Los Angeles Superior Court Document Format Requirements

CRITICALCivil cases

Designated and counter-designated transcript pages must be attached to the Joint Chart, with numbered tabs separating each deposition or trial transcript.

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.

CRITICALCivil cases

Courtesy copies must comply with CRC rule 3.1110(t): each exhibit must be separated by a tab extending below the bottom of the page bearing the exhibit designation, or the Court may continue the hearing or not consider the exhibits.

The courtesy copies must comply with CRC, rule 3.1110(t), 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.

CRITICALCivil cases

All electronically filed documents must be text searchable and bookmarked.

All electronically filed documents must be text searchable and bookmarked. (See operative General Order re Mandatory Electronic Filing in Civil.)

CRITICALCivil cases

Each designation or counter-designation must be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

Each designation or counter-designation shall be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

CRITICALCivil cases

Proposed jury instructions must be organized into three cover-sheet-labeled groups: agreed instructions, plaintiff's contested requests, and defendant's contested requests.

The parties shall organize proposed jury instructions into groups in the following order (labeled by cover sheets): (1) the agreed-upon instructions, (2) plaintiffs requested instructions to which defendant objects, and (3) defendant's requested instructions to which plaintiff objects.

CRITICALCivil cases

The FSC Notebook must be labeled on the face and spine with the case name, case number, FSC hearing date, and trial date.

The parties are to label the/ace and the spine of the Notebook with the case name, case number, FSC hearing date and Trial date.

CRITICALCivil cases

All electronically filed documents must be text searchable and bookmarked.

All electronically filed documents must be text searchable and bookmarked. (See operative General Order re Mandatory Electronic Filing in Civil.)

CRITICALCivil cases

Courtesy copies must have exhibits separated by tabs extending below the page, per CRC 3.1110(t).

The courtesy copies must comply with CRC, rule 3.1110(t), which requires that each exhibit be separated by a tab extending below the bottom of the page bearing the exhibit designation.

CRITICALCivil cases

The List of Proposed Jury Instructions must use the CRC rule 2.1055(b)(3) index format and include a checklist for the Court to indicate disposition of proposed instructions.

The List of Proposed Jury Instructions must be prepared in the index format required by CRC, rule 2.1055(b)(3), including a checklist for the Court to indicate the disposition of the proposed instructions.

CRITICALCivil cases

Exhibits must be pre-numbered numerically (plaintiffs start at 1, defendants at 101), with no letters, no grouping, multiple pages numbered, exchanged except impeachment exhibits.

All Exhibits must be pre-numbered (1, 2, 3, etc.) and exchanged except for those anticipated in good faith to be used for impeachment. (Rule 3.52.) Plaintiffs shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 1 and Defendants shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 101. Letters shall not be used. Letters shall not be used to designate subparts. Each separate exhibit shall bear only a numeric designation. (Rule 3.53.) Multiple page exhibits shall have page numbers on each page so as to facilitate reference to the document during interrogation of the witnesses. Separate documents shall not be grouped together as one exhibit or as subparts to one exhibit. Each shall be separately numbered.

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties must place exhibits in tabbed three-ring binders, with one binder for each party, clerk, judge, and witness stand (5 total in typical two-party cases).

The Parties shall place exhibits in three ring binders, with tabs to separate each exhibit. There shall be a binder for each party, the Court Clerk, the Judge and the witness stand. In a typical two-party case this shall require 5 separate, fully numbered and tabbed exhibit binders.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions in limine must be submitted in writing rather than orally.

All Motions in limine must be in writing and be accompanied by a declaration in compliance with Local Rule 3.57.

CRITICALCivil cases

Exhibits must be placed in tabbed three-ring binders, with a separate binder for each party, the Court Clerk, the Judge, and the witness stand (five binders in a typical two-party case).

The Parties shall place exhibits in three ring binders, with tabs to separate each exhibit. There shall be a binder for each party, the Court Clerk, the Judge and the witness stand. In a typical two-party case this shall require 5 separate, fully numbered and tabbed exhibit binders.

CRITICALCivil cases

Plaintiff exhibits are numbered starting at Exhibit 1 and defendant exhibits at Exhibit 101 using numeric designations only; multi-page exhibits must be paginated and separate documents may not be grouped together.

Plaintiffs shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 1 and Defendants shall number exhibits beginning with Exhibit 101. Letters shall not be used. Letters shall not be used to designate subparts. Each separate exhibit shall bear only a numeric designation. (Rule 3.53.) Multiple page exhibits shall have page numbers on each page so as to facilitate reference to the document during interrogation of the witnesses. Separate documents shall not be grouped together as one exhibit or as subparts to one exhibit. Each shall be separately numbered.

CRITICAL

The Motions in Limine Binder must contain one-sided, conformed copies of all motions in limine, opposition, and reply papers, organized in tabbed three-ring binders with colored separator sheets between moving, opposition, and reply papers.

The Motions in Limine Binder shall include one-sided, conformed copies of all motions in limine, opposition papers, and reply papers, organized in one or more three-ring binders, 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.

CRITICAL

Each designation or counter-designation in the Joint Chart must be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

Each designation or counter-designation shall be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

CRITICAL

Parties must attach copies of the designated or counter-designated transcript pages to the Joint Chart, with numbered tabs separating each deposition or trial transcript.

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.

CRITICAL

Counsel and self-represented parties must jointly prepare at least five identical sets of tabbed exhibit binders organized numerically in three-ring binders (for the court, Judicial Assistant, witnesses, and each party).

The parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall work together to jointly prepare at least five identical sets of tabbed, exhibit binders organized numerically in three-ring binders (Exhibit Binders): a set for the court, a set for the Judicial Assistant, a set for the witnesses, and a set for each party.

CRITICAL

The Trial Binder must be a physical binder consisting of one-sided, conformed copies, tabbed and organized in a three-ring binder with a table of contents.

No later than three calendar days before the Final Status Conference, the parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall jointly prepare and lodge in Department 510 a physical Trial Binder, consisting of one-sided, conformed copies, tabbed and organized in a three-ring binder with a table of contents

CRITICALCivil cases

Jury trial binders must comply with Standing Order ¶¶ 16-18 requirements.

The parties must comply strictly with the Standing Order, ¶¶ 16-18, regarding jury trial document preparation. Specifically, at the first date set for jury trial, the parties must bring to court a three-ring binder with table of contents and the documents below, clearly labeled, and behind separate tabs:

CRITICALCivil cases

At the first jury trial date, parties must bring a three-ring binder with a table of contents, with all required documents clearly labeled behind separate tabs.

The parties must comply strictly with the Standing Order, ¶¶ 16-18, regarding jury trial document preparation. Specifically, at the first date set for jury trial, the parties must bring to court a three-ring binder with table of contents and the documents below, clearly labeled, and behind separate tabs

CRITICALCivil cases

Jury trial parties must submit a tabbed three-ring binder with a table of contents and specified labeled documents.

at the first date set for jury trial, the parties must bring to court a three-ring binder with table of contents and the documents below, clearly labeled, and behind separate tabs: A – Operative Pleadings B – Joint Statement of the Case C – Motions in Limine D – Joint Witness List E – Joint Exhibits in exhibit books and Joint Exhibit List F – Joint Proposed Jury Instructions G – Joint Proposed Verdict Form H – Plaintiff’s Proposed Jury Instructions (disputed) I – Defendant’s Proposed Jury Instructions (disputed)

CRITICAL

Special jury instructions must be formatted for submission to the jury showing only the instruction number, title, and text, with no boxes or indication of the requesting party.

The parties/counsel shall prepare special instructions in a format ready for submission to the jury with the instruction number, title, and text only (i.e., there should be no boxes or other indication on the printed instruction itself as to the requesting party).

CRITICAL

All exhibit pages must be Bates numbered sequentially using the format 'Exh. [number]-[page]'.

page must be “Bates” numbered sequentially. For example: if Exhibit 5 has 20 pages, “Exh. 5-012” would be the 12th page of Exhibit 5.

CRITICAL

Parties must have three-ring Trial Binders and Exhibit Binders (at least 4 Trial Binders and 5 Exhibit Binders) to be deemed ready for trial.

To be deemed ready for trial and immediate assignment to a trial court, parties and counsel shall have a three-ring TRIAL BINDER and EXHIBIT BINDER. The parties must have 5 Exhibit Binders and at least 4 Trial Binders.

CRITICAL

Trial and exhibit binders must be three-ring bound, with 5 exhibit binders and at least 4 trial binders required.

parties and counsel shall have a three-ring TRIAL BINDER and EXHIBIT BINDER. The parties must have 5 Exhibit Binders and at least 4 Trial Binders.

CRITICAL

For records exceeding 450 pages, the parties must submit the entire record on a Bates-searchable flash drive and also prepare and submit a joint appendix.

If the record exceeds 450 pages (including any transcripts), the parties shall (a) submit the entire record on a flash drive in a format searchable by Bates-Stamp number and (b) must also prepare and submit a joint appendix as described immediately below.

CRITICAL

The joint appendix must be in a three-inch spiral bound or three-ring binder, with each volume of a multi-volume appendix clearly labeled on its cover and/or spine.

The joint appendix must be submitted in a three-inch spiral bound or three-ring binder. If the joint appendix consists of more than one volume, each volume shall be clearly labeled on its cover and/or spine (e.g. Vol. 1 of ).

CRITICAL

For records of 450 pages or less, the parties must submit both an electronic copy and a hard copy binder containing the entire record.

If the record is 450 pages or less, the parties shall submit both (a) an electronic copy as explained in the following sentence; and (b) a hard copy binder containing the entire record.

CRITICAL

Joint appendix pages must be arranged in numerical Bates-stamped order regardless of which party cited the page.

The pages in the joint appendix shall be in numerical Bates-stamped order no matter which party cited the particular page.

CRITICAL

Margins

top 4 in

Proposed special jury instructions and any addenda to form instructions must leave at least four inches of blank space at the top of every page.

Leave at least four inches of blank space of the top of every page of any proposed special jury instructions, or any addenda to form instructions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed jury instruction

Proposed special jury instructions must have at least four inches of blank space at the top of each page.

Leave at least four inches of blank space of the top of every page of any proposed special jury instructions, or any addenda to form instructions.

CRITICAL

Exhibits must be separately numbered to correspond with the joint exhibit list, and multi-page exhibits must have internally numbered pages (e.g., 3.1, 3.2, 3.3).

Each exhibit must be separately numbered, with the numbers corresponding to the number of theexhibit on the joint exhibit list. If an exhibit contains more than one page, the pages must be internally numbered, i.e., 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 etc.

CRITICAL

All trial exhibits must be placed in binders under tabs, with each page numbered (bate stamped) within each tab.

All exhibits MUST be placed in binders under tabs, and each page must be numbered (bate stamped) within each tab.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Deposition designation

Deposition page/line designation charts must be submitted in a three-ring binder with supporting transcripts.

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.

CRITICAL

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

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit

Exhibits must be separately numbered with internal page numbering for multi-page exhibits.

Each exhibit must be separately numbered, with the numbers corresponding to the number of the exhibit on the joint exhibit list. If an exhibit contains more than one page, the pages must be internally numbered, i.e., 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 etc.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed jury instruction

Proposed jury instructions must be submitted in an indexed tabbed binder with full text, CACI forms, and 4 inches of blank top margin.

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. The parties shall provide the full text of all requested instructions (not just a list). Before submitting the instructions, counsel must fill in the blanks, make any appropriate modifications, and comply with LASC 3.170 – 3.171. Use CACI for form instructions. Leave at least four inches of blank space of the top of every page of any proposed special

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit

Counsel must prepare separate exhibit sets for the Court, witness stand, and Judicial Assistant.

Counsel must prepare a separate set of exhibits for each of the Court, the witness stand, and the Judicial Assistant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion in limine

Motion in limine papers must be bound in an indexed tabbed three-ring binder for lodging.

No later than five court days before the FSC, the moving party for each motion in limine must lodge directly in Dept. 54 an indexed and tabbed three-ring binder containing conformed copies of all moving, opposition, and reply papers for their motions in limine.

CRITICALCivil cases

Format

PDF

All filings must comply with the technical requirements set forth in the General Order (PDF, text searchable, bookmarked per CRC 31110(f)(4), hyperlinks, etc.).

All filings must comply with the technical requirements set forth in the General Order (PDF, text searchable, bookmarked per CRC 31110(f)(4), hyperlinks, etc.).

CRITICAL

Motions in Limine Binder must be three-ring binders with one-sided conformed copies, tabbed numerically, colored sheets separating papers.

The Motions in Limine Binder shall include one-sided, conformed copies of all motions in limine, opposition papers, and reply papers, organized in one or more three-ring binders, 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.

CRITICAL

Exhibit Binders require one-sided documentary copies, marked non-documentary exhibits with written descriptions behind tabs.

Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies. 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.

CRITICAL

Each designation or counter-designation must be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

Each designation or counter-designation shall be highlighted, with each party using a different color highlighter.

CRITICAL

Parties must jointly prepare four sets of tabbed, internally paginated, properly marked exhibits organized numerically in three-ring binders (for the court, Judicial Assistant, and witnesses), with one-sided documentary exhibit copies and written descriptions of non-documentary exhibits behind the corresponding tabs.

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”). Copies of documentary exhibits shall be one-sided copies. 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.

CRITICAL

Format

PAPER

Jury trial binders must include tabbed sections A-H with specified documents; trial briefs are optional.

For jury trials, the trial binder shall include the following documents with tabs: A – Trial Briefs (Optional) B – Joint Statement of the Case Joint Witness List C – Joint Witness List D – Joint Exhibit List E – Joint List of Jury Instructions; [Written] Jury Instructions F – Joint or Contested Verdict Form G – Joint Chart of Page and Line Designations for Testimony H – Operative Pleadings

CRITICAL

Jury instructions may not use tear sheets and must not include the disposition box on the individual instruction page.

Do not use tear sheets for the instructions and do not include the disposition box on the page of the individual instruction.

CRITICAL

Bulk exhibits such as voluminous medical records are not permitted; counsel must separately mark and identify the specific items within a bulk exhibit.

Bulk exhibits, e.g., voluminous medical records will not be permitted. Counsel must separately mark and identify the specific items within a bulk exhibit.

CRITICAL

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

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

CRITICAL

Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be consecutively paginated.

Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be consecutively paginated.