Court Rules

San Francisco Superior Court Page & Word Limits

35 rules from official source documents

Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge. This page is scoped to San Francisco Superior Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Update declaration

An update declaration may not exceed 5 pages, excluding exhibits.

parties may file and serve an update declaration (not to exceed 5 pages in length, not including exhibits) updating the Court with any new and relevant information since the last hearing date.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
15 pages
Applies to
Points and authorities

Points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages, although the court may allow additional pages on a showing of good cause.

D. Points and authorities must not exceed 15 pages. On application, the Court may permit additional pages upon good cause shown.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Motion in limine

Each side may initially file five joint motions in limine, with no more than five pages per motion and one issue per motion, but Evidence Code sections 402 and 403 motions are exempt from these limits.

Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion. Each joint MIL must be restricted to one issue and may not have subparts addressing additional issues. These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE. §§ 402 and 403.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Opposition

Oppositions to initial motions in limine are limited to five oppositions, with no more than five pages per opposition.

Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

Only one declaration may accompany each motion in limine absent court permission, and the declaration may not exceed three pages absent leave of court; Evidence Code sections 402 and 403 motions are exempt from these limitations.

Only one declaration is permitted per MIL absent leave of Court. Declarations may not exceed three (3) pages in length absent leave of Court. These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE. §§ 402 and 403.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

When multiple defendants address the same expert, they must submit a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration of three pages or fewer absent court permission.

However, if more than one defendant seeks to address the same expert, the request must be submitted as a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration which must not exceed three (3) pages, absent leave of Court.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Additional mil leave declaration

A declaration submitted to obtain leave to file an additional motion in limine may not exceed three pages.

Before additional MILs are filed, a party must request leave to file additional MILs by submitting to the to the trial judge or the Judge a declaration, which does not exceed three (3) pages demonstrating good cause and a brief description of the evidence

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
10 pages
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Trial brief

Plaintiffs' trial briefs are limited to 10 pages and defendants' trial briefs to 5 pages, and neither may include exhibits.

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.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Update declaration

When a review hearing is set, both parties may file and serve an update declaration at least 10 calendar days before the hearing, subject to a different deadline specified by the Court, and the declaration may not exceed 5 pages excluding exhibits.

5) Update Declaration. When a review hearing is set, at least 10 calendar days prior to the review hearing (unless the Court specifies a different deadline), both parties may file and serve an update declaration (not to exceed 5 pages in length, not including exhibits) updating the Court with any new and relevant information since the last hearing date.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
15 pages
Applies to
Points and authorities

Criminal motions’ points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages unless the court permits more pages on a showing of good cause.

Points and authorities must not exceed 15 pages. On application, the Court may permit additional pages upon good cause shown.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Motion in limine

Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs, each no longer than five (5) pages.

Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Opposition

Oppositions to initial motions in limine are limited to five oppositions, with no opposition exceeding five pages, subject to the stated evidentiary exceptions.

Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

A declaration supporting a motion in limine may not exceed three pages without court approval.

Declarations may not exceed three (3) pages in length absent leave of Court.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

When multiple defendants seek to address the same expert, they must submit a joint motion with no more than one declaration, and that declaration may not exceed three pages without court approval.

However, if more than one defendant seeks to address the same expert, the request must be submitted as a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration which must not exceed three (3) pages, absent leave of Court.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

Before filing additional motions in limine, a party must seek leave through a declaration of no more than three pages showing good cause, describing the evidence, and explaining why the additional motion is necessary.

Before additional MILs are filed, a party must request leave to file additional MILs by submitting to the to the trial judge or the Judge a declaration, which does not exceed three (3) pages demonstrating good cause and a brief description of the evidence sought to be addressed and an explanation as to why the additional MIL is required.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
10 pages
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Trial brief

Plaintiff trial briefs are limited to 10 pages and defendant trial briefs are limited to 5 pages; exhibits are not permitted in either brief.

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.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
15 pages
Applies to
Case management statement

Unless the court orders otherwise, case management statements may not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits.

Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
15 pages
Applies to
Points and authorities

Criminal-motion points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages, although the court may allow additional pages for good cause shown on application.

Points and authorities must not exceed 15 pages. On application, the Court may permit additional pages upon good cause shown.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Motion in limine

Each side may submit no more than five initial joint motions in limine, with each motion limited to five pages, and opposing parties may submit no more than five oppositions, each limited to five pages.

Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion. Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

Only one declaration is permitted per motion in limine, and each declaration may not exceed three pages, absent leave of court.

Only one declaration is permitted per MIL absent leave of Court. Declarations may not exceed three (3) pages in length absent leave of Court.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Motion in limine

When multiple defendants address the same expert, the request must be joint and supported by no more than one declaration of no more than three pages, absent leave of court.

However, if more than one defendant seeks to address the same expert, the request must be submitted as a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration which must not exceed three (3) pages, absent leave of Court.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration

A party must obtain leave before filing additional motions in limine by submitting a declaration of no more than three pages demonstrating good cause, describing the evidence to be addressed, and explaining why the additional motion is necessary.

Before additional MILs are filed, a party must request leave to file additional MILs by submitting to the to the trial judge or the SAJ a declaration, which does not exceed three (3) pages demonstrating good cause and a brief description of the evidence sought to be addressed and an explanation as to why the additional MIL is required.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
10 pages
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Trial brief

Plaintiff’s trial brief is limited to 10 pages and defendant’s trial brief is limited to 5 pages; exhibits are not permitted in either brief, and a party may request an extension for good cause.

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.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source
Limit
15 pages
Applies to
Case management statement

Unless the court orders otherwise, case management statements may not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without court approval.

Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without Court approval.

Judge Stephen M. MurphyCRITICAL
Limit
15 pages
Applies to
Case management statement

Case management statements may not exceed 15 pages excluding exhibits unless the court approves a different length or requires the statement itself.

Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without Court approval.

Judge Stephen M. MurphyCRITICAL
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Joint motion in limine

Each side initially may file five joint motions in limine, with each motion limited to five pages excluding exhibits.

Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion, excluding exhibits.

Judge Victor HwangCRITICAL
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration supporting joint expert motion

The declaration supporting a joint motion to exclude an expert on the same arguments or legal theories is limited to three pages.

However, should the Defendants seek to exclude the same expert on the same arguments or the same legal theories in an Evid. Code § 402 hearing, the Defendants must submit the request under a joint motion with only one declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages.

Judge Victor HwangCRITICAL
Limit
10 pages
Applies to
Plaintiff trial brief

Plaintiff's trial brief is limited to ten pages, with no exhibits permitted.

Plaintiff's trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted.

Judge Victor HwangCRITICAL
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Defendant trial brief

Defendant's trial brief is limited to five pages, with no exhibits permitted.

Defendant's trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.

Judge Victor HwangCRITICAL
Limit
5 pages
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Discovery motion

For an agreed expedited discovery briefing, the motion and response are each limited to five pages, the reply to three pages, and the hearing must be set ten days after the last filing.

The Court is open to the parties agreeing to an expedited briefing schedule where one side files a 5-page motion, the other side files a 5-page response, the moving party a 3-page reply and a hearing date is set 10 days out from the last filing.

Court-level rulesWARNINGOfficial source
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration supporting motion in limine

A supporting declaration for a motion in limine should not exceed three pages.

Declaration should not exceed three (3) pages.

Judge Victor HwangWARNING
Applies to
Expert motion in limine

The initial five-motion limit does not apply to expert-related motions, including motions under Evidence Code sections 402 and 403.

This five motion limit does not include motions pertaining to experts such as motions under Evid. Code §§402, 403.

Judge Victor HwangWARNING
Limit
3 pages
Applies to
Declaration requesting additional motions in limine

A declaration requesting additional motions in limine on a showing of good cause must not exceed three pages.

If a party has good cause for additional MILs, that party may request additional MILs by submitting a declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages, to the trial judge or the Supervising Asbestos Judge with a brief description of the evidence sought to be precluded or limited and an explanation as to why the motion is required.

Judge Victor HwangWARNING
Limit
5 pages
Applies to
Update declaration

When a review hearing is set, both parties may file and serve an update declaration of no more than five pages, excluding exhibits, at least ten calendar days before the hearing unless the court specifies a different deadline.

5) Update Declaration. When a review hearing is set, at least 10 calendar days prior to the review hearing (unless the Court specifies a different deadline), both parties may file and serve an update declaration (not to exceed 5 pages in length, not including exhibits) updating the Court with any new and relevant information since the last hearing date.

Court-level rulesINFOOfficial source

The stated motion in limine page limits do not apply to motions under California Evidence Code sections 402 and 403.

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

Court-level rulesINFOOfficial source
Common questions about San Francisco Superior Court page & word limits

What page or word limits apply to update declaration in San Francisco Superior Court?

San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Excludes exhibits. An update declaration may not exceed 5 pages, excluding exhibits.

View ruleSource: page 75, section B. Child Custody and Visitation Matters

What page or word limits apply to points and authorities in San Francisco Superior Court?

San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages, although the court may allow additional pages on a showing of good cause.

View ruleSource: page 195, section Rule 16

What page or word limits apply to motion in limine in San Francisco Superior Court?

San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Each side may initially file five joint motions in limine, with no more than five pages per motion and one issue per motion, but Evidence Code sections 402 and 403 motions are exempt from these limits.

View ruleSource: page 230, section 20.3 Trial Management — A. Motions in Limine

What page or word limits apply to opposition in San Francisco Superior Court?

San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 5 pages. Oppositions to initial motions in limine are limited to five oppositions, with no more than five pages per opposition.

View ruleSource: page 230, section 20.3 Trial Management — A. Motions in Limine

What page or word limits apply to declaration in San Francisco Superior Court?

San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 3 pages. Only one declaration may accompany each motion in limine absent court permission, and the declaration may not exceed three pages absent leave of court; Evidence Code sections 402 and 403 motions are exempt from these limitations.

View ruleSource: page 230, section 20.3 Trial Management — A. Motions in Limine

What page or word limits apply to additional mil leave declaration in San Francisco Superior Court?

San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 3 pages. A declaration submitted to obtain leave to file an additional motion in limine may not exceed three pages.

View ruleSource: page 230, section 20.3 Trial Management — A. Motions in Limine