Los Angeles Superior Court Document Format Requirements

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

The instructions should be in Word, Times New Roman, 14 point font.

The instructions should be in Word, Times New Roman, 14 point font.

CRITICAL

Documentary exhibits must be one-sided copies.

Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies.

CRITICAL

Each instruction should be on its own page or pages.

Each instruction should be on its own page or pages.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

Proposed jury instruction documents and the verdict form must be submitted in Word format with 14 point font.

final (or close to final verdict form). The documents shall be in Word, 14 point font.

CRITICAL

Jury instructions must not include headers or footers, except that page numbers are permitted.

Do not include any headers or footers, except for page numbers.

CRITICAL

The Joint Chart must attach copies of designated or counter-designated transcript pages separated by numbered tabs, with each designation highlighted and 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.

CRITICAL

In the FSC notebook behind Tab B, each motion in limine must be separated by a numbered side tab matching the motion number, motion/opposition/reply separated by colored sheets, plaintiff's MILs placed first, and defendant's side tabs restart at one.

Behind Tab B, the parties shall separate each motion in limine with a side tabbed number that corresponds to the number of the motion in limine. The motion, opposition, and reply shall be separated by a colored sheet of paper. The plaintiff’s motions in limine shall come first and the defendant’s motions in limine shall follow. For the defendant’s motions in limine, the numbered side tabs shall start over with the number one, indicating the start of the defendant’s motions in limine.

CRITICAL

Final jury instructions and verdict forms must be in a jury-ready format containing no citations to authority, no identification of the requesting party, and no letterhead or markings identifying the preparing attorney.

The final set of jury instructions and verdict forms shall be in a format suitable for submission to the jury during deliberations, and shall not include any citations to authority, identification of the party requesting the instruction or verdict, or any letterhead or markings identifying the attorney who prepared or printed them. (Local Rules, rule 3.174.)

CRITICAL

Jury instructions must not include a tear-away box at the top of the page or the document title in the footer; the footer may only include page numbers.

Do not include a “tear-away” box at the top of the page or the title of the document in the footer. The footer may include page numbers.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

The agreed upon or contested verdict form must be emailed to the judicial assistant in Word format, and the case may be continued if the form is not ready at the FSC.

The Court will review the form at the FSC and if it is not ready, the case may be continued. The parties shall email to the judicial assistant the agreed upon or contested verdict form (whether general or special) in Word.

CRITICAL

Parties must jointly prepare three sets of tabbed, internally paginated, properly marked exhibits organized numerically in three-ring binders (for the Court, Judicial Assistant, and witnesses); if notebooks for each side are included, the number increases to five or more depending on the number of parties.

The parties shall work together jointly to prepare three sets of tabbed, internally paginated and properly marked exhibits, organized numerically in three-ring binders for the Court (a set for the Court, a set for the Judicial Assistant, and a set for the witnesses) ("Exhibit Binders")

CRITICAL

Courtesy copies must comply with CRC 3.1110(f): each exhibit must be separated by a tab extending below the bottom of the page bearing the exhibit designation, and noncompliance may result in the hearing being continued or the exhibits not being considered.

The courtesy copies must comply with CRC, rule 3.1110(f), which requires that each exhibit be separated by a tab extending below the bottom of the page bearing the exhibit designation. Failure to comply with this rule may result in the Court continuing the hearing or not considering the exhibits.

CRITICAL

Non-documentary exhibits must be marked and a simple 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.

CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

PowerPoint presentations and other displays to the jury must be reduced to paper and filed in the Court's docket.

PowerPoint presentations or other displays to the jury must be reduced to paper to be filed in the Court’s docket.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be pre-marked with Arabic numerals, pages numbered sequentially, exchanged 14 calendar days before FSC, lodged first day of trial, with tabbed/paginated binders for Court, staff, witnesses, and opposing parties.

Pursuant to Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53, the exhibits must be pre-marked using Arabic numerals and in instances where exhibits consist of multiple pages, each page must be numbered sequentially. The exhibits must be exchanged at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the FSC and lodged with the Court on the first day of trial. At least three sets of exhibit binders – tabbed and paginated – are required on the first day of trial: a set each for the Court, judicial assistant, and witness. Counsel must also additionally supply an exhibit binder to each opposing party.

CRITICAL

Parties must provide a joint trial binder to the Court at the FSC organized with Tabs A through J covering trial briefs through current operative pleadings.

The parties and counsel shall provide a joint trial binder for the Court at the FSC. The trial binder shall be organized as follows: Tab A: Trial Briefs Tab B: Motions in Limine Tab C: Joint Statement of the Case Tab D: Joint Witness List Tab E: Joint List of Jury Instructions Tab F: Joint and Contested Jury Instructions Tab G: Joint and/or Contested Verdict Forms Tab H: Joint Exhibit List Tab I: Joint Chart of Page and Line Designations for Deposition and Former Testimony Tab J: Copies of all Current Operative Pleadings

CRITICAL

At least three tabbed, paginated sets of exhibit binders are required on the first day of trial: one set each for the Court, judicial assistant, and witness.

At least three sets of exhibit binders – tabbed and paginated – are required on the first day of trial: a set each for the Court, judicial assistant, and witness.

CRITICAL

Parties must provide a tabbed binder at the FSC containing all motions in limine, oppositions, and replies in sequential order matching each motion's assigned number.

As explained above, the parties and counsel must provide a tabbed binder at the FSC containing all motions in limine, oppositions, and replies in sequential order consistent with the number assigned to each motion in limine.

CRITICAL

Joint trial binder with tabbed sections for all trial documents must be provided to Court at Final Status Conference.

The parties and counsel shall provide a joint trial binder for the Court at the FSC. The trial binder shall be organized as follows: Tab A: Trial Briefs Tab B: Motions in Limine Tab C: Joint Statement of the Case Tab D: Joint Witness List Tab E: Joint List of Jury Instructions Tab F: Joint and Contested Jury Instructions Tab G: Joint and/or Contested Verdict Forms Tab H: Joint Exhibit List Tab I: Joint Chart of Page and Line Designations for Deposition and Former Testimony Tab J: Copies of all Current Operative Pleadings

CRITICAL

Proposed orders lodged with the Court should be separate documents and must not include the proof of service.

Proposed orders lodged with the Court should be separate documents and must not include the proof of service.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

DOCX

Please send an editable Word version to the court’s resource account SMCDept300@lacourt.ca.gov in the final format that will be actually presented to the jury.

Please send an editable Word version to the court’s resource account SMCDept300@lacourt.ca.gov in the final format that will be actually presented to the jury.

CRITICALCivil cases

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.

CRITICAL

Format

DOCX

Verdict forms submitted to the clerk must be in MS Word format.

Please also submit the Verdict Form to the clerk via email (POMDeptEAO@LACourt.org) in MS Word format.

CRITICAL

Parties must comply with California Rules of Court Rule 2.1055 for jury instructions.

Parties are to abide by California Rules of Court Rule 2.1055.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Verdict form

Format

DOCX

Please also submit the Verdict Form to the clerk via email (POMDeptEAO@LACourt.org) in MS Word format.

Please also submit the Verdict Form to the clerk via email (POMDeptEAO@LACourt.org) in MS Word format.

CRITICAL

When ten or more exhibits will be used, exhibit copies must be placed in one or more 3-ring binders, with non-documentary exhibits represented by a simple written description.

If ten (10) or more exhibits are to be used, copies of the exhibits shall be placed in one or more 3-ring binders. Non- documentary exhibits shall be represented in the binder with a simple written description.

CRITICAL

Non-document exhibits must be identified with a page after the tab containing a disc, photograph, or description of the exhibit.

All non-document exhibits shall be identified with a page inserted after the tab with either a disc, a photograph or a description of the exhibit.

CRITICAL

The operative Complaint, Answers, Cross Complaints and Answers, and Stipulation of Facts must each be placed behind individual tabs in the Trial Binder.

Place behind individual tabs the operative Complaint; Answer(s); Cross Complaint(s) and Answer(s); and Stipulation of Facts.

CRITICAL

Format: The Trial Binder should have labels on the front and side, advising the Court as to the contents. The Trial Binder must have as the first page an Index to the Trial Binder.

Format: The Trial Binder should have labels on the front and side, advising the Court as to the contents. The Trial Binder must have as the first page an Index to the Trial Binder.

CRITICAL

Trial continuance requests must not use LASC CIV CTRL-242 or similar optional forms.

Requests for trial continuances shall not be made on LASC CIV CTRL-242 or any other similar “Optional” form.

CRITICAL

Exhibit Binders must have front/side labels, conformed joint exhibit list first, exhibits numbered and tabbed.

The parties shall jointly prepare three sets of evidentiary exhibit binders (a set for Judge, Judicial Assistant and Witness). The Exhibit Binders shall have labels on the front and side. EACH Exhibit Binder shall have a conformed copy of the Joint Exhibit List in front, followed by all exhibits numbered and tabbed.

CRITICAL

The Joint Witness List must be a single combined grid with alphabetized, deduplicated names, interpreter/accommodation notes, calling-party designations, and completed time estimates with sub-totals and grand total.

The Joint Witness List shall be on one grid. There should not be separate grids for plaintiff and defendant. The witness names should be alphabetized by last name and there should be no duplicates. Note whether the witness needs an interpreter, a reasonable accommodation, or has another special need. Designate which party is calling each witness. All time estimates must be filled in and sub-totals and a grand total completed.

CRITICAL

The Court requests that all electronically filed documents be bookmarked and searchable. (Local Rule 3.4.)

The Court requests that all electronically filed documents be bookmarked and searchable. (Local Rule 3.4.)

CRITICAL

Each Exhibit Binder must have a conformed Joint Exhibit List in front followed by all exhibits numbered and tabbed.

EACH Exhibit Binder shall have a conformed copy of the Joint Exhibit List in front, followed by all exhibits numbered and tabbed.

CRITICAL

Joint verdict forms must not bear any party's or counsel's name, and any separate proposed forms must each be preceded by a page identifying the proposing party.

The Joint Verdict Form(s) shall not have any party's or counsel's name thereon. If the parties cannot agree on a Joint Verdict Form, or if the verdict form will depend upon circumstances at trial, separate proposed forms are permitted. In that case, each party's proposed form shall be preceded by a page marked, e.g., "Plaintiff's Proposed Verdict Form" or "Defendant's Proposed Verdict Form."

CRITICAL

Each exhibit page must be internally paginated (e.g., 1-1, 1-2, 2-1) and show only ONE page number, with all other numbering covered or removed.

Each page of each exhibit must be internally paginated, e.g., 1-1; 1 2; 2-1, etc. Exhibits should have only ONE page number showing, and all others (e.g., deposition exhibit numbers or document production Bates numbers) should be covered up or otherwise removed.

CRITICAL

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

In addition, documentary exhibits that consist of multiple pages must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order. This requirement is intended to facilitate clear and efficient reference to specific portions of an exhibit during the examination of witnesses.

CRITICAL

Trial Binder must have front/side labels and an index as the first page.

Format: The Trial Binder should have labels on the front and side, advising the Court as to the contents. The Trial Binder must have as the first page an Index to the Trial Binder.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must show only one page number per page; others must be covered.

Each page of each exhibit must be internally paginated, e.g., 1-1; 1 2; 2-1, etc. Exhibits should have only ONE page number showing, and all others (e.g., deposition exhibit numbers or document production Bates numbers) should be covered up or otherwise removed.

CRITICAL

Only pages of large exhibits likely to be used at trial may be included in the Exhibit Binder, and partial exhibits generally will not be admitted without good cause.

The parties shall refrain from including uncommonly large exhibits as a single exhibit if only a few pages are likely to be used at trial. In that case, only those pages should be included in the Exhibit Binder(s). The Court will generally not permit the admission of partial exhibits without good cause.

CRITICAL

Multi-page documentary exhibits must be internally paginated sequentially.

In addition, documentary exhibits that consist of multiple pages must be internally paginated in sequential numerical order.

CRITICAL

Copies of documentary exhibits must be one-sided.

Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies.

CRITICAL

Transcript pages for deposition/trial designation must be submitted with numbered tabs separating each transcript and each designation highlighted using a distinct color per party.

The parties shall submit copies of the pages of the transcripts of the deposition or former testimony they are designating or counter-designating 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.

CRITICAL

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

No later than five court days before the Final Status Conference, the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall jointly prepare and lodge in Department 74 a Trial Binder, consisting of one-sided, conformed copies, tabbed and organized in a three-ring binder with a table of contents

CRITICAL

Parties must jointly prepare four sets of tabbed, internally paginated, properly-marked exhibits organized numerically in three-ring binders.

The parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall work together to jointly prepare four sets of tabbed, internally paginated by document, and properly-marked exhibits, organized numerically in three-ring binders (a set for the court, a set for the Judicial Assistant, and a set for the witnesses) ("Exhibit Binders").

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PAPER

The joint appendix shall be a hard copy submitted in accordance with the guidance below.

The joint appendix shall be a hard copy submitted in accordance with the guidance below.

CRITICALCivil cases

When a joint appendix is submitted, the complete record may be provided in electronic format (USB flash drive preferred), and any electronic-format record must be searchable by Bates-stamp number.

If the parties submit a joint appendix, the complete record may be submitted in electronic format (USB flash drive preferred). When the record is provided in electronic format, it must be searchable by Bates-stamp number.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit

Exhibits must be pre-marked with Arabic numerals and sequentially numbered per page if multi-page.

Pursuant to Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53, exhibits must be pre-marked using Arabic numerals and in instances where exhibits consist of multiple pages, each page must be numbered sequentially.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit binder

Tabbed, paginated exhibit binders are required for court, staff, witnesses, and opposing parties on first day of trial.

At least three sets of exhibit binders – tabbed and paginated – are required on the first day of trial: a set each for the Court, the judicial assistant, and the witness. Counsel must also supply an exhibit binder to each opposing party.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motions in limine binder

Motions in limine must be submitted in a tabbed binder with table of contents at least five calendar days before trial.

At least five calendar days before the first day of trial, counsel must provide a tabbed binder containing all motions in limine, oppositions, and replies in sequential order consistent with the number assigned to each motion in limine. The binder also must contain a table of contents identifying each motion in limine, opposition, and reply, and the corresponding tab for each.