Judge Katherine A. Bacal
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
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Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Guardian ad litem applications will not be granted unless the moving party submits the documents required by San Diego Superior Court Local Rules, Rule 2.4.6.
Applications for the appointment of guardians ad litem will not be granted unless the moving party submits the documents required by the San Diego Superior Court Local Rules, Rule 2.4.6.
Document Type
Guardian Ad Litem Application
All exhibits must be pre-marked and have numbered pages.
All exhibits should be pre-marked, with pages numbered.
Document Type
Exhibits
Virtual appearance at Trial Call is permitted only if a joint trial notebook has been previously submitted, containing the statement of the case, joint witness list, joint exhibit list, jury instructions, and proposed verdict forms.
The Court allows virtual appearances at Trial Call only if parties previously submitted a joint trial notebook, containing: 1. Agreed upon statement of the case; 2. Joint Witness List (all witnesses on one list); 3. Joint Exhibit List, with objections noted; 4. Joint set of jury instructions, in the order they are to be given with objections noted; 5. Proposed verdict form(s).
Document Type
Joint Trial Notebook
For guardian ad litem, publication, pro hac vice, and default prove-up applications, moving papers must be submitted (with proof of service if applicable) and the court may set a hearing if necessary.
Guardian and Testament/Publication of Summons/Pro Hac Vice/Default prove ups: Submit moving papers for the court, with proof of service, if applicable; the court may set a hearing if deemed necessary.
Document Type
Application
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions in Limine must be filed at least 5 court days before Trial Call.
MILs must be filed at least 5 court days prior to Trial Call.
Page 1 | 6. Trials
Ex parte papers must be submitted by noon on the day before the hearing.
Papers are due before noon the day before the hearing, with the appropriate fee.
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Oppositions to Motions in Limine must be filed at least 2 court days before Trial Call.
Oppositions to MILs must be filed at least 2 court days prior to Trial Call.
Page 1 | 6. Trials
The Joint TRC Report is due five court days before the scheduled TRC; if it is late and the matter is not fully resolved, trial counsel must appear in person.
Parties must submit their Joint TRC Report five court days before the twenty TRC. If a joint TRC report is not timely filed and the matter has not fully resolved, trial counsel must appear in person at the TRC.
Page 1 | 4. Trial Readiness Conferences (TRCs)
Filing Fees and Waivers
The appropriate filing fee must accompany ex parte papers.
Papers are due before noon the day before the hearing, with the appropriate fee.
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Filing Bundling Requirements
Replies to Motions in Limine are not permitted.
No replies to MILs.
Page 1 | 6. Trials
Motions in Limine and any oppositions must be combined in a second notebook, not filed as separate notebooks.
Parties must also submit a second notebook containing Motions in Limine (MIL), followed by Oppositions, if any (not separate notebooks).
Page 1 | 5. Trial Calls
Chambers Communication Rules
Ex parte hearings must be reserved by calling the calendar clerk.
Parties must reserve an ex parte hearing by calling the calendar clerk.
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Informal discovery or pleading conferences can be scheduled with the calendar clerk, but parties must first actually discuss the dispute (an email/letter is not enough).
The court welcomes informal discovery conferences and/or informal pleading conferences, which may be set by calling the calendar clerk. Before reserving an informal conference, parties must actually discuss the dispute with each other (an email/letter is insufficient).
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Law and motion hearings must be reserved by calling the calendar clerk or using the 'Reserve a Motion Date' application on the Court's website.
All law and motion matters are heard by reservation either by calling the calendar clerk or using the "Reserve a Motion Date" application on the Court's website.
Page 1 | 2. Law and Motion Matters