San Diego Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit tag

Exhibit sticker tags must have the exhibit number, case number, and department number pre-written.

The exhibit sticker tag is to have the exhibit number, case number and department number pre-written as follows:

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial brief

Exhibits referenced in pre-trial filings (trial briefs or Motions in Limine) must be attached to those filings.

However, any exhibits referenced in the respective pre-trial filings (trial briefs and/or Motions in Limine) shall be attached to those briefs.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Discovery motion

The moving party may submit a concise outline of the discovery request and each response; requests and responses should be submitted as exhibits, tabbed and highlighted.

Moving party may submit a concise outline of the discovery request and each response in the dispute. Local Rule 2.1.21 prior order permitting this is not required. Instead submit the requests and responses as exhibits to the motion, tabbing and highlighting the relevant portions.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Lodged document

Lodged documents will be discarded or destroyed if not accompanied by an addressed envelope with sufficient postage or picked up within 10 days.

Documents / materials lodged with the court will be discarded/ destroyed if not accompanied by an addressed envelope with sufficient postage or picked up within 10 days See CRC 3.1302(b).

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed stipulated protective orders will only be approved if their language is consistent with the Court's stated sealing policy.

Proposed Stipulated Protective Orders for protection of confidential information will only be approved by the Court if the language in the proposed order is consistent with the Court's stated policy discussed above.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Advanced trial review order

Please review the department Advanced Trial Review Order and Sanchez Waiver prior to any Trial Readiness Conference hearing. The Court requests that a signed copy of these documents be brought to the first day of trial.

Please review the department Advanced Trial Review Order and Sanchez Waiver prior to any Trial Readiness Conference hearing. The Court requests that a signed copy of these documents be brought to the first day of trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial readiness report

A completed joint trial readiness conference report must be filed in advance of the hearing per local rule 2.1.15.

A completed joint trial readiness conference report shall be filed in advance of the hearing pursuant to local rule 2.1.15.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

All exhibits must be pre-marked in an up-to-date exhibit book.

All exhibits must be pre-marked in an up-to-date exhibit book.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits, demonstrative aids, and other opening statement materials must be shared with opposing counsel in advance.

All exhibits, demonstrative aids, or other material to be used in opening statements must be shared with opposing counsel in advance.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion in limine

All motions in limine must be filed in accordance with local rule 2.1.18.

All motions in limine must be filed per local rule 2.1.18.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Guardian ad litem application

Parties are reminded to submit attachment form ADM-430 (formerly CIV-383, now repealed), except if for an adult dependent.

Parties are reminded to submit attachment form ADM-430 (formerly CIV-383, now repealed), except if for an adult dependent.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

For motions to compel further responses, the moving party may submit a concise outline of the discovery request and each response in dispute instead of a separate statement; copies of the actual requests and responses must be submitted as exhibits or lodged.

In lieu of submitting a separate statement with a motion to compel further responses, the moving party may submit a concise outline of the discovery request and each response in dispute. In accordance with LR 2.1.21, a prior order permitting the concise outline is not required. However, in the event the moving party elects to submit a concise outline, copies of the actual requests and responses shall be submitted as exhibits or lodged in support of the motion.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Petition for minors compromise

Guardians ad litem must appear at the time of the hearing.

Guardians ad litem must appear at the time of the hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Lodged material

Lodged materials must be accompanied by an addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return mailing per CRC Rule 3.1302(b).

If documents or other materials are lodged in support of/opposition to a motion, CRC Rule 3.1302(b) requires the lodgment be accompanied by an addressed envelope with sufficient postage for mailing the material back to the lodging party.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Ex parte application

All ex parte applications must comply with CRC Rule 3.1200, et seq.

All ex parte applications must comply with California Rules of Court (CRC) Rule 3.1200, et seq.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Pro hac vice application

Must include

proposed order, certificate of service

Pro hac vice applications must comply with CRC Rule 9.40 and include proof of service on the State Bar, proof of payment of the required fee, and a proposed order.

Applications for admission pro hac vice must comply with CRC Rule 9.40. Applications must include proof of service on the State Bar of California, proof of payment of the required fee, and a proposed order.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

All exhibits should be pre-marked, with pages numbered.

All exhibits should be pre-marked, with pages numbered.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Joint trial notebook

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).

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibit list

Exhibit lists must be provided to the court in three copies (court, clerk, and court reporter if one is obtained).

Exhibit lists are to be provided to the court. Three (3) copies are to be provided – for the court, the court clerk, and the court reporter (if one is obtained by the parties).

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Please be sure to include a means of return for all exhibits.

Please be sure to include a means of return for all exhibits.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Income and expense declaration

Income and expense declarations must be complete per statutory requirements and follow the directions on form FL-150.

Please be sure income and expense declarations are complete per statutory requirements and follow directions on the form FL-150.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Expert comparison

Experts must meet and confer and provide the court a side-by-side comparison of their reports showing differences, reasons, and agreements.

Experts must meet and confer prior to the trial. They must prepare a side-by-side comparison that must be provided to the court showing the differences and the reasons for the differences and any agreements on the same issues for which they have submitted a report to the court for the trial (i.e. income available for support, business valuation).

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Text messages and social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.

Any text messages or social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Bank records and similar documents must be broken down into monthly periods, with each month labeled as a separate exhibit and multi-page documents bates stamped.

Documents such as bank records should be broken down to monthly periods. For example, bank statements for the period 1/1/22 through 1/31/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 1; bank statements for the period 2/1/22 through 2/28/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 2, and so on and so forth. The multi-paged documents should be bates stamped as indicated above.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Interpreter request form

If an interpreter is needed for a party or witness, please complete and file the Interpreter Request/Cancellation Form (SDSC ADM-348) as soon as possible. Please keep in mind, the Interpreter Request form should be filed at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the hearing/trial or it’s possible an interpreter will not be available.

If an interpreter is needed for a party or witness, please complete and file the Interpreter Request/Cancellation Form (SDSC ADM-348) as soon as possible. Please keep in mind, the Interpreter Request form should be filed at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the hearing/trial or it’s possible an interpreter will not be available.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Interpreter request form

Parties must file an Interpreter Request/Cancellation Form (SDSC ADM-348) as soon as possible if an interpreter is needed.

If an interpreter is needed for a party or witness, please complete and file the Interpreter Request/Cancellation Form (SDSC ADM-348) as soon as possible.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

If iPads are used for exhibits, all parties must provide one set of hard copy exhibits for the clerk to mark and for use in the event of equipment failure.

If iPads are utilized, one set of hard copy exhibits shall be provided by all parties, to be marked by the clerk and/or used in the event of equipment failure.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial brief

Trial briefs must be exchanged per California Rule of Court 5.394 unless the court orders otherwise, and must use form D-241.

They are to be exchanged by the parties according to Rule 5.394 of the California Rules of Court unless specifically ordered otherwise by the court. The trial brief form (D-241) can be located on the court’s website.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Exhibits

Text messages and social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.

Any text messages or social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Child testimony

Please provide the Court with a picture of the child/children.

Please provide the Court with a picture of the child/children.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Income and expense declaration

A current Income and Expense declaration must be filed and served with trial or evidentiary documents when financial relief is requested.

If a child support, spousal support, attorney fee, sanctions (if applicable) or financial request is being request, a current Income and Expense declaration must be filed and served with your trial/evidentiary documents.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Interpreter request form

File the Interpreter request/cancellation form (SDSC ADM-148) as soon as possible, generally 3-4 weeks before a hearing or trial.

If an interpreter is needed for a party or witness, please complete and file the Interpreter request/cancellation form (SDSC ADM-148) as soon as possible. Generally, it should be filed 3-4 weeks in advance of a hearing/trial.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Special verdict form

If the parties fail to make a genuine effort to limit disputes on the special verdict form, the court will utilize a general verdict form.

10. Special Verdict Form (either an agreed upon form or each side’s proposed forms). If the parties fail to make a genuine effort to limit disputes on the form of the special verdict, a general verdict form will be utilized.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed default judgment

Proposed default judgments claiming punitive or non-economic damages will usually require a hearing.

Proposed default judgments claiming punitive damages and/or non-economic damages will usually require a hearing.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

All exhibits must be pre-marked and have numbered pages.

All exhibits should be pre-marked, with pages numbered.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Proposed order

The proposed order should include the dates the parties are agreeing to.

The Proposed Order should have the proposed dates that the parties or agreeing to.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Application for order to serve by publication

Applications for order to serve by publication may be submitted without appearance; court will scrutinize affidavits for diligence.

Applications requesting an order to serve by publication may be submitted for review without an appearance. The Court will scrutinize affidavits to determine whether the applicant has been reasonably diligent in attempting service in another manner, as required by Code of Civil Procedure section 415.50, subdivision (a) and CRC 379.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

If a concise outline is submitted, copies of the actual requests and responses must be submitted as exhibits to the motion.

In accordance with local rule 2.1.21, a prior order permitting the concise outline is not required. However, in the event the moving party elects to submit a concise outline, copies of the actual requests and responses shall be submitted as exhibits to the motion.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Increased bid open court

To satisfy the 'responsible person' requirement, the overbidding party is expected to have certified funds or cashier's checks equal to at least 10% of the bid plus a loan qualification letter or bank statements at the confirmation hearing.

In making the determination whether the “responsible person” requirement has been met, the court will consider whether the overbidding party has in his or her possession at the confirmation hearing sufficient certified funds or cashier’s checks as a deposit in an amount equal to at least 10% of the amount he or she will bid, and a loan qualification letter or bank statements verifying the buyer’s ability to complete the sale.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Ex parte application

A reservation for a contested ex parte hearing is obtained by submitting the PR-136 Ex Parte Coversheet with the application and order to the Business Office; the number of reservations is limited.

A reservation may be obtained by submitting to the Business Office the Probate Ex Parte Coversheet (PR-136) with an Ex Parte Application and order. There is a limit on the number of reservations.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Trial brief

Trial briefs must include enumeration of issues and party positions with relief sought, statements of applicable facts and law including standards and burdens of proof, unusual evidentiary or legal issues, and all stipulated facts.

Trial briefs should include: (a) enumeration of the issues to be tried and the parties’ positions thereon, including the relief sought (and any specific dollar amounts sought) on the enumerated issues; (b) statements of the applicable facts and law, including the applicable standard(s) of proof, the party bearing the burden of proof and any burden shifting; (c) any unusual evidentiary or legal issues anticipated at trial; and (d) all matters of fact to which the parties stipulate.

WARNING

Applies to

Trial brief

Trial briefs should include: (a) enumeration of the issues to be tried and the parties’ positions thereon, including the relief sought (and any specific dollar amounts sought) on the enumerated issues as delineated the original petition; (b) statements of the applicable facts and law, including the applicable standard(s) of proof, the party bearing the burden of proof and any burden shifting; (c) any unusual evidentiary or legal issues anticipated at trial; and (d) all matters of fact to which the parties stipulate.

Trial briefs should include: (a) enumeration of the issues to be tried and the parties’ positions thereon, including the relief sought (and any specific dollar amounts sought) on the enumerated issues as delineated the original petition; (b) statements of the applicable facts and law, including the applicable standard(s) of proof, the party bearing the burden of proof and any burden shifting; (c) any unusual evidentiary or legal issues anticipated at trial; and (d) all matters of fact to which the parties stipulate.

WARNING

Applies to

Stipulation and order

Stipulations and orders must clearly identify the hearings and petitions, including all ROA numbers, to be vacated, dismissed, or taken off calendar.

Any stipulation/orders filed by the parties shall clearly state the hearings and petitions, including all ROA#s to be vacated, dismissed or taken-off calendar.

WARNING

Parties appearing on MS Teams or wishing to present evidence electronically must request at the appropriate time that the Court make them a presenter.

If you will be appearing on MS Teams and/or wish to present your evidence electronically, you will need to request at the appropriate time that the Court make you a presenter so that you can

WARNING

Parties offering electronic sound or sound and video recordings as evidence at trial must comply with CRC rule 2.1040(b), or the evidence may be excluded.

Parties must comply with CRC rule 2.1040(b) if they plan to offer any electronic sound or sound and video recording as evidence at trial. Failure to do so could result in the exclusion of said evidence.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

Parties appearing remotely must have copies of all exhibits in advance of the hearing; testing equipment in advance is strongly encouraged.

remotely) have copies of all such exhibits in advance of the hearing. It is strongly encouraged that the parties test out their equipment in advance of the proceeding to ensure everything is functioning properly and no time is wasted during the proceeding trying to troubleshoot an electronic evidence presentation.

WARNING

Applies to

Interpreter request

Parties must advise the Court at the TRC if interpreters are needed and request them via Form SDSC ADM-348 well in advance.

Advise the Court at the TRC if interpreters will be needed. The parties are responsible for requesting interpreters via Form SDSC ADM-348 well in advance, and this will be confirmed at the TRC.

WARNING

Applies to

Income expense declaration

Income and Expense Declarations must be submitted with the trial briefs when relevant to the proceedings.

All Income and Expense Declarations, if relevant to the proceedings, must be submitted with the briefs.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Court filing

Absent good cause, you must provide a current address and telephone number to the Court and include your contact information in each court filing.

Absent good cause, you must provide a current address and telephone number to the Court and include your contact information in each court filing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Settlement agreement

Put any settlement agreement in writing.

Put any settlement agreement in writing.