Los Angeles Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

WARNINGCivil cases

IDC sessions are informal and may not be transcribed without prior Court approval.

IDC sessions are informal and shall not be transcribed without prior Court approval.

WARNINGCivil cases

If the Court finds that the parties collectively have raised more than a handful of objections (10 or less), the Court may order the parties to meet and confer in person or via telephone to resolve the objections before the Court considers the motion.

If the Court finds that the parties collectively have raised more than a handful of objections (10 or less), the Court may order the parties to meet and confer in person or via telephone to resolve the objections before the Court considers the motion.

WARNING

The Court may hold an informal conference to resolve pleadings disputes without motion practice; when held, attending attorneys must be familiar with the pleadings and have authority to make and accept proposals and stipulations, though conferences are not required in every instance.

In cases where the parties disagree over the specificity or factual sufficiency of the pleadings, the Court often finds it helpful to conduct an informal conference to discuss these issues. The purpose of the conference is to assist the parties in reaching an agreement on whether and how the pleadings are to be revised without having to engage in motion practice. The attorneys attending the pleadings conference must be familiar with the pleadings and have the authority to make and accept proposals and appropriate stipulations to resolve the dispute. The Court recognizes that not all pleadings disputes are amenable to this procedure and does not require pleadings conferences in every instance.

WARNING

Counsel should meet and confer in person to resolve or at least narrow a dispute before filing a discovery motion.

Before filing a discovery motion, counsel should meet and confer in person to resolve or at least narrow the dispute.

WARNING

Informal Discovery Conferences are not required and may not be scheduled unless specifically authorized by the Court.

Informal Discovery Conferences (IDCs) are not required and may not be scheduled unless specifically authorized by the Court.

WARNING

The parties are encouraged to schedule an IDC before filing a discovery motion, and absent good cause the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before an IDC is conducted (sentence truncated across page break).

The Court requires all discovery motion, and absent a showing of good cause, the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before an informal discovery conference (IDC) is conducted. Accordingly, the parties are encouraged to schedule an IDC before incurring the expense of filing a discovery motion.

WARNING

Parties planning summary judgment/adjudication motions should expedite discovery and reserve hearing dates early, because CRS reservation slots are limited and hearing dates may be unavailable within 30 days of trial.

Any party expecting to file a motion for summary judgment or summary adjudication should press the discovery process forward swiftly to be able to prepare its motion and reserve a hearing date sufficiently in advance of the scheduled trial date. Reservation dates for such motions are limited on the Court Reservation System and hearing dates might not be available at least 30 days before the trial date set in the case.

INFO

discovery conference (IDC) prior to the filing of any discovery motion. After completion of the mandatory good faith meet and confer process, parties can request an informal discovery conference.

discovery conference (IDC) prior to the filing of any discovery motion. After completion of the mandatory good faith meet and confer process, parties can request an informal discovery conference.

INFOCivil cases

Parties moving to compel further discovery responses are encouraged to schedule an Informal Discovery Conference before the hearing, but doing so does not extend the motion filing deadline and is entirely at the Court's discretion.

Parties seeking to compel further responses to discovery are encouraged to attempt to schedule an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) before the hearing on their motions. Scheduling the IDC does not extend the time to file a motion to compel further responses to discovery.

INFO

The IDC (informal discovery conference) process is not expected to be used for third-party discovery disputes.

The Court does not expect parties to use the IDC process for third-party discovery disputes.

INFO

The court encourages reserving motion dates as early as possible (especially summary judgment/adjudication motions), but failure to timely reserve is not irreparable harm.

The court encourages reserving motion dates as soon as possible, particularly Motions for Summary Judgment or Summary Adjudication. Failing to timely reserve a motion date does not constitute irreparable harm.

INFO

Motions in limine are heard at the time of the FSC rather than on a separate hearing date.

Motions in limine will be heard at the time of the FSC. (See Local Rule 3.25(f)(2).)

INFOCivil cases

The court may rule on ex parte applications from chambers without hearing oral argument.

Pursuant General Order 2020-GEN-018-00 and Code of Civil Procedure § 166(a)(l), the court may rule from chambers and may not necessarily hear oral argument for an ex parte application for relief.

INFO

Informal Discovery Conferences are encouraged but not required before filing a discovery motion, though the Court may order an IDC on its own motion before hearing an already-filed discovery motion.

The Court encourages the use of Informal Discovery Conferences ("IDCs") but does not require that the parties conduct an IDC prior to filing a discovery motion. However, counsel should be aware that in some circumstances, the Court will order an IDC on its own motion before holding a hearing on discovery motions that have already been filed.

INFO

Parties are encouraged to schedule an Informal Discovery Conference before filing a discovery motion if dispute is unresolved.

If the dispute remains unresolved, and the deadline to file a motion to compel has not lapsed, the Court requests that the parties schedule an Informal Discovery Conference (“IDC”) prior to filing any discovery motion.

INFOCivil cases

Parties interested in an MSC should first discuss the matter between themselves and then discuss the matter with the Court, either at a hearing or by means of an ex parte application.

Parties interested in an MSC should first discuss the matter between themselves and then discuss the matter with the Court, either at a hearing or by means of an ex parte application.

INFOCivil cases

If the reserved hearing date is too far in the future (e.g., after the trial date), parties should periodically check CRS for earlier dates that may become available as cases settle or hearings are taken off calendar.

If the moving party deems the hearing date to be too far in the future (say after the trial date), Parties should check CRS from time to time because earlier hearing dates may become available as cases settle or hearings are taken off calendar.

INFO

Ex parte applications are heard Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and do not require a reservation.

Ex Parte applications are heard Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. No reservation is needed.

INFO

Motions in limine may be heard at the Final Status Conference unless the Court orders otherwise (Local Rule 3.25(f)).

Motions in limine may be heard at the Final Status Conference unless the Court orders otherwise. (Local Rule 3.25(f).)

INFO

The court expects and encourages counsel and self-represented parties to informally resolve discovery disputes rather than filing discovery motions.

The court expects and encourages the parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties to informally resolve discovery disputes, instead of using expensive and cumbersome discovery motions.

INFO

Ex parte applications and TRO/preliminary injunction requests are heard Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Ex Parte Applications and Requests for Temporary Restraining Orders/Preliminary Injunctions are heard MONDAY through FRIDAY at 8:30 a.m.

INFO

Ex parte applications are heard at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Ex parte applications are heard at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

INFO

Attorneys and self-represented parties may appear at ex parte hearings in person or remotely by audio or videoconference on LACourt Connect.

Attorneys and self-represented parties may appear for ex parte hearings either in person, or remotely by audio or videoconference appearance on LACourt Connect.

INFO

Ex parte applications are typically decided in chambers on the papers without oral argument.

The court typically considers and rules on ex parte applications in chambers based on the papers, without hearing oral argument.

INFO

Parties are strongly encouraged to meet and confer and submit a stipulation and proposed order as an alternative to ex parte relief, especially where exigency is absent or questionable.

Parties are strongly encouraged to meet and confer with respect to the submission of a stipulation and proposed order as an alternative to seeking ex parte relief, particularly where there is no exigency or exigency is questionable.

INFO

Informal Discovery Conferences are not required, but the court will ordinarily hold one upon request, particularly where the parties appear to be acting in good faith.

The court does not require Informal Discovery Conferences ("IDC"). The court will ordinarily exercise its discretion to hold an IDC upon request, particularly where it appears the parties are acting in good faith.

INFO

When a party amends a pleading in response to a demurrer, the court requests that party to work with the demurrer/motion-to-strike filer to take the motion off calendar (a request, not a mandate).

If, in response to a demurrer, a party exercises its right to amend a pleading as prescribed by Code of Civil Procedure section 472, subdivision (a), the Court requests that party to work with the party who filed the demurrer or motion to strike to take the demurrer or motion to strike off calendar so that the Court does not needlessly prepare tentative rulings.

INFO

On most motions the court issues written tentative rulings, posted on the court's website and at the courtroom no later than the morning of the hearing.

On most motions, the court issues written tentative rulings which the court will post on the court's Website and at the courtroom not later than on the morning of the hearing.

INFO

Summary judgment/adjudication motions are heard on Fridays, while all other motions are heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Motions for Summary Judgment/Adjudication are set for hearing on Fridays. All other motions are set for hearing on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

INFOCivil cases

An Informal Discovery Conference is not required before filing discovery motions; the Court may hold one at a party's request but may decline if the matter should be handled via a motion to compel or other discovery motion.

The Court does not require an Informal Discovery Conference ("IDC") prior to filing motions concerning discovery. At the request of a party, the Court may conduct an IDC to facilitate orderly discovery practice; however, the Court may decline to hold an IDC if the Court believes that matter should be handled via a motion to compel or other discovery motion.

INFO

The court expects and encourages informal resolution of discovery disputes rather than filing discovery motions.

The court expects and encourages the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties to informally resolve discovery disputes, instead of using expensive and cumbersome discovery motions.

INFO

The court makes no orders at the informal discovery conference unless the parties stipulate, because the conference is not a motion hearing.

Because an informal discovery conference is not a hearing on a motion, the court does not make any orders at the informal discovery conference unless the parties stipulate.

INFO

If meet and confer fails, either party may request that the court conduct an informal discovery conference to discuss the disputed discovery matters.

If an informal resolution is not reached after meeting and conferring, then either party may request that the court conduct an informal discovery conference for the purpose of discussing discovery matters in dispute between the parties. (Code Civ. Proc., § 2016.080.)

INFO

The court encourages the parties to schedule and conduct an informal discovery conference before filing a discovery motion.

the court encourages the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties to schedule and conduct an informal discovery conference before a discovery motion is filed.

INFO

In-person appearance at the IDC is preferred but not required if all parties agree; absent agreement, the IDC is conducted virtually.

The court prefers but does not require the parties to appear in person for the IDC if all parties agree. If no agreement, the IDC will be conducted virtually.

INFOCivil cases

The Court strongly encourages scheduling an informal discovery conference before setting a motion to compel.

The Court strongly encourages the parties to schedule an informal discovery conference ("IDC") prior to setting a motion to compel.

INFO

An Informal Discovery Conference is held case-by-case and is not required before filing a discovery motion; to request one, file the IDC request form (LACIV 094).

The Court will hold an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) on a case-by-case basis. There is no requirement to hold an IDC prior to filing a discovery motion. Please file an IDC request form (LACIV 094).

INFO

Informal discovery conferences will not be held in Song-Beverly cases.

An IDC will not be held for Song-Beverly cases.

INFO

IDCs are strongly encouraged but not required before filing motions to compel further responses to written discovery.

The court strongly encourages the parties to schedule an informal discovery conference ("IDC") before filing a motion to compel further responses to written discovery, but IDCs are no longer required.

INFO

The court may hold informal discovery conferences to resolve discovery disputes, held Monday through Thursday between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

The court may conduct an informal discovery conference (IDC) to assist counsel in resolving discovery disputes informally. IDCs are held Monday through Thursday, between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.

INFO

The court strongly encourages (but does not legally require) parties to confer on resolution of issues before filing any motion.

Although not legally required for every motion, the court strongly encourages parties and counsel to confer on potential resolution of issues prior to any motion being filed.

INFO

Parties are encouraged to stipulate to waive replies to motions in limine.

The parties are encouraged to stipulate to waive the filing of replies to motions in limine.

INFOCivil cases

An informal discovery conference (IDC) is not required before filing a discovery motion; if requested and granted, the Court sets the IDC date.

It is not necessary to reserve a date for the IDC on CRS. If the Court grants the request for an IDC, the Court will set a date for the IDC. It is not necessary to request an IDC before filing a discovery motion.

INFO

Ex parte applications should be noticed for hearing at 1:30 p.m. in Department 632.

Ex parte applications should be noticed for 1:30 p.m. in Department 632.

INFO

An Informal Discovery Conference is not required as a prerequisite to filing a motion to compel further responses unless the Court expressly orders otherwise.

First, unless otherwise expressly ordered by this Court, an Informal Discovery Conference (“IDC”) is not required as a prerequisite to filing a MTCFR.

INFO

No Informal Discovery Conference will be allowed or ordered for simple motions to compel (as opposed to motions to compel further responses).

Suffice it to state, on a simple Motion to Compel (“MTC”) – as opposed to a MTCFR – there will not be any IDC allowed or ordered.

INFO

Both parties may jointly request an Informal Discovery Conference in writing, briefly explaining the dispute and why it would help, and the Court will decide case-by-case whether to order one.

If both parties desire an IDC, they may jointly request one, in writing, briefly explaining the dispute, and why an IDC may be helpful. This Court will decide whether an IDC will be ordered on a case-by-case basis, after reviewing this written request.

INFOCivil cases

IDCs are considered upon submission of a joint brief (max 5 pages) including three proposed dates and reasons for the request, e-filed by all parties.

Department 307 will consider conducting an Informal Discovery Conference upon submission of a joint request stipulated upon by all parties. The request shall be made by a joint brief not to exceed 5 pages to be submitted via e-filing and shall include three (3) proposed dates for the IDC to be held and shall state all reasons for the request.