San Francisco Superior Court Document Format Requirements

Inappropriate exhibits must not be attached to proposed orders.

17. Attachment of inappropriate "exhibits" to proposed orders.

Parties must redact barcodes from documents filed conventionally.

In addition, parties must redact barcodes from documents that are conventionally filed.

Proposed jury instructions may not contain unfilled blanks or bracketed portions and must be complete; submitting only BAJI, CACI, or CALJIC numbers is insufficient.

No proposed instruction may contain unfilled blanks or bracketed portions. Proposed instructions must be complete in all respects. Submission of BAJI, CACI, or CALJIC numbers is not sufficient.

For each proposed jury instruction, the parties must provide the court with one copy containing appropriate points and authorities and one clean copy without authorities or other writing for the jury.

Parties must provide the Court with one copy of each instruction containing appropriate points and authorities and one copy without such points and authorities or other writing thereon, the latter form appropriate for submission to the jury.

All pleadings must use approved Judicial Council forms and any required local SFUFC forms.

All pleadings must be filed on approved Judicial Council forms. In addition, these LRSF require specific local forms.

Format

PAPER

Parties must bring paper exhibit copies for the bench, opposing counsel, themselves, and the clerk-retained marked copy.

Parties must bring to trial hard copies for the bench, opposing counsel, and themselves in addition to the item to be marked and retained by the clerk.

An electronic signer must use a verifiable electronic signature that is unique to and controlled by the signer and invalidated if the signed data changes, or instead physically sign a printed copy before filing and retain the original for court-ordered inspection and copying.

Any party, attorney, or agency who electronically signs a document that is Conventionally filed with the Court must either (a) sign the document using an electronic signature that is unique to the signer, capable of verification, under the sole control of the signer, and linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the electronic signature is invalidated or (b) physically sign a printed form of the document before filing and retain the original signed document to be made available for inspection and copying at the request of the Court or any other party.

Every petition for disclosure of juvenile justice court records must be filed in Room 101 at the Juvenile Justice Center using Judicial Council Form JV-570.

All Petitions for Disclosure of Juvenile Justice Court Records must be filed in Room 101 at the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) using Judicial Council Form JV-570.

All probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust accounts must be typewritten and comply with Probate Code §1060 et seq.

All accounts filed in probate proceedings, which include guardianship, conservatorship, and trust accounts, must be typewritten and must conform to Probate Code §1060 et seq.

The IDC letter may not exceed one-and-one-half pages, may not include exhibits or attachments, and must be delivered to the judge by 2:00 p.m. Pacific at least two court days before the IDC.

This letter, which must not be longer than one-and-one-half pages and must not include exhibits or attachments, will be delivered to the Judge by 2:00 p.m. (P.S.T.) no later than two (2) court days before the IDC.

The defendants' initial joint defense motion submission must be formatted as an indexed, tabbed binder.

Defendants must provide the trial department with courtesy copies of the initial joint defense MILs in a single submission containing all of the initial joint defense MILs accompanied by the respective Oppositions in an indexed, tabbed binder.

The plaintiffs' motions in limine submission must be formatted as an indexed, tabbed binder.

Plaintiffs must provide the trial department with courtesy copies of plaintiffs’ MILs in a single submission containing all of the plaintiffs’ MILs accompanied by the respective Oppositions in an indexed, tabbed binder.

Format

PAPER

A submission submitted for departmental review must be delivered as a paper hard copy directly to the department after payment of required fees.

Parties must first pay any required local fees electronically and then must deliver a paper hard copy of their submission directly to the department for the request to be reviewed and considered.

Attorney-fee and expense claims must follow the format specified in the Manual.

Claims for compensation of attorneys’ fees and expenses must be made following a format set forth in the Manual.

Counsel must specifically describe the services performed in an attorney-fee or expense claim.

Counsel must set forth with particularity the nature of the services performed

Barcodes must be redacted from documents submitted through conventional filing.

In addition, parties must redact barcodes from documents that are conventionally filed.

Signatures on electronically filed documents must comply with California Rule of Court 2.257.

Signatures on e-filed documents must comply with CRC 2.257.

An electronic signature on a conventionally filed document must be unique, verifiable, solely controlled by the signer, and invalidated if the signed data are changed.

Any party or attorney who electronically signs a document that is Conventionally filed with the Court must either (a) sign the document using an electronic signature that is unique to the signer, capable of verification, under the sole control of the signer, and linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the electronic signature is invalidated

As an alternative qualifying signature method, a filer must physically sign a printed document before filing and retain the original for inspection and copying upon request.

physically sign a printed form of the document before filing and retain the original, signed document to be made available for inspection and copying at the request of the Court or any other party.

Medical, psychological, or educational reports concerning a minor child may not be attached to filed pleadings.

Medical, psychological, or educational reports concerning a minor child must not be attached to filed pleadings.

Format

DOCX

The attorney’s electronic proposed order must be prepared in Microsoft Word format.

Any attorney submitting a proposed order to the court must also submit an electronic version (Microsoft Word) of the proposed order by email to the clerk in the assigned trial department.

Unless covered by a stipulation, exhibits must be marked, identified, and offered, and parties must bring hard copies for the bench, opposing counsel, themselves, and the clerk-retained trial item.

Unless subject to such a stipulation, all exhibits must be individually marked, identified, and offered into evidence at trial. Parties must bring to trial hard copies for the bench, opposing counsel, and themselves in addition to the item to be marked and retained by the clerk. Unless otherwise ordered, exhibits will be marked in the order in which they are introduced into evidence during trial.

A party, attorney, or agency electronically signing a conventionally filed document must use an electronic signature that meets the stated uniqueness, verification, control, and data-linkage requirements.

Any party, attorney, or agency who electronically signs a document that is Conventionally filed with the Court must either (a) sign the document using an electronic signature that is unique to the signer, capable of verification, under the sole control of the signer, and linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the electronic signature is invalidated

Alternatively, a signer of a conventionally filed juvenile dependency document must physically sign a printed copy before filing and retain the original for inspection and copying when requested.

or (b) physically sign a printed form of the document before filing and retain the original signed document to be made available for inspection and copying at the request of the Court or any other party.

Probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust accounts must be typewritten and conform to Probate Code §1060 et seq.

All accounts filed in probate proceedings, which include guardianship, conservatorship, and trust accounts, must be typewritten and must conform to Probate Code §1060 et seq.

Photocopies are not acceptable for verification of fiduciary cash balances.

Photocopies are not acceptable.

Computer-generated printouts submitted for cash-balance verification must comply with Probate Code §2620(c)(1) and CRC 7.575(b).

For computer-generated printouts, comply with Probate Code section 2620(c)(1) and CRC 7.575(b).

The required statutory language on the face sheet of a section 2105(g) petition must be in capital letters and at least 12-point type.

Petitions filed under Prob. Code §2105(g) must include the language "FILED UNDER PROBATE CODE SECTION 2015(g)" in capital letters on the face sheet of the petition, in at least 12-point font.

Evidence may not be submitted only as items contained on a phone, laptop, or tablet; it must be printed or transferred to a court-reviewable device and retained for the record.

The Court will not accept into evidence items contained on a cell phone, laptop or electronic tablet. These items must be printed out, downloaded to a CD, zip drive, or other electronic device that can be reviewed by the Court and retained for the record.

The Notice of Appeal submission must include the referenced documents and two copies of each form and be filed with the criminal-division appeals clerk under CRC Rule 8.902(a)'s time limits.

These documents and two copies of each form must be filed with the appeals clerk, criminal division in the Hall of Justice, within the time limits established under CRC Rule 8.902(a).

The proposed statement on appeal form must be filed as an original plus two copies with the criminal-division appeals clerk by the deadline established by CRC Rule 8.915.

An original and two copies of the form must be filed with the appeals clerk in the criminal division of the Hall of Justice, within the time limits established by CRC Rule 8.915.

The informal-discovery letter must be no longer than one-and-one-half pages, contain no exhibits or attachments, and be delivered to the judge by 2:00 p.m. Pacific at least two court days before the conference.

This letter, which must not be longer than one-and-one-half pages and must not include exhibits or attachments, will be delivered to the Judge by 2:00 p.m. (P.S.T.) no later than two (2) court days before the IDC.

A holographic instrument offered for probate must be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy.

When a holographic instrument is offered for probate, it must always be accompanied by an exact typewritten copy.

Every electronically filed document must comply with CRC 2.100 and its associated formatting rules for paper pleadings.

The format of all E-Documents must comply with CRC 2.100 et seq., the rules governing formatting of paper pleadings.

Signatures on electronically filed documents must comply with CRC 2.257.

Signatures on E-Documents must comply with CRC 2.257.

A proposed order submitted after the hearing must include an original, one copy, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and compliance with CRC 3.1312.

When submitting a proposed order after the session is over, submit an original, one copy, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Compliance with CRC 3.1312 is required.

All custody evaluation and brief focused assessment orders must use SFUFC Form 11.16-F together with Judicial Council Form FL-327.

SFUFC Form 11.16-F must be used for all custody evaluation orders and BFA orders in conjunction with Judicial Council form FL-327 (ORDER APPOINTING CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATOR).

An attorney preparing a custody evaluation order or stipulation must use the prescribed forms and should obtain the evaluator’s signature whenever possible, with a facsimile signature acceptable.

Any attorney preparing an order or stipulation for a custody evaluation must: a. Use the appropriate forms, per #1 above and obtain the evaluator’s signature on the prepared order whenever possible (a facsimile signature is acceptable);

The front page of every motion support or opposition paper must state the hearing time, calendar, and department.

All papers filed in support or opposition to any motion must indicate the time, calendar, and department on the front page.

Electronically signed documents conventionally filed in juvenile dependency cases must use a unique, verifiable, signer-controlled electronic signature invalidated by data changes, or alternatively must be physically signed before filing with the original retained for inspection and copying.

The Court accepts electronic signatures on documents Conventionally filed in a juvenile dependency case. Any party, attorney, or agency who electronically signs a document that is Conventionally filed with the Court must either (a) sign the document using an electronic signature that is unique to the signer, capable of verification, under the sole control of the signer, and linked to data in such a manner that if the data are changed, the electronic signature is invalidated or (b) physically sign a printed form of the document before filing and retain the original signed document to be made available for inspection and copying at the request of the Court or any other party.

Format

PAPER

The proposed order must be submitted as a hard copy and drafted as though the petition will be granted.

The proposed order must be a hard copy and prepared on the assumption that the petition will be granted.

A creditor’s claim must use the Judicial Council form, although a claim substantially complying with the Probate Code will be liberally construed in favor of sufficiency.

A creditor’s claim must be submitted on the Judicial Council form; however, a creditor’s claim will be liberally construed in favor of its sufficiency if the content and format are in substantial compliance with the Probate Code.

Probate, guardianship, conservatorship, and trust accounts must be typewritten and comply with Probate Code § 1060 et seq.

All accounts filed in probate proceedings, which include guardianship, conservatorship, and trust accounts, must be typewritten and must conform to Probate Code §1060 et seq.

Each judgment packet must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Self-addressed stamped envelopes must be submitted along with each Judgment packet.

Applies to

Account statement

Photocopies are not acceptable, and computer-generated account printouts must comply with Probate Code section 2620(c)(1) and CRC 7.575(b).

Photocopies are not acceptable. For computer-generated printouts, comply with Probate Code section 2620(c)(1) and CRC 7.575(b).

All e-documents must comply with the formatting rules applicable to paper pleadings under CRC 2.100 et seq.

The format of all E-Documents must comply with CRC 2.100 et seq., the rules governing formatting of paper pleadings.

Format

PAPER

Courtesy copies generally must be submitted in paper format, but the judge hearing the matter may specifically permit another format.

Courtesy copies must be in paper format, unless specifically permitted otherwise by the judge hearing the matter.

All papers relating to Discovery Department motions must display “DISCOVERY” in capital letters on the title page.

The word “DISCOVERY’ must be typed in capital letters on the title page of all papers relating to motions heard in the Discovery Department.

Every submission or resubmission of a judgment packet must include at least one sufficiently sized and stamped self-addressed envelope capable of returning the entire packet if rejected.

Each time a Judgment packet is submitted or resubmitted, at least one self-addressed stamped envelope must be submitted that is of sufficient size and postage to return the entire Judgment packet to the submitting party in the event the Court rejects the Judgment.

A judgment packet containing a request to enter default must also include a separate, sufficiently posted envelope addressed to the respondent for mailing the request and attachments.

If a REQUEST TO ENTER DEFAULT is submitted as part of a Judgment packet, a separate envelope for the REQUEST TO ENTER DEFAULT that is addressed to the respondent must be submitted with sufficient postage to mail the REQUEST TO ENTER DEFAULT and any attachments thereto to the respondent.

The respondent's address in a request to enter default must comply with CCP section 1013.

The address for the respondent in a REQUEST TO ENTER DEFAULT must comply with CCP § 1013.

An order will not be signed if its final page contains only the signature line; at least three lines must separate the order’s last substantive line from the signature line.

The Court will not sign orders where the last page includes only the signature line and there should be at least three lines between the last line of the order and the signature line.

In the Probate Department, a courtesy copy must be a single-sided, endorsed-filed copy.

A “courtesy copy” is an endorsed-filed, single-sided copy. [CRC 2.102 and 2.117.]

A trial brief may not be used as another form of a motion in limine.

The trial brief may not be another form of a MIL.

Individual case management statements will not be considered, and the Judicial Council form may not be used.

Individual statements will not be considered. Do not use the Judicial Council form for case management conference statements.

Papers relating to Discovery Department motions must display the word “DISCOVERY” in capital letters on the title page.

The word “DISCOVERY’ must be typed in capital letters on the title page of all papers relating to motions heard in the Discovery Department.

Signatures on e-documents must comply with CRC 2.257.

Signatures on E-Documents must comply with CRC 2.257.

All e-documents must comply with the paper-pleading formatting rules in CRC 2.100 et seq.

The format of all E-Documents must comply with CRC 2.100 et seq., the rules governing formatting of paper pleadings.

Papers supporting or opposing a motion must identify the hearing time, calendar, and department on the front page.

All papers filed in support or opposition to any motion must indicate the time, calendar, and department on the front page.

An order must have at least three lines between its final substantive line and the signature line.

5) The Court will not sign orders where the last page includes only the signature line and there should be at least three lines between the last line of the order and the signature line.

A courtesy copy must be an endorsed-filed, single-sided copy.

1) A “courtesy copy” is an endorsed-filed, single-sided copy. [CRC 2.102 and 2.117.]

Creditors’ claims must use the Judicial Council form, although substantial compliance with the Probate Code is liberally construed in favor of sufficiency.

A creditor’s claim must be submitted on the Judicial Council form; however, a creditor’s claim will be liberally construed in favor of its sufficiency if the content and format are in substantial compliance with the Probate Code.

Inappropriate exhibits must not be attached to proposed orders.

Attachment of inappropriate "exhibits" to proposed orders.

Counsel is expected to provide time sheets or other supporting documentation if the Court or an authorized reviewer requests them.

Counsel must set forth with particularity the nature of the services performed and are expected to make available time sheets or other documentation if requested by the Court or by any entity or person authorized by the Court to review such fee requests.

Each joint motion in limine may address only one issue and may not use subparts for additional issues.

Each joint MIL must be restricted to one issue and may not have subparts addressing additional issues.

Only one declaration may support each motion in limine unless the court grants leave.

Only one declaration is permitted per MIL absent leave of Court.

The disputed transcript must use contrasting colors for designated testimony and counters and place objections in the margin.

The testimony will be marked in contrasting colors, with designated testimony in one color, counters in another color, and objections in the margin,

Exhibits are prohibited in plaintiff and defendant trial briefs.

Plaintiff’s trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted. Defendant’s trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.

Electronically filed evidence, including PDF evidence compendiums, must be bookmarked and hyperlinked.

Evidence filed electronically, including (for example) PDF compendiums of evidence for summary judgment and class certification motions, shall be bookmarked and hyperlinked.

The courtesy copy of an ex parte application and its proposed order must be provided in both PDF and Word formats.

Any party seeking ex parte relief shall file their ex parte application and e-mail a courtesy copy, including the proposed order—in both PDF and Word formats—to Department 613.

Documents containing a private surety's financial or identifying information must be supplied at the hearing in an envelope marked with the case caption.

Counsel for any defendant seeking a bail undertaking by private surety must provide the Court at the time of the hearing with a proposed sealing order for the surety or sureties’ private financial information and/or personal identifying information, and counsel must also provide an envelope marked with the case caption for those documents.

Format

PAPER

Courtesy copies generally must be submitted in paper format, although the presiding judge may specifically permit another format.

Courtesy copies must be in paper format, unless specifically permitted otherwise by the judge hearing the matter.

The title entered in the Vendor system must exactly match the E-Document's caption title.

The document title entered on the Vendor system must match exactly the title in the caption of the E-Document.

The title page of every paper related to discovery must include the word “discovery.”

4) Discovery. The word “discovery” must be typed on the title page of all papers related to discovery.

An order must have at least three lines between the last order text and the signature line; the Court will not sign an order whose final page contains only the signature line.

4) The Court will not sign orders where the last page includes only the signature line and there should be at least three lines between the last order and the signature line.

Inappropriate exhibits must not be attached to proposed orders.

Attachment of inappropriate "exhibits" to proposed orders.

The required pre-IDC hard-copy letter must be no longer than one-and-one-half pages, contain no exhibits or attachments, and be delivered to the SAJ by 2:00 p.m. Pacific time at least two court days before the IDC.

This letter, which must not be longer than one-and-one-half pages and must not include exhibits or attachments, will be delivered to the SAJ by 2:00 p.m. (P.S.T.) no later than two (2) court days before the IDC.

Each joint motion in limine must address only one issue and may not contain subparts addressing additional issues.

Each joint MIL must be restricted to one issue and may not have subparts addressing additional issues.

The court will not return unused envelopes.

Unused envelopes will not be returned.

The Court accepts electronic signatures on documents conventionally filed in juvenile dependency cases.

The Court accepts electronic signatures on documents Conventionally filed in a juvenile dependency case.

The stated motion-in-limine limitations do not apply to motions under California Evidence Code sections 402 or 403.

These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE. §§ 402 and 403.

Dockets and registers of actions may be maintained through photographic, microphotographic, mechanical, or electronic storage, provided record completeness and chronological sequence are preserved and the resulting media meet the stated quality standards.

Dockets or registers of actions may be maintained by means of photographing, microphotographing, or mechanically or electronically storing the whole content of all papers or records, or any portion thereof as will constitute a memorandum, necessary to the keeping of a docket or register of actions so long as the completeness and chronological sequence of the records are not disturbed. Such photograph, microphotograph, microphotographic film or photocopy must be made in a manner and on paper or film in compliance with the minimum standards of quality approved by the National Bureau of Standards.

The court recommends submitting judicial-notice documents in a single tabbed and indexed binder.

The Court recommends that any such documents be submitted to the Court in a single tabbed, indexed binder.