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 Salvatore Sirna

Judge Salvatore Sirna is a judge on the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the state trial court serving Los Angeles County.

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

Common questions about Judge Salvatore Sirna's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Salvatore Sirna?

Courtesy-copy rule applies for exhibits. Details: 3 copies, delivery first day of trial. Three copies of all exhibits (3-ring binder format) must be provided on the first day of trial — one for the Court, the clerk, and the witness stand.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Jury Trial Filing Requirements (CACI Jury Instructions, Special Verdict, Exhibit List, Witness List, Trial Briefs, Statement of the Case)

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

Judge Salvatore Sirna's formatting rule includes file format docx. Special verdict forms must be in MS Word (DOCX) format.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Section F2

What must be included with motion in limine filings before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Motions in limine must be in writing and numbered.

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTIONS IN LIMINE

What must be included with joint jury instructions filings before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Parties must file a joint CACI jury instruction document listing all requested instructions by CACI number, including a same-document list of instructions requested by one party and objected to by the other, without printing instruction text.

View ruleSource: page 1, section Jury Trial Filing Requirements (CACI Jury Instructions, Special Verdict, Exhibit List, Witness List, Trial Briefs, Statement of the Case)

How may parties contact Judge Salvatore Sirna's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge Salvatore Sirna's clerk. The rule lists phone (909) 802-1104. Department G's clerk (Melissa Vasquez) and court assistant (Londie Olmos) can be reached at (909) 802-1104.

View ruleSource: page 5, section TRIAL PROCEDURES - Department G

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request. Trial continuance requests are disfavored and must show good cause, include a statement that all experts, percipient witnesses, and principals will be available on the proposed trial date, and — if mediation has not occurred — a date certain for mediation with the mediator's name.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUESTS FOR A TRIAL CONTINUANCE

Does Judge Salvatore Sirna require motion papers to be bundled?

Yes. Judge Salvatore Sirna requires bundling for covered papers. Exhibits must be placed in a 3-ring binder.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Section F3d

Is electronic filing required before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Proposed special verdict forms must be submitted to the clerk via email in MS Word format.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Jury Trial Filing Requirements (CACI Jury Instructions, Special Verdict, Exhibit List, Witness List, Trial Briefs, Statement of the Case)

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

The rule addresses filing timing, filing status, or cure windows. Counsel must meet and confer before the FSC to prepare joint trial documents, which must be filed five court days before the FSC.

View ruleSource: page 1, section FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE ORDER (Sections A-G)

What rule applies to service for motion in limine before Judge Salvatore Sirna?

The rule addresses service method, recipient, or timing requirements. Details: recipient: the opposing party. Motions in limine must be filed and served on opposing parties in accordance with Local Rule 3.25(f)(2).

View ruleSource: page 1, section MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Complete rules summary for Judge Salvatore Sirna

Counsel must meet and confer before the FSC to prepare joint trial documents, which must be filed five court days before the FSC.

Trial continuance requests are disfavored and must show good cause, include a statement that all experts, percipient witnesses, and principals will be available on the proposed trial date, and — if mediation has not occurred — a date certain for mediation with the mediator's name.

Motions in limine must be in writing and numbered.

Motions in limine must be filed and served on opposing parties in accordance with Local Rule 3.25(f)(2).

Each motion in limine must be accompanied by a declaration representing that the motion was discussed with opposing counsel, or it will be summarily denied.

In jury trials, all required jury trial documents (CACI instructions, special verdict, exhibit list, witness list, trial briefs, statement of the case) must be filed five court days before the FSC.

Parties must file a joint CACI jury instruction document listing all requested instructions by CACI number, including a same-document list of instructions requested by one party and objected to by the other, without printing instruction text.

Counsel are urged to agree on a special verdict, and if they cannot, each counsel must submit a proposed special verdict form.

Proposed special verdict forms must be submitted to the clerk via email in MS Word format.

Parties must file a joint exhibit list on the attached form, with exhibits numbered rather than designated by letters.

Each exhibit must be separately identified and Bates stamped; bulk exhibits are prohibited and each page of a multi-page exhibit must be consecutively paginated.

Blow-ups of exhibit portions will not be identified or marked as sub-parts and typically will not be admitted into evidence.

Counsel must exchange exhibits at least ten days before the FSC, with exhibits placed in a 3-ring binder.

Three copies of all exhibits (3-ring binder format) must be provided on the first day of trial — one for the Court, the clerk, and the witness stand.

Parties must submit a joint witness list on the attached form including witness name, brief description of testimony, time estimates for direct and cross, potential scheduling problems, and any special requirements such as an interpreter.

Trial briefs are mandatory in all cases and must describe claims, defenses, and issues; stipulated facts; major evidentiary issues with points and authorities; relief claimed with a breakdown of damages elements; and any other information assisting the Court.

Parties must file a Joint Statement of the Case to be read to the jury.

At the final status conference, plaintiff's and cross-complainant's counsel must deliver copies of the operative pleadings to the Court and be prepared to state on the record the claims to be pursued at trial, with possible sanctions for noncompliance.

Department G's clerk (Melissa Vasquez) and court assistant (Londie Olmos) can be reached at (909) 802-1104.

Trial continuance requests are disfavored, require good cause, and must include specified statements about the proposed date and mediation.

Motions in limine must be in writing, numbered, and filed/served per Local Rule 3.25(f)(2).

Motions in limine must include a declaration with a certificate of conference, else will be summarily denied.

Special verdict forms must be submitted to the clerk via email in MS Word format.

Special verdict forms must be in MS Word (DOCX) format.

Exhibits must be placed in a 3-ring binder.

Three copies of all exhibits must be provided on the first day of trial for the court, clerk, and witness stand.

Counsel must exchange exhibits at least 10 calendar days before the Final Status Conference (FSC).

Exhibits must be separately identified, Bates stamped, consecutively paginated, no bulk exhibits, and blow-ups are not admitted.

Trial briefs are mandatory and must include specified sections on claims, facts, evidence, and relief.

Joint witness lists must include name, testimony description, time estimates, scheduling issues, and special requirements.

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