Los Angeles Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

INFOCivil cases

Before preparing an ex parte application for emergency relief, counsel should (but are not required to) request an informal conference by joint posting on the e-service bulletin and contacting courtroom staff for a time and date.

The court's willingness to conduct informal conferences on short notice often will obviate the time and expense necessary to litigate ex parte applications for emergency relief. Before investing any time in the preparation of an ex parte application, please consider posting a joint request for an informal conference on the e-service bulletin and contact the courtroom staff to obtain a time and date.

INFO

Upon written request of counsel, the Court may hold an informal discovery conference to resolve discovery disputes informally; IDCs are held Monday-Thursday 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Upon a written request of counsel, the Court may conduct an informal discovery conference (IDC) to assist counsel in resolving discovery disputes informally. IDCs are held Monday-Thursday 2:30-3:30 p.m.

INFOCivil cases

After the IDC process concludes, the Court will schedule hearing dates for any remaining motions to compel further.

At the conclusion of the IDC process, the Court will schedule hearing dates for any remaining motions to compel further.

INFO

The court is currently not conducting Informal Discovery Conferences, though this will change in time.

Currently, this court is not conducting Informal Discovery Conferences. This will change in time. Thank you in advance for your patience.

INFOCivil cases

The parties are encouraged to meet and confer before filing other motions, including summary judgment and summary adjudication motions.

The parties encouraged to meet and confer prior to filing any other motions, including summary judgment and summary adjudication motions.

INFO

Parties may optionally agree to schedule an IDC before any discovery motion is filed, which most often eliminates the need for full briefing and hearing.

In the alternative, the parties may agree to schedule an IDC before any discovery motion is filed to eliminate the time and expense of drafting a formal motion. That discussion most often eliminates any need for full briefing and hearing of a motion.

INFO

An Informal Discovery Conference is not required before filing a motion to compel, but parties must meet and confer first and may request an IDC if the dispute is unresolved.

The court does not require that parties schedule an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) before they file a motion to compel. Parties are required to meet and confer prior to filing a motion to compel and they may request an IDC with the Court if they are unable to resolve their discovery dispute.

INFO

The Court generally does not conduct IDCs in Song-Beverly Warranty Act cases, though parties may still request one and explain why it would be useful.

Song-Beverly Act Litigation. The Court generally does not conduct IDCs in cases alleging violations of the Song-Beverly Warranty Act and related claims, but the parties are not precluded form requesting one and explaining why it might be useful in the particular case.

INFO

Motions are heard Monday through Friday, and motions in limine are heard at the Final Status Conference rather than on regular motion dates.

Motions are set for hearing Monday through Friday. Motions in limine are heard during the Final Status Conference.

INFOCivil cases

An Informal Discovery Conference is not required before filing or hearing a discovery motion, but the Court considers it best practice.

While the Court does not require an IDC be held before a discovery motion is filed or heard, the best practice is to engage in an IDC before bringing a motion.

CRITICALCivil cases

If the discovery disputes are resolved before the IDC date, the moving party must notify the Court and take both the IDC and the underlying Motion to Compel Furthers off the hearing dates.

If the parties resolve their discovery disputes before the IDC date, Moving Party shall notify the Court and take both the IDC and any underlying Motion to Compel Furthers off hearing dates for any remaining motions to compel further.

CRITICAL

The parties must meet and confer no later than 11 calendar days before the final status conference to prepare the required trial documents and binders, discuss exhibit admissibility, attempt to stipulate to resolve motions in limine and ultimate facts/legal issues, and attempt to settle the case.

No later than 11 calendar days before the final status conference, the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties shall meet and confer 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 binders required in sections 3-5 below, (2) discuss 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

Written motions during trial require discussion with opposing counsel first; unresolved matters need a court conference.

During trial, if counsel needs to make motions instead oral motions, do not file a written motion during trial unless you have first discussed it with opposing counsel. If Counsel is unable to resolve it, then advise court staff that you need a conference with the Court.

WARNING

Counsel may request an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) by filing an online IDC request (form LACIV094) listing all disputed discovery issues; if granted the clerk schedules the IDC, which should eliminate the need for a motion, and absent good cause the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before the IDC process concludes.

If the dispute remains unresolved, counsel may request an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) by filing an IDC request online [LACIV094] list all discovery issues that are in dispute. The court will review the request and issue an order granting or denying the request. If granted, the clerk will schedule an IDC. The IDC should eliminate any need for a motion. Absent a showing of good cause, the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before the IDC process is concluded.