS cannot be adjusted or changed telephonically. CRS must be utilized to continue or cancel any law & motion matters.
Page 18 | LAW & MOTION
All motions must be reserved through the Court Reservation System (CRS) on the Court's website at www.lacourt.ca.gov under 'Online Services, Court Reservation System.'
All motions must be reserved via Court Reservation System (CRS) on the Court's website at www.lacourt.ca.gov under “Online Services, Court Reservation System.”
Page 18 | LAW & MOTION
Ex parte applications must be e-filed.
Ex parte's are to be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day prior to the actual ex parte hearing date.
Page 20 | EX PARTES
Reserved law & motion dates that go unused must be removed in a timely manner via CRS.
Reserved dates that go unused and not removed in a timely manner via CRS are problematic as they create
Page 18 | LAW & MOTION
Parties should avoid reserving multiple law & motion dates for the same motion in CRS.
Please avoid reserving multiple law & motion dates for the same motion.
Page 18 | LAW & MOTION
Oppositions to ex parte applications may be filed either electronically or by hand delivery into Department 412.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be e-filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Opposition to ex parte applications may be either e-filed or hand-delivered to Department 412.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be electronically filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Page 20 | EX PARTES
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Ex parte applications must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before the ex parte hearing date.
Ex parte's are to be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day prior to the actual ex parte hearing date.
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Oppositions to ex parte applications must be filed no later than 8:30 a.m. on the hearing date, either by e-filing or hand delivery to Department 412.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be e-filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Before filing motions-in-limine, parties must comply with the CCP Section 1005 notice provisions and L.A. County Court Rule 3.57(a).
Before filing motions-in-limine, the parties/counsel shall comply with the statutory notice provisions of CCP Section 1005 and the motions-in-limine requirements of L.A. County Court Rule 3.57(a).
Page 7 | TAB B: MOTIONS-IN-LIMINE
Deposition transcripts and discovery responses must be lodged with the Court the evening before the witness's scheduled testimony the following day.
Deposition transcripts and discovery responses shall be lodged with the Court the evening prior to scheduled testimony of any particular witness the following day.
Page 13 | USE OF DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPTS AND DISCOVERY RESPONSES
All parties must provide the court a joint statement within 10 days confirming mediation completion.
All parties are to provide to court a joint statement within 10 days confirming mediation completion.
Page 19 | MEDIATION/ADR
All parties must provide the court a joint statement within 10 days confirming MSC completion.
All parties are to provide to court a joint statement within 10 days confirming MSC completion.
Page 20 | MANDATORY SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE (MSC)
Opposition to ex parte applications must be filed no later than 8:30 a.m. on the hearing date.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be electronically filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Page 20 | EX PARTES
The parties must meet and confer in person at least 5 court days before the FSC to exchange and prepare the Joint Trial Notebook and Joint Exhibit Notebook.
At least five (5) court days prior to FSC, the parties should meet & confer in person to exchange discuss and prepare a Joint Trial Notebook and Joint Exhibit Notebook.
Page 7 | FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Exhibits must be exchanged between the parties at least five (5) calendar days before the Final Status Conference.
The exhibits must be exchanged at least five (5) calendar days before the FSC.
Page 11 | TAB H: JOINT EXHIBIT LIST
Before reading any deposition, interrogatory, or request for admission into evidence, the party must notify the Court and opposing counsel of the specific page/line or number ranges to be read or shown to the witness.
Before the reading into evidence of any portion of a deposition, interrogatory or request for admission, the party shall advise the Court and opposing party/counsel of the page and line number of the deposition, or the numbers of the interrogatories or requests for admission to be read or shown to the witness (L.A. County Court Rule 3.158).
Page 13 | USE OF DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPTS AND DISCOVERY RESPONSES
A copy of any PowerPoint slides must be shared with opposing counsel before the presentation, leaving sufficient time to object.
If a PowerPoint is to be used, a copy of the slides must be shared with opposing counsel prior to the presentation leaving sufficient time to object.
Page 13 | DISPLAY OF DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE
The parties stipulate to email notice and service for the duration of the litigation.
Parties stipulate to email notice and service during this litigation.
Page 21 | OTHER ORDERS/INFORMATION - NOTICE
Counsel must supply exhibit binder(s) to each opposing party unless the exhibits were exchanged electronically.
Counsel must also supply an exhibit binder(s) to each opposing party if not exchanged electronically.
Page 11 | TAB H: JOINT EXHIBIT LIST
Notice may be given by serving a completed copy of the case management order, with the service method left blank in the form.
is to be given by by serving a completed copy of this Order.
Page 21 | OTHER ORDERS/INFORMATION - NOTICE
Notice of the case management order is waived, and parties are to receive a copy of the Order.
NOTICE: is waived. Parties to receive a copy of this Order.
Page 21 | OTHER ORDERS/INFORMATION - NOTICE
Courtesy notice of the order is given by FAX or E-mail to all counsel who appeared via CourtCall.
Notice is given as a courtesy by FAX / E-mail to all counsel who appeared via court call by .
Page 21 | OTHER ORDERS/INFORMATION - NOTICE
Filing Fees and Waivers
Jury fees must be paid on a daily basis, with the judicial assistant advising the amount owed each day.
Fees must be paid on a daily basis. The judicial assistant will advise you how much is owed each day.
Page 7
The initial jury fee deposit should be made prior to the case management conference.
Initial jury fee deposit should be made prior to the case management conference.
Page 7
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Motions-in-limine three-ring binders must be lodged directly in Department 412 at the FSC.
Three-ring binders to be lodged directly in Department 412 at the FSC.
Page 7 | TAB B: MOTIONS-IN-LIMINE
At least three tabbed, marked, and paginated sets of exhibit binders (for the Court, the Judicial Assistant, and the Witness) are required on the first day of trial.
At least three sets of exhibit binders – tabbed, marked and paginated – are required on the first day of Trial: a set for the Court, the Judicial Assistant and for the Witness.
Page 11 | TAB H: JOINT EXHIBIT LIST
The tabbed three-ring binder of motions in limine must be lodged directly in Department 412 at the Final Status Conference.
Three-ring binder to be lodged directly in Department 412 at the Final Status Conference (FSC).
Page 18 | TRIAL DATE
Courtesy copies of ex parte applications and supporting documentation are requested to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the day of e-filing.
Courtesy copies of ex parte application and supporting documentation are requested to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the day of e-filing.
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Courtesy copies of moving papers, oppositions, replies, and supporting evidence are requested (not mandatory) to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the same day as e-filing.
A courtesy copy of the moving papers, opposition, reply, and any supporting evidence are requested to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the same day of e-filing.
Page 3 | LAW & MOTION
Two sets of completed Joint Trial Notebook and Joint Exhibit Notebook must be brought to the FSC, with the Joint Trial Notebook tabbed A-K.
Two sets of completed Joint Trial Notebook(s) and Joint Exhibit Notebook(s) should be brought to the FSC with Joint Trial Notebook(s) tabbed A-K as follows:
Page 7 | FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE
Filing Bundling Requirements
When a party has more than one motion in limine, the motions must be tabbed, indexed, and bundled in a three-ring binder containing copies of the e-filed motions in limine in numerical order, grouped with corresponding oppositions and replies.
Multiple (more than 1) Motions in Limine should be tabbed and indexed and submitted in a three-ring binder containing copies of those motions in limine e-filed by each party in numerical order and grouped with corresponding opposition and reply.
Page 18 | TRIAL DATE
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Remote (LA Court Connect) appearances are not permitted for Department 412 IDCs without prior leave of court; all interested parties must appear in person.
LA Court Connect appearances are not allowed for Department 412 IDC's without prior leave of court. All interested parties must appear in-person in Department 412.
Page 5 | DISCOVERY
Before booking an IDC, the requesting party must contact all necessary participants and obtain three dates when all can be physically present in Department 412.
Requesting party to first reach-out to all necessary participants and obtain three (3) dates when all can be physically present in Department 412 for the IDC.
Page 21 | DISCOVERY
The Court offers a voluntary in-person Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) for discovery disputes, and all interested parties must appear in person in Department 412.
To assist in the speedy resolution of actual and potential discovery disputes, the Court is willing to conduct an in-person voluntary Informal Discovery Conference (IDC). All interested parties must appear in-person in Department 412.
Page 21 | DISCOVERY
The Court offers a voluntary, in-person Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) to resolve discovery disputes before a motion hearing is pursued.
To assist in the speedy resolution of actual and potential discovery disputes, the Court is willing to conduct an in-person voluntary Informal Discovery Conference (IDC).
Page 5 | DISCOVERY
Only if discovery issues remain unresolved after the IDC may counsel reserve the first available hearing date on the Court's Online Reservation System (CRS).
In the event discovery issues are not resolved, counsel may then reserve the first available hearing date on the Court's Online Reservation System (CRS).
Page 5 | DISCOVERY
If discovery issues are not resolved (e.g., at the IDC), counsel may reserve the first available hearing date on the Court's Online Reservation System (CRS).
In the event discovery issues are not resolved, counsel may then reserve the first available hearing date on the Court’s Online Reservation System (CRS).
Page 21 | DISCOVERY
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
All law & motion hearing dates must be reserved through the Court Reservation System (CRS), and reserved dates cannot be adjusted or changed telephonically — CRS must be used to continue or cancel any law & motion matters.
All motions must be reserved via Court Reservation System (CRS) on the Court's website at Superior Court of Los Angeles County | Home under "Online Services, Court Reservation System." Dates reserved on CRS cannot be adjusted or changed telephonically. CRS must be utilized to continue or cancel any law & motion matters.
Page 3 | LAW & MOTION
A continuance of a law & motion hearing on the Court's own motion affects only the hearing date; opposition and reply filing deadlines remain based on the original hearing date unless the Court orders otherwise.
applies ONLY to the actual hearing date on the motion. Filing deadlines for all moving papers (e.g. opposition and reply) remain based on the ORIGINAL hearing date, UNLESS otherwise agreed to by the Court.
Page 5 | CONTINUANCE OF LAW & MOTION HEARING DATE ON COURT'S OWN MOTION
Requests to continue a trial may only be made via ex parte application.
TRIAL CONTINUANCES: May only be addressed via ex parte.
Page 5 | TRIAL CONTINUANCES
Department 412 may accept telephonic continuances of non-trial, non-law & motion matters on a case-by-case basis by calling (213) 633-0158.
Department 412 may accept telephonic continuances of non-trial related and non-law & motion matters on a case-by-case basis by contacting Department 412 directly at (213) 633-0158.
Page 1 | CONTINUANCES
Counsel should avoid reserving multiple law & motion dates for the same motion and should promptly remove unused reserved dates via CRS.
Please avoid reserving multiple law & motion dates for the same motion. Reserved dates that go unused and not removed in a timely manner via CRS are problematic as they create calendar availability issues for other pending cases.
Page 3 | LAW & MOTION
Chambers Communication Rules
Remote appearances at trial require prior Court approval, and if approved, counsel must arrange the appearance via Zoom and provide any necessary link to the Court by email.
Any proposed remote appearances must be pre-approved by the Court prior to Trial. If approved, remote appearance to be arranged by counsel via ZOOM with any necessary link provided to the Court via email.
Page 13 | WITNESS AVAILABILITY
The requesting party must call the Courtroom Assistant (Nancy Del Real) at (213) 633-0158 to book one of the three proposed IDC dates.
Requesting party to then contact the Courtroom Assistant (Nancy Del Real) to book one (1) of the three IDC dates at (213) 633-0158.
Page 21 | DISCOVERY
To schedule an IDC, the requesting party must first obtain three dates when all participants can attend in person, then call the Courtroom Assistant at (213) 633-0158 to book one of them.
Requesting party to first reach-out to all necessary participants and obtain three (3) dates when all can be physically present in Department 412 for the IDC. Requesting party to then contact the Courtroom Assistant to book one (1) of the three IDC dates at (213) 633-0158.
Page 5 | DISCOVERY