Court Rules

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 188 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 60
  • Applies to
    Joint isc statement

    Upon assignment to Department 11, an ISC Order stays all proceedings and the parties must submit a joint ISC statement as directed in that Order.

  • Applies to
    Joint status conference statement

    The parties must file a joint statement outlining recent progress in the case before every status conference.

  • Applies to
    Bulletin board posting

    Parties must make joint bulletin board postings rather than unilateral postings, which are treated as prohibited ex parte communications.

Filing Timing

All 28
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    The joint status conference statement must be filed at least five court days before every status conference.

  • The Court's order scheduling an IDC stays any deadline to file a motion to compel under CCP 2016.080(c)(2).

  • The Court cannot shorten the notice period for summary judgment/adjudication motions, though it may hear such motions fewer than 30 days before trial.

Communication

All 20
  • Contact
    Phone to chambers
    Phone
    (213) 310-7011

    To reserve a hearing date for a motion, a party must telephone the Courtroom Assistant at (213) 310-7011.

  • Contact
    Phone to chambers

    The moving party must notify the Court as early as possible that a matter will go off calendar under CRC 3.1306(b), by posting the announcement on the e-service bulletin board and telephoning the courtroom.

  • Contact
    Phone

    Parties at an impasse during a deposition may telephone the courtroom at (213) 310-7011 to arrange an immediate conference call with the Court.

Pre-Motion Conferences

All 18

  • For discovery disputes (other than deposition impasses), parties may request an informal conference by making a joint posting on the e-service bulletin board.

  • Before preparing an ex parte application for emergency relief, parties must post a joint request for an informal conference on the e-service bulletin board and contact courtroom staff to obtain a time and date.

  • Parties must meet and confer twice by telephone or video before requesting an IDC, and are expected to extend motion-to-compel deadlines to accommodate the process.

More categories

View all Los Angeles Superior Court rules
About Judge Sabina A. Helton

Judge Sabina A. Helton 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 Sabina A. Helton's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for trial documents and motion in limines. Details: 2 copies, delivery at final status conference. Counsel must provide the Court with 2 trial notebooks (one with all trial documents, one with all motions in limine and the summation page) brought to the Final Status Conference.

View ruleSource: page 4, section TRIAL INFORMATION

Does Judge Sabina A. Helton require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's rules set a pre-motion procedure for motions, oppositions, and replys. Motion hearing dates must be reserved via the Court Reservation System; oppositions and replies are due per statute.

View ruleSource: page 1, section HEARINGS (Dates/Start Times/Procedures)

What page or word limits apply to trial brief before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's rule states these limits: 5 pages. The separate trial brief filed with the joint trial documents may not exceed 5 pages.

View ruleSource: page 4, section TRIAL INFORMATION

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Judge Sabina A. Helton's formatting rule includes clean format with all changes and modifications applicable to the case incorporated, no brackets, no blank spaces, and no multiple options (e.g., he/she, him/her) in the instruction. Jury instructions must be submitted in clean format with all case-specific changes incorporated and no brackets, blank spaces, or alternative wording options.

View ruleSource: page 4, section TRIAL INFORMATION

What must be included with final status conference appearance filings before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Trial attorneys must appear in person for Final Status Conferences and trials.

View ruleSource: page 2, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

What must be included with remote testimony appearance filings before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Remote testimony via LACC must be by video, not telephone.

View ruleSource: page 2, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

How may parties contact Judge Sabina A. Helton's chambers?

The rule addresses email communications with Judge Sabina A. Helton's chambers. Email communication with the court is prohibited unless explicitly directed by the court.

View ruleSource: page 2, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include proposed rescheduled date. Continuances may only be requested by Stipulation & Order or ex parte application; telephone continuances are prohibited.

View ruleSource: page 2, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

Is electronic filing required before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before and do not require a CRS reservation.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

Are filing fees or waivers addressed before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

A fee is required for covered filings. Jury fees must be paid daily before trial starts by check payable to 'L.A.S.C.', and the trial will not proceed without payment.

View ruleSource: page 5, section TRIAL INFORMATION

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Sabina A. Helton?

The rule states a 10:00 AM filing cutoff. Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before the hearing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section HEARINGS (Dates/Start Times/Procedures)
Complete rules summary for Judge Sabina A. Helton

Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before the hearing.

Ex parte applications must be eFiled by 10:00 a.m. the court-day before and do not require a CRS reservation.

Only self-represented litigants may file ex parte applications in person at the Clerk's Office on the day of the hearing.

Motion hearing dates must be reserved via the Court Reservation System; oppositions and replies are due per statute.

Courtesy copies are required only if requested by the Court.

Trial documents must be eFiled 10 days before the Final Status Conference.

Judgments must be submitted via eFiling and are held for 15 days for objections.

Continuances may only be requested by Stipulation & Order or ex parte application; telephone continuances are prohibited.

Email communication with the court is prohibited unless explicitly directed by the court.

Tentative rulings are posted on the court website by 4:30 p.m. one day before the hearing.

Telephonic and video appearances are permitted through LA CourtConnect, except for Final Status Conferences and trials.

Trial attorneys must appear in person for Final Status Conferences and trials.

Remote testimony via LACC must be by video, not telephone.

Counsel must provide remote witnesses with copies of exhibits before trial or default prove up proceedings.

A moving party may take a motion off calendar through CRS or by calling the clerk.

Attorneys must check in at the courtroom with one attorney card showing the calendar number and party represented.

All motions in limine must be filed 10 days before the Final Status Conference hearing; late-filed motions in limine will not be considered and will be heard at the Final Status Conference.

Each motion in limine filing must include a separate summation page listing each motion's number and title.

Oppositions and replies to motions in limine must be timely filed before the Final Status Conference hearing date.

Parties must meet and confer and file a list of joint trial documents (statement of case, motions in limine, witness list, exhibit list, jury instructions, special verdict form, and separate trial brief) 10 days before the Final Status Conference or trial date.

The separate trial brief filed with the joint trial documents may not exceed 5 pages.

Jury instructions must be submitted in clean format with all case-specific changes incorporated and no brackets, blank spaces, or alternative wording options.

Counsel must provide the Court with 2 trial notebooks (one with all trial documents, one with all motions in limine and the summation page) brought to the Final Status Conference.

Separate exhibit books must be provided for the judge, clerk, witness, and counsel, and brought at the start of trial.

Exhibits must be pre-marked with the exhibit number before the trial date, and each page of each exhibit must display a page number.

Counsel must deliver original exhibits to the Clerk and exhibit copies for the Court, witness stand, and opposing counsel, brought on the first day of trial.

Jury fees must be paid daily before trial starts by check payable to 'L.A.S.C.', and the trial will not proceed without payment.

Plaintiff's counsel must call Department S27 at (562) 256-2227 by 3:00 p.m. on the court day before trial to confirm the trial is going forward.

Sanctions may be imposed against each counsel who fails to notify the court, before a prospective jury panel is requested, that the trial will not proceed due to settlement or dismissal.

Parties may display exhibits from personal devices in Department S27 but must supply their own HDMI/VGA/adapter cables (not provided by court staff) and are encouraged to test audio/visual equipment with court staff before trial.

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