Los Angeles Superior Court Filing Timing and Cure Windows

CRITICALCivil cases

Papers for a reserved matter must be filed within 3 days of making the reservation or the reservation will be cancelled.

Be mindful that papers for a reserved matter must be filed within 3 days of making the reservation, or else the reservation will be cancelled.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties with a fee waiver may request a court reporter for a hearing by completing Los Angeles Superior Court Form FW-020 and filing it in the Clerk’s Office at least 10 days before the hearing (or as soon as possible). The clerk will notify the requesting party if a court reporter is available. This notification may occur on the day of your hearing or trial. If no court reporter is available that day, your hearing may be continued.

Parties with a fee waiver may request a court reporter for a hearing by completing Los Angeles Superior Court Form FW-020 and filing it in the Clerk’s Office at least 10 days before the hearing (or as soon as possible). The clerk will notify the requesting party if a court reporter is available. This notification may occur on the day of your hearing or trial. If no court reporter is available that day, your hearing may be continued.

CRITICALCivil cases

Case Management Conference Statements must be filed fifteen days before the Case Management Conference, and failure to comply with Cal. Rules of Court rules 3.724 and 3.725 may result in sanctions of up to $250 per violation.

The parties must then file Case Management Conference Statements fifteen days prior to the Case Management Conference (preferably a joint statement), describing the nature of the case, when discovery will be completed ("per code" or "TBD" does not assist the Court in assigning a trial date for your case), and any agreements the parties have reached (see 19(b) of the Statement). A failure to comply with Cal. Rules of Court, rules 3.724 and 3.725 may subject the offending counsel to sanctions of up to $250 per violation. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.30.)

CRITICALCivil cases

Deadline

5 calendar days

Trial Readiness Documents must be served and filed at least five calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

At least five calendar days prior to the Final Status Conference, the parties shall serve and file the following Trial Readiness Documents:

CRITICALCivil cases

Before filing motions in limine, parties must comply with the notice provisions of Code of Civil Procedure section 1005 and Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rule 3.57(a).

Before filing motions in limine, the parties shall comply with the statutory notice provisions of Code of Civil Procedure section 1005 and the requirements of the Superior Court, Los Angeles County, Local Rules, rule 3.57(a).

CRITICAL

Parties must meet and confer and submit the required trial documents five court days before the final status conference.

The parties must meet and confer and submit the following documents FIVE COURT DAYS BEFORE THE FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE.

CRITICAL

A trial brief must be served and filed no later than the final status conference.

A trial brief must be served and filed no later than the final status conference.

CRITICAL

Written oppositions to motions in limine may be served and filed no later than the final status conference.

A written opposition to a motion in limine may be served and filed no later than the final status conference.

CRITICAL

Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the court five court days before the final status conference.

Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the court five court days prior to the final status conference.

CRITICAL

6. MOTIONS IN LIMINE. Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the court five court days prior to the final status conference. A written opposition to a motion in limine may be served and filed no later than the final status conference. Replies are not required but may be served and filed no later than the Friday preceding the trial date. The court does not rule on motions in limine until the first day of trial. Motions in limine should not be used to seek summary judgment, summary adjudication of issues, or judgment on the pleadings.

6. MOTIONS IN LIMINE. Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the court five court days prior to the final status conference. A written opposition to a motion in limine may be served and filed no later than the final status conference. Replies are not required but may be served and filed no later than the Friday preceding the trial date. The court does not rule on motions in limine until the first day of trial. Motions in limine should not be used to seek summary judgment, summary adjudication of issues, or judgment on the pleadings.

CRITICAL

All exhibits referenced in the Exhibit List must be exchanged and/or reviewed by counsel or the parties before the Final Status Conference.

All items so referred to in the Exhibit List must be exchanged and/or reviewed by each counsel or the parties prior to the FSC.

CRITICAL

Settled actions require e-filing Request for Dismissal or Notice of Settlement at least 2 court days before FSC to waive appearance.

If the action is settled or otherwise resolved before the FSC, no appearance will be necessary as long as either a Request for Dismissal of the entire action or a Notice of Settlement under California Rules of Court Rule 3.1385 is electronically filed with this Court at least two (2) court days before the scheduled FSC.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Jury trial documents (motions in limine, trial briefs, joint lists, statements, instructions, verdict forms) must be filed 10 calendar days before FSC; exempt parties may use paper.

For all jury trials, the following documents shall be filed electronically at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC. Exempt parties may file the following documents either electronically or by conventional means (i.e., printed copies on paper) at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC. a. Motions in Limine (if any), b. Trial Briefs, c. Joint Witness List, d. Joint Exhibit List, e. Joint Statement of the Case, f. Joint Jury Instructions, g. Joint Verdict Form, and,

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be brought to Court on the first day of trial.

Exhibits must be brought to Court on the first day of trial.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Court trial FSC documents must be filed at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC.

For all Court trials, the following documents shall be filed electronically at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC.

CRITICAL

Parties intending to use discovery at trial must exchange written particulars no later than 10 court days before the Final Status Conference.

If the parties intend to use any discovery during trial, the parties must exchange in writing no later than 10 court days prior to the FSC the particulars of any such discovery.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 calendar days

Oppositions to motions in limine must be in writing, numbered, and served and electronically filed by represented parties at least 5 calendar days before the FSC.

An opposition to any motion in limine must be in writing, numbered, and served and electronically filed by represented parties at least five (5) calendar days prior to the FSC.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Jury trial FSC documents must be filed at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC.

For all jury trials, the following documents shall be filed electronically at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Motions in limine must be filed at least 10 calendar days before the Final Status Conference, and untimely motions may not be considered.

All motions in limine, if any, must be in writing, numbered, and shall be served on all opposing parties and counsel and electronically filed at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC. Untimely motions may not be considered.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Court trial documents (motions in limine, trial briefs, joint witness/exhibit lists) must be filed 10 calendar days before FSC; exempt parties may use paper.

For all Court trials, the following documents shall be filed electronically at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC. Exempt parties may file the following documents either electronically or by conventional means (i.e., printed copies on paper) at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC. a. Motions in Limine (if any), b. Trial Briefs, c. Joint Witness List, and d. Joint Exhibit List.

CRITICAL

The Request for Dismissal or Notice of Settlement must be filed at least two (2) court days before the scheduled FSC.

a Request for Dismissal of the entire action or a Notice of Settlement under California Rules of Court Rule 3.1385 is electronically filed with this Court at least two (2) court days before the scheduled FSC

CRITICAL

No later than 10 court days before the FSC, all parties must submit to the judge a list of all deposition and discovery response excerpts to be used at trial (except impeachment), along with any stipulations to admissibility.

All parties shall submit to the judge no later than 10 court days before the FSC a list of all excerpts from depositions and other discovery responses to be used at trial except for impeachment, along with any stipulations to their admissibility.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 calendar days

The motions in limine notebook must be submitted at least 2 calendar days before the FSC, and late notebooks may result in the motions not being considered.

The notebook shall be submitted at least two (2) calendar days prior to the FSC. Late filed notebooks may result in the motions not being considered.

CRITICAL

Deadline

2 calendar days

Trial binders must be lodged with the Court at least 2 calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

For all jury trials, the parties/counsel shall jointly prepare and lodge a trial binder with the Court at least two (2) calendar days before the FSC

CRITICAL

No later than five (5) court days before the Final Status Conference, the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall file and serve the following documents:

No later than five (5) court days before the Final Status Conference, the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall file and serve the following documents:

CRITICAL

All trial exhibits must be exchanged 10 court days prior to the Final Status Conference.

No later than ten (10) court days before the Final Status Conference, the parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall exchange all exhibits they intend to introduce at trial.

CRITICAL

No later than ten court days before the Final Status Conference, counsel and self-represented parties must meet and confer (by telephone or in person) to prepare required trial documents and binders, attempt stipulations on exhibit authenticity/admissibility, motions in limine, and ultimate facts/legal issues, and attempt to settle the case.

No later than ten (10) court days before the Final Status Conference, the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall meet and confer by telephone or in person to do the following: (1) discuss and prepare the documents required in Sections 2.B-H, below, and the Motions in limine Binder, Exhibit Binders, and Trial Binder required in Sections 3-5, below. (2) discuss and make a good faith effort to stipulate to the authenticity and admissibility of each trial exhibit. (3) discuss and make a good faith effort to stipulate to resolve each motion in limine. (4) discuss and make a good faith effort to stipulate to ultimate facts and legal issues, and (5) discuss and make a good faith effort to settle the case.

CRITICAL

If no discovery motions have been filed, please provide a Joint Statement of the discovery issues in contention at least two days prior to the IDC.

If no discovery motions have been filed, please provide a Joint Statement of the discovery issues in contention at least two days prior to the IDC.

CRITICAL

If no discovery motions have been filed, please provide a Joint Statement of the discovery issues in contention at least two days prior to the IDC.

If no discovery motions have been filed, please provide a Joint Statement of the discovery issues in contention at least two days prior to the IDC.

CRITICAL

All exhibits a party intends to introduce at trial must be exchanged between counsel and any self-represented parties no later than ten court days before the Final Status Conference.

No later than ten (10) court days before the Final Status Conference, the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall exchange all exhibits they intend to introduce at trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

Stipulations regarding ultimate facts, issues, and exhibit admissibility must be filed and executed on or before the time of filing trial documents.

Counsel shall file and execute stipulations, if any, regarding ultimate facts and issues and the admissibility of exhibits (i.e. foundation and/or authentication) on or before the time of filing trial documents.

CRITICALCivil cases

MILs and trial motions must be filed with timely statutory notice so they can be heard on the day of the final status conference.

Motions in limine (MILs) and trial motions must be filed with timely statutory notice, so as to be heard on the day of the final status conference. See LASCR 3.25(f)(2).

CRITICALCivil cases

Requests for more than 35 jurors or for pre-screening jurors as to time must be made to the Court at least 20 days before the trial date.

In most cases, a panel of 35 jurors will be ordered to begin the jury selection process. Any request for more than 35 jurors or for pre-screening of jurors as to time must be made to the Court at least 20 days in advance of the trial date.

CRITICALCivil cases

The case management statement must be filed at least fifteen (15) days before the CMC hearing.

A case management statement must be filed at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing as required by CRC 3.725(a).

CRITICALCivil cases

If any defendant remains unserved, plaintiff must file a declaration explaining service efforts five (5) days before the CMC hearing.

If all defendants have not been served, plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel must submit a declaration to the court five (5) days prior to the hearing explaining what efforts have been undertaken to accomplish service. CRC 3.110.

CRITICALCivil cases

Plaintiff must file a declaration of service efforts 5 days before CMC if all defendants are not served.

If all defendants have not been served, plaintiff or plaintiff’s counsel must submit a declaration to the court five (5) days prior to the hearing explaining what efforts have been undertaken to accomplish service. CRC 3.110.

CRITICALCivil cases

Case management statements must be filed at least 15 days before the hearing.

A case management statement must be filed at least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing as required by CRC 3.725(a).

CRITICALCivil cases

Requests for >35 jurors or jury pre-screening must be made 20 days before trial.

Any request for more than 35 jurors or for pre-screening of jurors as to time must be made to the Court at least 20 days in advance of the trial date.

CRITICALCivil cases

Copies of deposition transcripts or other discovery responses must be lodged with the Court before trial.

Before trial, copies of deposition transcripts or other discovery responses shall be lodged with the Court. (LASCR 3.56)

CRITICALCivil cases

Operative pleadings, joint witness list, joint exhibit list, and trial briefs (court trials only; trial briefs optional in jury trials) must be filed five court days before the final status conference, with plaintiff(s) responsible for filing joint documents unless the parties agree otherwise.

The following documents shall be filed five court days before the final status conference for a jury trial, except that a trial brief is optional. The parties shall file the operative pleadings, joint witness list, joint exhibit list and trial briefs for a court trial. Plaintiff(s) shall be responsible for filing joint documents unless the parties agree otherwise.

CRITICALCivil cases

If no court reporter is present, counsel must provide the court a daily joint summary of testimony and admitted evidence by the morning following the testimony.

If the parties do not have a court reporter, counsel will be required to provide the court with a joint summary of the testimony and evidence admitted on a daily basis by the morning following the testimony.

CRITICALCivil cases

Objections to PowerPoint slides must be submitted to the court as soon as possible and before the jury is empaneled.

If there are any objections to any slide, the objecting party must submit the objections to the court as soon as possible and before the jury is empaneled.

CRITICALCivil cases

Proof of payment of daily jury fees must be provided to the clerk by the next day or trial cannot resume.

Proof of payment must be provided to the clerk no later than the next day before trial can resume.

CRITICALCivil cases

Trial briefs are required for court trials, filed 5 court days before FSC; optional for jury trials.

Trial briefs are not required in jury trials but can be useful to the Court. They are required in court trials and must be filed at least five (5) court days before the FSC.

CRITICALCivil cases

Counsel must comply with LASCR 3.25(f)-(h), meet and confer, and then file the final status conference documents five court days before the conference.

FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE: Counsel must comply with Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rules (“LASCR”) 3.25(f)-(h) and other local rules concerning preparation for the final status conference and trial. You must meet and confer, and then file the following documents: FIVE COURT DAYS BEFORE THE FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE.

CRITICALCivil cases

Trial briefs are optional in jury trials but required in court trials and must be filed at least five court days before the final status conference.

TRIAL BRIEFS. Trial briefs are not required in jury trials but can be useful to the Court. They are required in court trials and must be filed at least five (5) court days before the FSC.

CRITICALCivil cases

The following documents shall be filed five court days before the final status conference for a jury trial, except that a trial brief is optional. The parties shall file the operative pleadings, joint witness list, joint exhibit list and trial briefs for a court trial.

The following documents shall be filed five court days before the final status conference for a jury trial, except that a trial brief is optional. The parties shall file the operative pleadings, joint witness list, joint exhibit list and trial briefs for a court trial.

CRITICALCivil cases

The joint brief summarizing the discovery dispute(s) must be filed and provided to the Court at least three court days before the hearing.

Third, a joint brief – no more than five-pages in length that summarizes the discovery dispute(s) at issue – shall be filed and provided to the Court at least three court days prior to the hearing.

CRITICAL

Trial documents (statement of case, exhibit list, witness list, jury instructions, verdict form) must be filed with the court five days before the final status conference.

Pursuant to SCLAC Rule 3.25(f)(1), trial documents, including a statement of the case, exhibit list, witness list, jury instructions and verdict form must be filed with the court and served on opposing counsel five (5) days prior to the final status conference.

CRITICAL

Motions in limine must be filed with the required statutory notice for hearing at the final status conference and must comply with SCLAC Rule 3.57.

Pursuant to SCLAC Rule 3.25(f)(2), motions in limine must be filed with the appropriate statutory notice for hearing at the final status conference. Motions in limine must comply with SCLAC Rule 3.57.