Los Angeles Superior Court Document Format Requirements

WARNINGCivil cases

The “Confidential” or “Highly Confidential” designation should not obscure or interfere with the legibility of the designated Information.

The “Confidential” or “Highly Confidential” designation should not obscure or interfere with the legibility of the designated Information.

WARNINGCivil cases

In the joint proposed preference case trial setting order, competing provisions must be placed adjacent to one another with a bracket identifying each provision's proponent.

Competing provisions should be placed adjacent to one another, together with a bracket identifying the proponent of the provision.

WARNING

Copies of documentary exhibits must be one-sided.

Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies.

WARNING

The joint chart must include attached transcript pages separated by numbered tabs, with each designation or counter-designation highlighted in a different color per party.

The parties shall attach copies of the pages of the transcripts of the deposition or former testimony they are designating or counter-designating to the Joint Chart of Page and Line Designations for Deposition and Former Testimony, with numbered tabs separating each deposition or trial transcript. Each designation or counter-designation shall be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

WARNING

The Motions in Limine Binder must contain two-sided conformed copies organized in tabbed three-ring binders (max 3 inches) with colored separators between moving, opposition, and reply papers.

The Motions in Limine Binder shall include two-sided, conformed copies of all motions in limine, opposition papers, and reply papers, organized in one or more three-ring binders not to exceed 3" per binder, indexed and tabbed in numerical order with the opposition papers and reply papers for each motion placed directly behind the moving papers with a colored sheet of paper separating the moving, opposition, and reply papers.

WARNING

Multi-page documentary exhibits must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order.

Documentary exhibits consisting of more than one page must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order.

WARNING

Copies of documentary exhibits must be one-sided.

Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies.

WARNING

Parties must attach tabbed copies of designated transcript pages to the Joint Chart and highlight each designation or counter-designation, with each party using a different color highlighter.

The parties shall attach copies of the pages of the transcripts of the deposition or former testimony they are designating or counter-designating to the Joint Chart of Page and Line Designations for Deposition and Former Testimony, with numbered tabs separating each deposition or trial transcript. Each designation or counter-designation shall be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

WARNING

The Trial Binder must consist of one-sided, conformed copies tabbed and organized in a three-ring binder.

consisting of one-sided, conformed copies, tabbed and organized in a three-ring binder

WARNING

All non-documentary exhibits must be marked and a simple written description inserted behind the corresponding numerical tab in the Exhibit Binders.

The parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall mark all non-documentary exhibits and insert a simple written description of the exhibit behind the corresponding numerical tab in the Exhibit Binders.

WARNING

The court's yellow evidence tags (filled in with only the case number and exhibit number) must be placed on each exhibit in the Judicial Assistant's copy of the Exhibit Binder.

The parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall also place the court’s yellow evidence tags (with only the case number and exhibit number filled in) on each exhibit in the Judicial Assistant’s copy of the Exhibit Binder.

WARNINGCivil cases

Counsel must premark exhibits and produce the requisite number of exhibit books, and may not rely on the clerk to track exhibits or produce exhibits at trial that opposing counsel has never seen (except for impeachment).

Please do not: • Fail to premark your exhibits. • Expect the clerk to keep track of your exhibits. • Produce exhibits at trial which opposing counsel has never seen, unless they are used for impeachment. • Fail to produce the requisite numbers of exhibit books.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

A CD in Word format should be brought to court on the first day of trial.

A CD in Word format should be brought to court on the first day of trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Any submitted jury instructions must be in proper format per California Rules of Court, rule 2.1055, with correct party references and no blanks, brackets, empty spaces, or inapplicable options.

a set of agreed jury instructions (and, if necessary, a separate set of instructions to which there is disagreement), in the proper format with all changes and modifications applicable to the case in accordance with California Rules of Court, rule 2.1055, (i.e., correct references to the parties, no blanks, brackets, empty spaces, or inapplicable options);

WARNINGCivil cases

Documents with original page numbers, or numbers which were attached to deposition transcripts, should be re- numbered (e.g., 31-1, 31-2, etc.). Avoid using letters for exhibits. Each photograph should have its own exhibit number and be presented separately (e.g., Ex. 1-1, Ex. 1-2, etc.).

Documents with original page numbers, or numbers which were attached to deposition transcripts, should be re- numbered (e.g., 31-1, 31-2, etc.). Avoid using letters for exhibits. Each photograph should have its own exhibit number and be presented separately (e.g., Ex. 1-1, Ex. 1-2, etc.).

WARNINGCivil cases

As with jury instructions, prepare a computer disk of the proposed verdict form and have it ready at trial.

As with jury instructions, prepare a computer disk of the proposed verdict form and have it ready at trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Each motion in limine must be numbered sequentially (e.g., Plaintiff's Motion in Limine No. 1, Defendant's Motion in Limine No. 1).

Each motion must be numbered sequentially (Plaintiff s Motion in Limine No., 1, Defendant’s Motion in Limine No.1).

WARNINGCivil cases

Documentary exhibits must be internally paginated; foreign language exhibits require certified English translation.

Documentary exhibits consisting of more than one page must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order. Photographs should be grouped together in separate exhibits by subject matter or other logically related groups rather than marking all photographs as one exhibit. Exhibits written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

WARNINGCivil cases

Photographs should be grouped into separate exhibits by subject matter or logical relation rather than marked as a single exhibit.

Photographs should be grouped together in separate exhibits by subject matter or other logically related groups rather than marking all photographs as one exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Motions in limine should be submitted in a separate tabbed binder with a table of contents.

Motions in limine should be submitted in a separate tabbed binder with a table of contents.

WARNING

Each trial exhibit must be internally paginated.

Each exhibit shall be internally paginated.

WARNING

Non-documentary exhibits must be represented in the binder with a simple written description.

Non-documentary exhibits shall be represented in the binder with a simple written description.

WARNINGCivil cases

Non-documentary exhibits must be marked and a written description or picture inserted behind the corresponding numerical tab in the Exhibit Binders.

The parties shall mark all non-documentary exhibits and insert a simple written description of the exhibit or a picture behind the corresponding numerical tab in the Exhibit Binders.

WARNINGCivil cases

Each party should select a block of exhibit numbers. For example, plaintiff may take exhibits numbers 1-200 and defendant will take exhibit numbers 201-400. Documents consisting of more than one page should be internally paginated and sequentially marked (e.g., 1-1; 1-2; 1-3). For ease of reference, the exhibits should follow a rational order that tracks the witnesses to be called.

Each party should select a block of exhibit numbers. For example, plaintiff may take exhibits numbers 1-200 and defendant will take exhibit numbers 201-400. Documents consisting of more than one page should be internally paginated and sequentially marked (e.g., 1-1; 1-2; 1-3). For ease of reference, the exhibits should follow a rational order that tracks the witnesses to be called.

WARNINGCivil cases

Evidentiary objections filed with a summary judgment or summary adjudication motion must comply with CRC rule 3.1354.

Evidentiary objections. Counsel filing evidentiary objections in connection with a motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication shall comply with CRC, rule 3.1354.

WARNINGCivil cases

Format

DOCX

The parties should bring a thumb-drive to Court on the first day of trial with the agreed upon and contested instructions in Word (or the parties may arrange with the judicial assistant to e-mail the instructions in Word format).

The parties should bring a thumb-drive to Court on the first day of trial with the agreed upon and contested instructions in Word (or the parties may arrange with the judicial assistant to e-mail the instructions in Word format).

WARNINGCivil cases

The face and spine of each Exhibit Binder must be labeled with the case name, case number, FSC hearing date, and trial date.

The parties are to label the face and the spine of the Binders with the case name, case number, FSC hearing date and Trial date.

WARNINGCivil cases

The jury instructions should not have a "tear-away" box at the top of the page. The jury o instruction should be in the format that will be sent to the jury.

The jury instructions should not have a "tear-away" box at the top of the page. The jury o instruction should be in the format that will be sent to the jury.

WARNING

Documentary exhibit copies must be one-sided.

Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies.

WARNING

The Court requests (not strictly mandates) that all electronically filed documents be bookmarked and searchable.

The Court requests all electronically filed documents be bookmarked and searchable.

WARNING

The trial binder may be submitted as either three-ring binders or three-inch spiral bound volumes.

The trial binder may be submitted either in the form of three-ring binders or three-inch spiral bound volumes.

WARNING

At least four inches of blank space must be left at the top of every page of any proposed special instructions (sentence truncated at page break).

Leave at least four inches of blank space of the top of every page of any proposed special

WARNING

The Court requests that all electronically filed documents be bookmarked and searchable.

The Court requests that all electronically filed documents be bookmarked and searchable.

WARNING

Proposed jury instructions must be submitted in an indexed, tabbed three-ring binder containing the joint set plus each side's disputed instructions.

The parties are to submit an indexed and tabbed three-ring binder containing (a) a joint set of instructions, (b) any instructions proposed by Plaintiff and objected to by Defendant; and (c) and instructions proposed by Defendant and objected to by Plaintiff.

WARNING

The deposition designation chart must be submitted in a three-ring binder with all deposition transcripts the Court needs to rule on objections.

The chart shall be submitted to the Court in a three-ring binder, along with all deposition transcripts necessary for the Court to rule on the objections.

WARNING

The joint witness list must be organized into specified columns (witness name, calling party, expected testimony, and estimated direct/cross/redirect times) with a grand total of estimated testimony times stated in the last column.

The joint witness list shall be organized with columns (in the format set forth below) which state (1) the name of each witness (in alphabetical order), if the witness is being called to testify as an expert, and, if applicable, that the witness requires an interpreter, (2) the party calling the witness, (3) whether the witness is actually expected to testify, (4) a brief description of the witness’s expected testimony, (5) an estimate of the length of direct examination (in hours), (6) an estimate of the length of cross- examination (in hours), and (7) an estimate of the length of redirect (in hours). At the end of the joint witness list, the parties and any self-represented parties shall add up the estimated times for all witnesses’ testimony and state the grand total in the last column.

WARNING

Parties filing more than one motion in limine must number the motions consecutively.

Parties filing more than one motion in limine shall number them consecutively.

WARNING

Proposed jury instructions must be organized into groups behind Tab 6, labeled by cover sheets, beginning with agreed-upon instructions (the remaining ordering categories are truncated in the source).

The parties shall organize proposed jury instructions into groups behind Tab 6 in the following order labeled by cover sheets: (1) agreed-upon instructions, (2)

WARNING

Documentary exhibits longer than one page must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order.

Documentary exhibits consisting of more than one page must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order.

WARNING

Designated and counter-designated transcript pages must be attached to the Joint Chart with numbered or named tabs and highlighted with each party using a different color highlighter; highlighted transcripts may be printed condensed (four pages per page) and double-sided.

The parties shall attach copies of the pages of the transcripts of the deposition or former testimony they are designating or counter-designating to the Joint Chart of Page and Line Designations for Testimony, with numbered or named tabs separating each deposition or trial transcript. Each designation or counter-designation shall be highlighted on the transcript, with each party using a different color highlighter. Highlighted transcripts may be printed condensed – four pages per page – and double-sided.

WARNING

Exhibits must be pre-numbered, parties must track their own exhibits, unseen exhibits may not be produced at trial (except for impeachment), and the requisite number of exhibit books must be produced.

i. Please Do NOT: 1. Fail to pre-number your exhibits and all pages within exhibits; 2. Expect the clerk to keep track of your exhibits; 3. Produce exhibits at trial which opposing counsel has never seen, unless they are used for impeachment; 4. Fail to produce the requisite number of exhibit books

WARNING

The trial binder must be a 3-ring binder.

the parties shall cooperate in compiling a 3-ring trial binder that shall be delivered to Department U at least 10 court days before the FSC

WARNING

MIL briefing documents (MIL, opposition, and reply) must be tabbed and indexed.

The documents must be tabbed and indexed with the courtesy copy delivered to the Court five court days before the final status conference.

WARNING

All motions must comply with the California Code of Civil Procedure and California Rules of Court as to format and filing; noncompliance may result in denial of the motion and/or sanctions.

The court expects counsel to be familiar with and abide by the California Code of Civil Procedure and the California Rules of Court with respect to the format and filing of all motions. Failure to comply with the relevant code sections or rules may result in denial of the motion and/or sanctions.

WARNING

Blow-ups of portions of exhibits should be identified and marked as sub-part A and typically will not be admitted into evidence.

Blow-ups of portions of exhibits should be identified and marked as sub-part A. Typically, a blow-up will not be admitted into evidence.

WARNING

Blow-ups of exhibit portions should be marked as sub-part A and typically will not be admitted into evidence.

Blow-ups of portions of exhibits should be identified and marked as sub-part A. Typically, a blow-up will not be admitted into evidence.

WARNING

The joint exhibit list must list exhibits to be offered using consecutive arabic numerals. See, LASCR 3.52 and 3.53. Documentary exhibits consisting of more than one page should be internally paginated in sequential numerical order to facilitate reference to the document during interrogation of witnesses (e.g., 1-2, 1-2, 1-3). Counsel should agree in advance that their respective party will have a range of exhibit numbers, e.g., Plaintiff 1-99; Defendant 100-199.

The joint exhibit list must list exhibits to be offered using consecutive arabic numerals. See, LASCR 3.52 and 3.53. Documentary exhibits consisting of more than one page should be internally paginated in sequential numerical order to facilitate reference to the document during interrogation of witnesses (e.g., 1-2, 1-2, 1-3). Counsel should agree in advance that their respective party will have a range of exhibit numbers, e.g., Plaintiff 1-99; Defendant 100-199.

WARNING

Parties may digitally display trial exhibits via personal devices in Department 731, but must supply their own HDMI/VGA/adapter cables and are encouraged to test audio/visual equipment with court staff before trial.

VIDEO EQUIPMENT/TECHONOLOGY: Department 731 is equipped with a projector, large screen, and document camera (ELMO). Parties may digitally display exhibits via personal laptop/iPad/tablet. Parties must provide their own HDMI, VGA, and/or adapter cables for audio/visual connections. Cables will NOT be provided by court staff. Parties are encouraged to make arrangements with court staff to test any audio/visual equipment prior to trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Bench trial briefs should append only critical exhibits; other exhibits may be referenced by exhibit number.

Critical exhibits should be appended to the trial brief, but only critical exhibits. Other exhibits can be referred to in the brief by their exhibit number.

WARNINGCivil cases

Electronic exhibits such as audio or video files should be provided on a thumb drive.

Electronic exhibits (such as an audio or video file) should be available on a thumb drive.