San Diego Superior Court Electronic Filing Rules
25 rules from official source documents
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
CRITICAL
All e-filers must comply with the court’s Civil Electronic Filing Requirements and the specified California Rules of Court.
All e-filers are required to comply with the e-filing requirements set forth in Electronic Filing Requirements (Civil) (SDSC Form #CIV-409) and California Rules of Court, rules 2.250-2.261.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Notice of lodgment
Notices of Lodgment must be e-filed without exhibits attached.
Notices of Lodgment must be e-filed without attached exhibits.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- E filed document
E-filed documents must be submitted through a court-approved EFSP; the court website lists approved providers by case type.
E-filed documents must be filed through one of the court’s approved electronic filing service providers (EFSP). The list of EFSPs may be found on the court’s website at https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov under “E- Filing” for the case type to be filed.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Civil document
Attorneys must electronically file documents in limited, unlimited, and complex civil actions, unless an ex parte application to be excused from e-filing is filed.
Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 and California Rules of Court, rule 2.250 et seq., documents filed in all limited, unlimited, and complex civil actions on or after April 15, 2021, must be filed electronically by attorneys representing a party or other person, unless an ex parte application is filed to be excused from the electronic filing program.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Construction defect action
Construction defect actions are mandatory electronic filing cases.
A construction defect action is designated as a mandatory Electronic Filing Case and is governed by General Order 010121-22(A). The electronic filing requirements must be adhered to.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- All written material
All pleadings, lodgments, trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists, and any other written material must be directly filed in Department 702.
All pleadings, lodgments, trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists, and any other written material must be directly filed in Department 702.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Motion
All motion should be filed digitally, and a courtesy copy placed in Department 75's mailbox on the second floor in the Hall of Justice Civil Business Office.
All motion should be filed digitally, and a courtesy copy placed in Department 75's mailbox on the second floor in the Hall of Justice Civil Business Office.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Ex parte papers
Ex parte papers must be filed digitally via E-FILE.
The ex parte papers are to be filed digitally via E-FILE with a courtesy copy placed in Department 75's mailbox on the second floor in the Hall of Justice Civil Business Office.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Trial documents
Trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists, and binders must be directly filed in Department 603; e-filing of trial documents is prohibited.
Trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists and binders must be directly filed in Department 603. Do not e-file trial documents. If filed in the Family Business Office, they will be sent to the assigned IC department and not this department.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibit binder judges copy
The Judge's copy of exhibit binders must be uploaded using the electronic evidence portal.
The Judge’s copy must be uploaded using the electronic evidence portal.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibits
All exhibits for the Judge's use must be uploaded using the Electronic Evidence Portal.
All exhibits for the Judge's use shall be uploaded using the Electronic Evidence Portal.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Trial documents
All trial-related documents must be filed directly in Department 704; e-filing of trial documents is prohibited.
All pleadings, lodgments, trial briefs, witness lists, exhibit lists and any other written material must be directly filed in Department 704. Do not e-file trial documents.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- All documents
Department 704 does not accept documents via email; do not request permission to email documents.
Department 704 will not accept any documents via email to the courtroom clerk. Do not ask the courtroom clerk directly for permission to email any documents.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Applies to
- Trial documents
Trial documents must not be e-filed.
DO NOT E-FILE TRIAL DOCUMENTS.
CRITICALCivil cases
The Court will not accept documents by email; do not request permission to email documents.
No documents will be accepted by email to the Court clerk. Do not ask the Court clerk for permission to receive documents by email.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Ex parte papers
Ex parte papers must be e-filed, except that e-filing is optional for self-represented parties.
Before noon on the day prior to the hearing, ex parte papers must be e-filed, and courtesy copies of the papers must be delivered to the Department 72 mailbox in the Civil Business Office. NOTE: E-filing is optional for self-represented parties.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial documents
All pleadings, lodgments, and hardcopies of exhibits must be filed directly in Department 904; trial documents must not be e-filed, except exhibits which must be uploaded on the proper portal before trial.
All pleadings, lodgments, and any required hardcopies of exhibits must be directly filed and/or lodged in Department 904. DO NOTE-FILE TRIAL DOCUMENTS (except, as noted, exhibits must generally be uploaded on the proper portal before trial).
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibits
All parties must upload trial and evidentiary hearing exhibits to the Electronic Exhibit Portal per Local Rule 5.8.4 unless exempted by court order.
Unless exempted by order of the Court, all parties, whether self-represented or represented by an attorney, must comply with San Diego Court Local Rule 5.8.4 regarding uploading all trial/evidentiary hearing exhibits to the new Electronic Exhibit Portal.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Mediator selection form
Parties are encouraged to select a mediator by the Case Management Conference and may submit the Mediator Selection Form by email within five court days of that conference.
Parties are encouraged to make their selection at or before the time of the Case Management Conference. Parties may utilize the on-line mediator search and submit their Mediator Selection Form (SDSC Form #CIV-005) via e-mail within five court days of the Case Management Conference.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Exhibit
Absent leave of court and subject to subdivision B, exhibits attached to or filed with motions or pleadings may be filed on paper or electronically if e-filing is available.
Absent leave of court, and except as provided in subdivision B, an exhibit attached to or filed with a motion or other pleading must be filed in paper format, or by e-filing if available.
WARNINGCivil cases
- Applies to
- Exhibits
Parties are encouraged to e-file all exhibits they intend to rely upon.
To the extent possible, parties are encouraged to e-file all exhibits they intend to rely upon.
WARNING
Requests for exemption from the electronic exhibit uploading requirements must comply with Local Rule 5.8.4(C).
Requests for exemption from the electronic uploading requirements must comply with Local Rule 5.8.4 (C).
INFO
Self-represented parties and persons are encouraged, but not required, to e-file.
E-filing is encouraged, but not mandated, for a self-represented party or other self-represented person.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Document not required to be accompanied by a fee
In limited civil cases, documents that do not require an accompanying fee may be filed directly by fax.
Any document not required to be accompanied by a fee may be filed directly by fax.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Documents
The court accepts documents submitted by fax filing agencies except documents excluded by the California Rules of Court.
The court will accept for filing all documents submitted by fax filing agencies, except those specified in the California Rules of Court.
Is electronic filing required in San Diego Superior Court?
San Diego Superior Court: Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All e-filers must comply with the court’s Civil Electronic Filing Requirements and the specified California Rules of Court.
Judge Blaine K. Bowman: Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Construction defect actions are mandatory electronic filing cases.
Judge Pamela M. Parker: No. Electronic filing is prohibited for the covered filings. All pleadings, lodgments, and hardcopies of exhibits must be filed directly in Department 904; trial documents must not be e-filed, except exhibits which must be uploaded on the proper portal before trial.
22 more rules answer this question.
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Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.
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E-service, mail, personal service, proof of service, certificate, and timing requirements.