Los Angeles Superior Court Service and Proof of Service Rules

CRITICAL

Parties should not submit documents, correspondence, or other materials to the Court that have not first been served on all other appearing parties, except as expressly authorized by law or court rule. Unserved communications may constitute an improper ex parte communication. As a general practice, materials that have not been served on all parties will not be presented to the judicial officer for consideration and may be disregarded or otherwise disposed of without review.

Parties should not submit documents, correspondence, or other materials to the Court that have not first been served on all other appearing parties, except as expressly authorized by law or court rule. Unserved communications may constitute an improper ex parte communication. As a general practice, materials that have not been served on all parties will not be presented to the judicial officer for consideration and may be disregarded or otherwise disposed of without review.

CRITICAL

The Court cannot consider any filing unless it has been properly served under the applicable statutes and rules of court.

The Court cannot consider a filing unless it has been properly served in accordance with the applicable statutes and rules of court.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 calendar days

Applies to

Trial document

Parties must exchange and serve all enumerated trial documents at least 5 calendar days before the FSC unless the Court orders otherwise.

Unless otherwise specified, at least 5 calendar days prior to the FSC, the parties/counsel shall exchange and serve the following trial documents:

CRITICALCivil cases

Parties must disclose closing-argument graphics, demonstrative exhibits, and visual aids to opposing counsel by 8:30 am on the day of closing arguments or risk the Court prohibiting their use.

If a party wishes to use graphics, demonstrative exhibits, or other visual aids during their closing arguments, including presentations created with PowerPoint or other presentation software, they must disclose such material to their opposing counsel no later than 8:30 am on the day that closing arguments are scheduled, so that any objections may be identified and resolved. (Local Rule 3.180.) Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the Court prohibiting the use of such material.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summons and complaint

Plaintiffs must serve the summons and complaint on defendants within 60 days of filing the complaint or face sanctions, including dismissal.

Plaintiff(s) shall service the summons and complaint upon Defendant(s) within 60 days of filing of the complaint. (Rules of Court, rule 3.110 (b).) Failure to do so may result in the imposition of sanctions (See CCP §§ 128, 177.5; Rules of Court, rule 2.30), including dismissal (CCP §§ 583.410, 583.420), unless Plaintiff(s) shows cause why the court should not make such an order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Summons and complaint

Plaintiffs must serve summons and complaint on defendants within 60 days of filing the complaint, or face potential sanctions or dismissal.

Plainti (s) shall service the summons and complaint upon Defendant(s) within 60 days of filing of the complaint. (Rules of Court, rule 3.110 (b).) Failure to do so may result in the imposition of sanctions (See CCP §§ 128, 177.5; Rules of Court, rule 2.30), including dismissal (CCP §§ 583.410, 583.420), unless Plainti (s) shows cause why the court should not make such an order.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Complaint

All defendants must be served with the complaint no later than the case management conference.

All defendants must be served with the complaint by the case management conference.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit binder

An exhibit binder must also be supplied to each opposing party.

An exhibit binder must also be supplied to each opposing party.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 calendar days

Applies to

Motion in limine

Motions in limine must be served on all opposing parties and counsel at least 10 calendar days before the FSC.

All motions in limine, if any, must be in writing, numbered, and shall be served on all opposing parties and counsel and electronically filed at least ten (10) calendar days before the FSC.

CRITICAL

Deadline

10 court days

Parties must serve discovery excerpts to be used at trial on opponents in writing 10 court days before FSC.

All parties must serve on the opposing attorney/in pro per party in writing and no later than 10 court days before the FSC all excerpts from depositions, responses to interrogatories, responses to requests for admissions, or other discovery responses to be used for any purpose at trial other than solely for impeachment and mark each excerpt as an exhibit.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery

Parties intending to use discovery at trial must exchange the particulars in writing at least 10 court days before the FSC, or risk a court order prohibiting use of the discovery.

If the parties intend to use any discovery during trial, the parties must exchange in writing no later than 10 court days prior to the FSC the particulars of any such discovery. For example, if a party proposes to read or show a video excerpt from a deposition, the proffering party must identify in writing by name the deponent, page, and line numbers to opposing counsel no later than 10 court days prior to the FSC. Failure to provide the specific discovery intended to be used at trial in writing and on a timely basis may result in a Court order prohibiting the use of said discovery.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery excerpts

All parties must serve written discovery excerpts (except those used solely for impeachment), each marked as an exhibit, on the opposing party no later than 10 court days before the FSC.

All parties must serve on the opposing attorney/in pro per party in writing and no later than 10 court days before the FSC all excerpts from depositions, responses to interrogatories, responses to requests for admissions, or other discovery responses to be used for any purpose at trial other than solely for impeachment and mark each excerpt as an exhibit.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request for dismissal or notice of settlement

Parties exempt from e-filing must file and serve a printed copy of the Request for Dismissal or Notice of Settlement at least two (2) court days before the FSC.

If a party is exempt from the electronic filing requirements, that party shall file and serve a printed copy of the Request for Dismissal or Notice of Settlement at least two (2) court days before the scheduled FSC.

CRITICAL

Service

Electronic service

All parties who use e-filing must accept electronic service, except when personal service is required by law or where any party is self-represented.

Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6, local Rule 3.4, and General Order 2019-GEN-014-00 issued May 3, 2019, the Court orders all parties who use e-filing to accept electronic service, except in those circumstances when personal service is required by law or where any of the parties are self-represented.

CRITICAL

Motions in limine and bifurcation motions must be served with proper statutory notice.

MOTIONS IN LIMINE AND BIFURCATION MOTIONS must have been filed and served with proper statutory notice and set for hearing on the FSC

CRITICAL

Service

Electronic service

All e-filing parties must accept electronic service except when personal service required by law or any party is self-represented.

Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6, local Rule 3.4, and General Order 2019-GEN-014-00 issued May 3, 2019, the Court orders all parties who use e-filing to accept electronic service, except in those circumstances when personal service is required by law or where any of the parties are self-represented.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document production

Both parties must serve verifications along with the documents they produce in discovery.

Plaintiff and defendant shall serve verifications with the documents they produce.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case management order

Plaintiff's attorney must serve this Order and the attached Joint Case Management Conference Statement Addendum on all defense attorneys upon service of the Summons and Complaint.

Plaintiff's attorney is ordered to provide service of this Order and the attached Joint Case Management Conference Statement Addendum to all defense attorneys upon service of the Summons and the Complaint.

CRITICAL

Motions in limine must comply with the statutory notice provisions of Code of Civil Procedure section 1005.

The parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall comply with the statutory notice provisions of Code of Civil Procedure section 1005 and file declarations that comply with the requirements of Los Angeles County Court Rule 3.57, subdivision (a).

CRITICAL

In Song-Beverly cases, parties must exchange specified documents within 60 days of service of the CMC Order.

Within 60 days of service of this Order both plaintiff and defendant shall provide copies of the following documents, which are in their respective possession, custody and/or control, to the opposing side(s):

CRITICAL

Visual aids or graphic devices intended for closing argument must be shown to the opposing party before closing argument.

The parties are reminded that any visual aids or graphic devices a party intends to use during closing argument must be shown to the opposing party before the closing argument. (Super. Ct. L.A. County, Local Rules, rule 3.180.)

CRITICAL

PowerPoint slides must be provided to opposing counsel before the presentation, leaving sufficient time to object.

If a PowerPoint is to be used, a copy of the slides must be shared with the opposing counsel prior to the presentation leaving sufficient time to object.

CRITICAL

Deadline

5 calendar days

Applies to

Trial documents

Trial documents must be served no later than five calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

No later than five calendar days before the Final Status Conference, the parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall file and serve the following documents:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

All defendants must be served with the complaint by the case management conference.

All defendants must be served with the complaint by the case management conference.

CRITICAL

The Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Case Addendum to the Case Management Conference Statement must be served on all parties/attorneys of record concurrently with the Notice of Case Management Conference.

You are ordered to serve this Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Case Addendum to Case Management Conference Statement on all parties/attorneys of record concurrently with the Notice of Case Management Conference.

CRITICAL

Deadline

18 calendar days

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Parties' counsel and self-represented parties must exchange all trial exhibits no later than 18 calendar days before the Final Status Conference.

No later than 18 calendar days before the Final Status Conference, the parties’ counsel and any self-represented parties shall exchange all exhibits they intend to introduce at trial.

CRITICAL

Before reading deposition, interrogatory, or request-for-admission material into evidence, the party must notify the Court and opposing party of the specific page/line or numbers to be used.

Before reading into evidence any portion of a deposition, interrogatory, or request for admission, the party shall advise the Court and opposing party of the page and line number of the deposition, or the numbers of the interrogatories or requests for admission to be read or shown to the witness (SCLAC Local Rule 3.158).

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Final status conference document

Please serve and file all documents at least five (5) days prior to the Final Status Conference. (LASC Local Rule 3.25(f)(1) or otherwise ordered by the court.

Please serve and file all documents at least five (5) days prior to the Final Status Conference. (LASC Local Rule 3.25(f)(1) or otherwise ordered by the court.

CRITICALCivil cases

Motions in Limine must be filed and served on opposing parties in accordance with LASC Local Rule 3.25(f)(2).

Motions in Limine must be in writing, numbered, and shall be filed and served on opposing parties in accordance with Local Rule 3.25(f)(2).

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Electronic service

Written opposition to an ex parte application must be e-served by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing.

Any written opposition to an ex parte application shall be electronically filed and e-served by 8:30 a.m. the day of the hearing.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Email to all parties

Ex parte applications must be served by email on all parties who have appeared in the case.

Ex parte applications must comply with CRC 3.1200 et seq. and must be electronically filed by 10:00 a.m. the business day before the hearing and served by email on all parties who have appeared in the case.

CRITICAL

Ex parte applications must include proof of the required notice, and failure to provide proof of notice is a common ground for denial.

Please pay particular attention to the notice requirements and the requirement of an affirmative factual showing of good cause. Among the most common grounds for denial of ex parte applications are failure to provide proof of required notice and failure to prove why the application could not be brought as a noticed motion.

CRITICAL

Trial briefs must be signed, filed with the Court, and served on all parties.

The briefs must be signed, filed with the Court and served on all parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motions in limine

Motions in limine must be served at least 10 court days before FSC.

All motions in limine must be in writing and must be filed and served at least 10 court days before the FSC.

CRITICAL

The moving party must provide notice of this Standing Order (the IDC requirement).

Moving Party is ordered to provide notice of this Standing Order.

CRITICAL

When all parties submit on the tentative without oral argument, the tentative becomes the final ruling and counsel for the moving party must give notice of it.

If ALL parties submit without oral argument, then the matter will not be called and parties may be excused by the Judicial Assistant. The tentative will become the final ruling. Counsel for the moving party shall give notice of the final ruling.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Discovery documents

Within 30 days of the CMC order, both plaintiff and defendant must provide copies of specified case documents (purchase/lease contracts, repair orders and invoices, rental or loaner agreements, communications records, warranty claims, and warranty policy manuals) to the opposing side.

Production of Documents: Within 30 days of this order both plaintiff and defendant shall provide copies of the following documents, which are in their respective possession, custody and/or control, to the opposing side(s):

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Parties must exchange all exhibits they intend to introduce at trial no later than 21 days before the FSC.

No later than 21 days before the FSC, the parties shall exchange all exhibits they intend to introduce at trial.

CRITICAL

PowerPoint slides must be shared with opposing counsel in advance of opening or closing with sufficient time to raise issues with the Court before the presentation.

All PowerPoint slides shall be shared in advance of opening or closing in sufficient time to allow opposing counsel to raise issues with the Court before the presentation.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Notice off calendar

After calling Department 14, counsel must file and serve a notice that the matter is off calendar.

Counsel must call Department 14 as soon as possible to take a matter off calendar and then file and serve a notice that the matter is off calendar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

All defendants must be served with the complaint no later than the case management conference.

All defendants must be served with the complaint by the case management conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

All filed documents

Every document filed with the court must also be served on opposing counsel of record, or directly on a self-represented party.

All parties must also serve a copy of any document(s) filed with the court to the party's counsel of record or the party directly if the party is self-represented.

CRITICAL

Absent good cause, ex parte notice must be given by 10 a.m. on the court day before the hearing (CRC 3.1204).

Absent good cause, ex parte notice must be given by 10 a.m. on the court day before the hearing as required by California Rules of Court, Rule 3.1204, a copy of which follows this informational sheet.

CRITICALCivil cases

Service

Electronic service

All parties who use e-filing must accept electronic service, except when personal service is required by law or any party is self-represented.

Pursuant to CCP § 1010.6 and Local Rule 3.4 which references General Order 2020-GEN-018-00 issued June 11, 2020, the Court orders all parties who use e-filing to accept electronic service, except in those circumstances when personal service is required by law or where any of the parties are self-represented.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Expert declaration

Expert opinion declarations must be presented to court and opposing counsel by Final Status Conference.

If counsel or any unrepresented party intends to call an expert at trial, counsel shall present to the Court and opposing counsel a copy of the Code of Civil Procedure section 2034.260 declaration that states the substance of the proffered opinion. That document shall be produced at or before the Final Status Conference.