San Mateo Superior Court Chambers Communication Rules
112 rules from official source documents
Rules for contacting chambers: permitted methods, hours, and purposes. This page is scoped to San Mateo Superior Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
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Requests for an Informal Discovery Conference must be sent by email to the Family Law Commissioner and contemporaneously copied to all parties and self-represented parties.
To request an Informal Discovery Conference, counsel must contact the Department of the Family Law Commissioner by email which email must be contemporaneously copied to counsel for all parties to the action and any self-represented parties.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Correspondence with a Civil Judge’s department concerning assigned civil actions must be sent by email to that department instead of on paper.
Correspondence to the Department of any Civil Judge, such as requested letter briefs, requests to take matters off calendar, and requests for rescheduling, regarding civil actions assigned to a Civil Judge shall be submitted electronically, rather than paper, by e-mail addressed to that Civil Department.
- Contact
A request for an Informal Discovery Conference must be emailed to the Court and contemporaneously copied to all parties’ counsel and any self-represented party.
To request an Informal Discovery Conference, counsel must contact the Court by email at IDC@sanmateocourt.org, which email must be contemporaneously copied to counsel for all parties to the action and any self-represented parties.
- Contact
Within five calendar days after the initial request, the disputing parties must send the Court and all parties a joint or separate attachment-free email letter summarizing the discovery disputes.
Within five (5) calendar days of the initial email request to the Court for an Informal Discovery Request, the disputing parties shall, jointly or separately, email correspondence to the Court at IDC@sanmateocourt.org, and contemporaneously to all parties, an electronic letter of no more than five (5) pages, without attachments, summarizing the discovery dispute(s).
Before filing the initial application or motion in a long-cause matter, counsel or a self-represented party must contact the Probate Department clerk for a special hearing date and time.
Counsel/self-represented parties shall contact the clerk of the court in the Probate Department to obtain a special set hearing date and time prior to filing the initial application or motion to be set for hearing.
Counsel must obtain opposing counsel's written consent before requesting an Informal Discovery Conference.
Prior to making a request with the department, counsel shall obtain the consent of opposing counsel in writing to engage in an Informal Discovery Conference.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
- Phone
- (650) 261-5111
When a case settles before a hearing or trial date, the parties must notify Department 11 by telephone and email as soon as the disposition is agreed upon.
If a case settles before a hearing or trial date the parties must notify Department 11 by telephone at (650) 261-5111and email (dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmatecourt.org) as soon as the disposition is agreed upon
A party settling a class action, shareholder derivative action, or PAGA case must notify Department 11 of the settlement.
the settlement, e.g., in matters such as class actions, shareholder derivative actions, or PAGA cases, the parties must notify Department 11 of the settlement; file preliminary and/or final settlement approval papers, and email all settlement papers to dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org; and contact the Clerk of Department 11 to request a preliminary and/or final approval hearing, as appropriate.
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- Phone
Moving-party counsel must notify Department 11 by telephone as soon as possible about a matter to be taken off calendar or continued.
Counsel for the moving parties must notify Department 11 by telephone and by email at dept11@sanmatecourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org as soon as possible regarding any matter to be taken off calendar or continued.
- Contact
Notice of an intent to contest the tentative ruling must be sent by email to all other parties and both stated Department 11 addresses.
If any party intends to contest the tentative ruling at the hearing, that party must notify the other parties and Department 11 by email at both dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org by 4:00 p.m. at least one court day before the scheduled hearing.
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- Email to chambers
The ex parte applicant must notify Judge Silberman, preferably by email, of any opposition and when it will be filed.
The Applicant MUST inform Judge Silberman, preferably by email, if there will be an opposition and when that opposition will be filed.
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- Email to chambers
A copy of each reply brief, unlawful-detainer opposition, or summary-judgment motion must be emailed to the law-and-motion reply address, and complex-case briefs must also be emailed to the complex civil address.
In order to ensure your reply brief is received by the Court in a timely manner, you must email a copy of any reply brief, or any Unlawful Detainer Opposition or Motion for Summary Judgment to lawandmotionreplybriefs@sanmateocourt.org. If you fail to do so and your reply brief is not available to the Court in a timely manner, please be advised that this may result in your matter being continued. Also, please note that this requirement is in addition to any separate requirement individual Judges have regarding the delivery of courtesy copies to their chambers, as well as the obligation to email all briefs, including reply briefs, to the complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org email address for complex matters.
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- Email to chambers
The ex parte applicant must notify Judge McCannon, preferably by email, of any opposition and when it will be filed.
The Applicant MUST inform Judge McCannon, preferably by email, if there will be an opposition and when that opposition will be filed.
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- Email to chambers
All case correspondence to Department 2, including informal discovery conference briefs, off-calendar requests, and scheduling requests, must be emailed to both listed addresses.
All correspondence to Department 2 regarding this case – including informal discovery conference briefs, requests to take matters off calendar, and requests for scheduling must be submitted by email to the following two addresses: dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
Plaintiff must notify all other parties of the first case management conference date unless the Court orders otherwise.
Plaintiff is required to give notice of this conference date to all other parties unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
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- Email to clerk
After meaningful meet and confer, an informal discovery conference request must be emailed to both listed addresses with all counsel copied.
Requests for an IDC may be made, after meaningful meet and confer, by sending an email to both dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org, copied to all counsel.
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The parties must email the listed pretrial materials to the Court in Word format.
52. The parties shall also email the witness lists, exhibit lists, proposed jury instructions, proposed verdict form(s), proposed jury questionnaire (if any), proposed statement of the case, and proposed orders in Word format to the Court.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Ex parte hearing dates must be coordinated by email with the Department 20 Clerk at either listed email address.
Hearing dates for ex parte applications must be coordinated by email with the Clerk for Department 20 at dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
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- Email to clerk
After clearing proposed hearing dates with the other parties, the moving party must email the Department 20 clerk at both listed addresses with specified case, hearing, date, and attorney information to obtain a hearing date.
26. With respect to motions or other matters requiring a hearing, after the moving party has cleared the proposed hearing date(s) with the other parties, the moving party must contact the Clerk of Department 20 by email at dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org to obtain the hearing date. Counsel for the moving party must provide the Court with the case name and number; the type of hearing; the hearing date(s) requested; and the name, telephone number, and email address of the filing attorney.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
The editable proposed order must be emailed to both Department 20 email addresses.
You must also email an editable version of the Proposed Order in Word format (not PDF) to dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org so that the judge can modify it prior to signing, if needed.
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- Phone to chambers
Moving-party counsel must notify Department 20 as soon as possible by both telephone and email about any matter removed from the calendar or continued.
Counsel for the moving parties must notify Department 20 by telephone and by email at dept20@sanmatecourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org as soon as possible regarding any matter to be taken off calendar or continued.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
A party intending to contest a tentative ruling must notify the other parties and Department 20 by email at both listed addresses by 4:00 p.m. at least one court day before the hearing; otherwise, the ruling becomes the Court's order.
If any party intends to contest the tentative ruling at the hearing, that party must notify the other parties and Department 20 by email at both dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org by 4:00 p.m. at least one court day before the scheduled hearing. Otherwise, the tentative ruling will become the order of the Court.
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- Phone to chambers
For complex cases, Judge Fineman conducts IDCs; contact Dept. 4 by phone or email to schedule one.
IDCs for complex cases are conducted by Judge Fineman. Contact Dept. 4 by phone or email to schedule an IDC in a complex case.
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- Phone
- Phone
- (650) 261-5128
When a case settles before a hearing or trial, the parties must notify Department 28 by telephone and email as soon as the disposition is agreed upon.
If a case settles before a hearing or trial date the parties must notify Department 28 by telephone at (650) 261-5128 and email (dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmatecourt.org) as soon as the disposition is agreed upon
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- Email to chambers
The subject line of every Department 28 communication must state the department number, case name, case number, and a brief description of the email.
All communications to Department 28 shall include in the header “subject line” the Department Number, Case Name, Case Number, and a brief description of the email (e.g., “Dept. 28 — Smith v. Jones (CIV654321) – Smith’s Request to Set Motion Date”).
- Contact
- Email to clerk
After clearing proposed hearing dates with the other parties, the moving party must email the Clerk of Department 28 at both listed addresses to obtain a hearing date.
With respect to motions or other matters requiring a hearing, after the moving party has cleared the proposed hearing date(s) with the other parties, the moving party must contact the Clerk of Department 28 by email at dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org to obtain the hearing date.
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- Email to chambers
The Civil Department email address is limited to sending and receiving notices contesting tentative rulings, is not for back-and-forth communications with the court, and messages are retained for at least 90 days before possible deletion.
The Civil Department’s email address is for the sending and receiving of notices to contest tentative ruling, and is not a venue for back-and-forth communications with the Court. Communications to the Civil Department email address is not part of the official court files – just like a paper letter, they are not “filed” documents – and will be retained for at least 90 days and then be subject to deletion (destruction) thereafter.
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- Email to chambers
Civil Department email is not for back-and-forth communication with the judge, does not create a filed document or official court record, and is retained for at least 90 days before becoming subject to deletion.
The Department’s email address is for the sending and receiving of correspondence, and is not a venue for back-and-forth communications with the Civil Judge. Communications to the Civil Department email address is not part of the official court files – just like a paper letter, they are not “filed” documents – and will be retained for at least 90 days and then be subject to deletion (destruction) thereafter.
- Contact
Communications to the IDC email address must include the case number and case name in the subject line.
All communications to the IDC@sanmateocourt.org email address must include in the header “subject line” the Case Number and Name of Case (e.g., 19CIV06543 Smith v. Jones).
- Contact
Correspondence concerning an Informal Discovery Conference must be submitted by email to the IDC address rather than on paper.
All correspondence regarding any Informal Discovery Conference, such as IDC letter briefs, requests to take matters off calendar, and requests for rescheduling, shall be submitted electronically, rather than paper, by e-mail addressed to IDC@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Email Department 11 and the complex civil court address to obtain available dates before contacting opposing counsel regarding a continuance.
Please email Department 11 at dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org for available dates before contacting opposing counsel.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Appropriate correspondence to Department 11 should be submitted by email to both designated addresses rather than by paper or telephone.
Appropriate correspondence to Department 11 may be submitted electronically, rather than by paper or telephone, by e-mail addressed to dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
Copies and correspondence must not be faxed to Department 11 because it has no dedicated fax line.
Do not fax copies or correspondence to Department 11, as there is no dedicated fax line.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Ex parte hearing dates must be coordinated by email with the Department 11 clerk at the listed email addresses.
Hearing dates for ex parte applications must be coordinated by email with the Clerk for Department 11 at dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
After a meaningful meet and confer, a party may request an informal discovery conference by emailing Department 11 and copying all counsel, after which the parties must confer about the proposed dates.
22. After the parties have conducted a meaningful meet and confer, requests for an IDC may be made by sending an email copied to all counsel to Department 11 at dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org. The Court will provide proposed dates. Parties are to meet and confer as to availability for the proposed dates. If one or more parties are not available on the proposed date(s), additional dates may be requested. The Court will inform the parties whether the IDC will be conducted by videoconference or in person.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Department 11 emails must identify the case name, case number, and purpose in the subject line to avoid delayed responses.
If you send an email to Department 11, please include the following information in the "subject line" header: (1) case name; (2) case number; and (3) a brief description of the purpose of the email. For example: Smith v. Jones, 23-CIV-01234, Proposed Order. Otherwise, a response to your email will likely be delayed.
A hearing should be scheduled by contacting Department 11 rather than the Civil Clerk's office.
To schedule a hearing, contact Department 11 rather than the Civil Clerk's office.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Any courtesy-copy email must be labeled “Courtesy Copy(ies)” and include the case name and case number in its subject line.
Please note “Courtesy Copy(ies)” and include the Case name and # in the subject line of any email.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
An urgent matter requiring an immediate hearing should be reported to Department 11, preferably by email but also by telephone.
If the matter is urgent and requires an immediate hearing, please contact Department 11 preferably by email at Dept11@sanmateocourt.org or by phone.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Parties should obtain a hearing date for post-trial motions by emailing Department 11.
The parties should obtain a hearing date for any post-trial motions by emailing Department 11 at Dept11@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
An email to Department 2 should identify the case name, case number, and purpose in its subject line to avoid delay.
If you send an email to Department 2, please include the following information in the "subject line" header: (1) case name; (2) case number; and (3) a brief description of the purpose of the email. For example: Smith v. Jones, 23-CIV-01234, Proposed Order. Otherwise, a response to your email will likely be delayed.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
An Informal Discovery Conference in a complex case is conducted by Judge McCannon and must be scheduled with Department 2 by phone or email.
IDCs for complex cases are conducted by Judge McCannon. Contact Department 2 by phone or email to schedule an IDC in a complex case.
Non-complex motion hearing dates must be scheduled through the court's website rather than by contacting Department 2.
To schedule a hearing date for motions in non-complex cases, please check the Court's web site. Please do not contact Department 2 directly to schedule a hearing date.
An Informal Discovery Conference in a non-complex case must be scheduled through the court's website by the Case Management Judicial Officer, not Department 2.
To schedule an IDC, please check the Court's web site. Please do not contact Department 2 to schedule an IDC in a non-complex case. Only the Case Management Judicial Officer can schedule an IDC.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Emails to Department 2 in complex cases should be sent to both Department 2 and the complex civil email addresses.
Department 2 strongly prefers to be contacted by email. As noted in the Initial Case Management Order, all emails in complex cases to Department 2 should be sent to both Dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
A complex-case email to Department 2 should state the case name, case number, McCannon, and the email's purpose in the subject line.
For all complex cases in Department 2, please include the following information in the "subject line" header of the email: (1) case name; (2) case number; (3) "McCannon," and (4) a brief description of the purpose of the email. For example: Smith v. Jones, CIV1234, McCannon, Proposed Order.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Parties must schedule complex-case motions and case management conferences by emailing both Department 2 addresses rather than contacting the Civil Clerk's Office.
To schedule a motion or a case management conference for a complex case, please contact Department 2 directly by email at both dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org. Please do NOT contact the Civil Clerk's Office. Judge McCannon does the scheduling for all of his complex cases himself.
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- Email to chambers
The emailed written order should be in Word format, sent to Department 2, and include the other parties.
When Judge McCannon orders a party to prepare a written order, that party should e-file the order. The party should also email the order in Word format to Department 2 at Dept2@sanmateocourt.org. That email must include the other parties.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Ex parte applications, oppositions, supporting papers, and proposed orders should be emailed and delivered to Department 2 as soon as available, with the proposed order preferably in Word format.
The parties should email their application or opposition, and any supporting papers, and the proposed order AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE to the Court at Dept2@sanmateocourt.org and deliver the documents to Department 2 at the Northern Courthouse located at 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco. The proposed order should be provided in Word format if possible.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
- Phone
- 650-261-5100, option 0, extension 7243
Central or Northern Courthouse ex parte payments may be made by telephone by calling 650-261-5100, selecting option 0, and entering extension 7243.
To pay by phone for appearances at the Central or Northern Courthouses please dial 650-261-5100, select Option “0” and enter extension 7243 to be connected to a clerk to process your payment.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
An urgent matter requiring an immediate hearing should be reported to Department 2 by email at Dept2@sanmateocourt.org or by telephone.
If the matter is urgent and requires an immediate hearing, please contact Department 2 preferably by email at Dept2@sanmateocourt.org or by phone.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Parties must email both listed Department 2 clerk addresses for available dates before contacting opposing counsel.
Please email the Clerk for Department 2 at both dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org for available dates before contacting opposing counsel.
Documents must not be faxed to Department 2.
Please do not fax any documents to Department 2.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 2 email addresses may receive correspondence and filings but must not be used for back-and-forth communications with the judge.
solely for the purpose of receiving correspondence and filings. They are not to be used for the purpose of back-and-forth communications with the judge.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Ex parte hearing dates must be coordinated by email with the Department 2 Clerk at the two listed email addresses.
Hearing dates for ex parte applications must be coordinated by email with the Clerk for Department 2 at dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
A mutually agreed informal conference with the Court must be scheduled by emailing the Department 2 Clerk at the listed addresses.
To arrange a conference with the Court that all counsel agree is advisable, please contact the Clerk for Department 2 by email at dept2@sanmatecourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org to schedule a time for the conference.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Department 2 hearings may be scheduled by emailing the Clerk at both listed addresses.
Hearings may be scheduled by contacting the Clerk for Department 2 by email at both dept2@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
Counsel for the moving parties must notify the Department 2 Clerk by telephone.
Counsel for the moving parties must notify the Clerk for Department 2 by telephone and by email at both dept2@sanmatecourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Email Department 20 to obtain available dates before contacting opposing counsel.
Please email Department 20 at dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org for available dates before contacting opposing counsel.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 20 emails must use at least 12-point type and be copied to all parties or their counsel of record.
All e- mails must be sent in at least 12-point type and copied to all parties or their counsel of record.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 20 communications must include the department number, case name, case number, and a brief email description in the subject line.
All communications to Department 20 shall include in the header “subject line” the Department Number, Case Name, Case Number, and a brief description of the email
- Contact
After a meaningful discovery meet and confer, an IDC request must be emailed to both listed Department 20 addresses with all counsel copied, after which the parties must confer about the Court's proposed dates.
22. After the parties have conducted a meaningful meet and confer, requests for an IDC may be made by sending an email copied to all counsel to Department 20 at dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org. The Court will provide proposed dates. Parties are to meet and confer as to availability of the proposed dates. If one or more parties are not available on the proposed date(s), additional dates may be requested. The Court will inform the parties whether the IDC will be conducted by videoconference or in person. The Court may consider requests from depositions in progress. IDCs may not be recorded by any party and may not be reported by any court reporter.
Non-complex IDCs must be scheduled through the court's website by the Case Management Judicial Officer, not Department 20.
To schedule an IDC, please check the Court's web site. Please do not contact Department 20 to schedule an IDC. Only the Case Management Judicial Officer can schedule an IDC.
- Contact
- Phone to chambers
An informal discovery conference in a complex case is conducted by Judge Mau and must be scheduled with Department 20 by phone or email.
IDCs for complex cases are conducted by Judge Mau. Contact Dept. 20 by phone or email to schedule an IDC in a complex case.
Hearings on motions in non-complex cases must be scheduled through the court's website, not directly through Department 20.
To schedule a hearing date for motions in non-complex cases, please check the Court's web site. Please do not contact Dept. 20 directly to schedule a hearing date.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
A hearing on a complex-case motion must be scheduled by emailing both Department 20 addresses, and the Civil Clerk's Office must not be contacted.
To schedule a hearing on a motion in a complex case, please contact Dept. 20 directly by email at both dept20@sanmateocourt.org complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org. Do NOT contact the Civil Clerk's Office.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
A complex-case case management conference must be scheduled by emailing both Department 20 addresses, and the Civil Clerk's Office must not be contacted.
To schedule a case management conference in a complex case, please contact Dept. 20 directly by email at both dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org. Do NOT contact the Civil Clerk's Office.
Failure to comply with Local Rule 3.500 results in denial of remote appearance.
Failure to follow the provisions of Local Rule 3.500 will result in denial of remote appearance.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 4 emails must identify the case name, case number, and purpose in the subject line.
If you send an email to Department 4, please include the following information in the "subject line" header: (1) case name; (2) case number; and (3) a brief description of the purpose of the email. For example: Smith v. Jones, CIV1234, Proposed Order. Otherwise, a response to your email will likely be delayed.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
A hearing date for post-trial motions should be obtained by emailing Department 4 at Dept4@sanmateocourt.org.
The parties should obtain a hearing date for any post-trial motions by emailing Department 4 at Dept4@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
When requested, the Word version of an e-filed document should be emailed to Department 4 and include the other parties.
Sometimes, Judge Fineman will request a Word version in addition to the e-filed document. That Word version should be emailed to dept4@sanmateocourt.org and must include the other parties.
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- Email to chambers
Copies of all parties must be included on emails to Department 28.
All emails to Department 28 should include all parties.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 28 emails must identify the case name, case number, and email purpose in the subject line to avoid response delays.
If you send an email to Department 28, please include the following information in the "subject line" header: (1) case name; (2) case number; and (3) a brief description of the purpose of the email. For example: Smith v. Jones, 23-CIV-01234, Proposed Order. Otherwise, a response to your email will likely be delayed.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
The application or opposition, supporting papers, and proposed order should be emailed promptly to Department 28 or hand-delivered to the Central Courthouse.
The parties should email their application or opposition, and any supporting papers, and the proposed order AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILBLE to the Court at Dept28@sanmateocourt.org or hand deliver the documents to Department 28 at the Central Courthouse located at 800 North Humboldt St., San Mateo.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
For an urgent matter requiring an immediate hearing, contact Department 28 preferably by email or by phone.
If the matter is urgent and requires an immediate hearing, please contact Department 28 preferably by email at Dept28@sanmateocourt.org or by phone.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Parties must email Department 28 to obtain a hearing date for any post-trial motion.
The parties should obtain a hearing date for any post-trial motions by emailing Department 28 at Dept28@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
If requested, the Word version of an electronically filed order must be emailed to Department 28 with all parties copied.
If Judge Healy requests a Word version in addition to the e-filed document, the Word version should be emailed to dept28@sanmateocourt.org. All parties must be copied on the email.
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- Email to chambers
Before contacting opposing counsel regarding an available continuance date, email Department 28 and the complex civil address to obtain the dates.
Please email Department 28 at dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org for available dates before contacting opposing counsel.
Copies and correspondence must not be faxed to Department 28 because it has no dedicated fax line.
Do not fax copies or correspondence to Department 28, as there is no dedicated fax line.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
The Department 28 email addresses are for correspondence, not back-and-forth judicial communications or official filings; messages are retained for at least 30 days and then may be destroyed, and email copied to all parties is preferred over telephone communication.
This email address is to receive correspondence, and is not a venue for back-and-forth communications with the judge. Communications to these email addresses are not part of the official court files – just like a paper letter, they are not “filed” documents – and will be retained for at least 30 days and then be subject to deletion (destruction) thereafter. Department 28 prefers to have communication by email (copied to all parties) rather than by telephone.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
When all counsel agree that a conference with the court is advisable, counsel must schedule it by emailing the Department 28 clerk at the listed addresses.
To arrange a conference with the Court that all counsel agree is advisable, please contact the Clerk for Department 28 by email at dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org to schedule a time for the conference.
- Contact
- Phone
Informal conferences with the court will be conducted by videoconference unless the court indicates otherwise.
Informal conferences will be conducted by videoconference unless otherwise indicated by the Court.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Parties must coordinate ex parte application hearing dates by email with the Department 28 Clerk at dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
Hearing dates for ex parte applications must be coordinated by email with the Clerk for Department 28 at dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Papers necessary to decide an ex parte application should preferably be submitted by email to either listed Department 28 address.
All papers necessary to the determination of the application, including any proposed pleading, motion, or order, must be submitted to Department 28, preferably by email (to dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org), by noon the court day before the scheduled ex parte hearing date.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
When requesting a hearing date, moving counsel must provide the case name and number, hearing type, requested dates, and the filing attorney's name, telephone number, and email address.
Counsel for the moving party must provide the Court with the case name and number; the type of hearing; the hearing date(s) requested; and the name, telephone number, and email address of the filing attorney.
- Contact
Parties are encouraged to email unfiled documents to PCI@sanmateocourt.org ahead of screening or call 650-261-5068.
It is recommended that an appointment for screening of the petition by the Court Investigator be made by emailing a copy of the unfiled documents ahead of time to PCI@sanmateocourt.org, parties may also call 650-261-5068.
- Contact
- Phone
- Phone
- 650-261-5068
Parties may call 650-261-5068 regarding appointment of the petition for Court Investigator screening.
parties may also call 650-261-5068.
- Contact
The Court recommends scheduling Court Investigator screening in advance by emailing the unfiled documents to PCI@sanmateocourt.org.
It is recommended that an appointment for screening of the petition by the Court Investigator be made by emailing a copy of the unfiled documents ahead of time to PCI@sanmateocourt.org
- Contact
- Phone
Litigants and attorneys may obtain telephone assistance regarding remote appearances.
The Court will provide a telephone number on the website (www.sanmateo.courts.ca.gov) for litigants and attorneys to obtain assistance regarding remote appearances.
- Contact
- Phone
The remote-appearance assistance telephone line opens 30 minutes before the hearing and remains open throughout the court session.
The telephone line will be open 30 minutes before the start of a court hearing and will remain open for the duration of the court session.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Questions about the procedures should be emailed to Department 11, with counsel for all represented and pro per parties included.
If counsel or any staff members have questions about these procedures, please email Department 11 at dept11@sanmateocourt.org and include counsel for all represented parties and pro per parties in the email.
Appearances may be made in person or by Zoom unless the Court orders otherwise, and Zoom users must follow the website requirements.
Most appearances may be made in person or by Zoom, unless otherwise ordered by the Court. The Zoom credentials can be found on Judge Silberman’s webpage. Please follow the requirements on the website for Zoom appearances.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 11 prefers communication by email copied to all parties instead of telephone communication.
Department 11 prefers to have communication by email (copied to all parties) rather than by telephone.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Counsel may arrange an agreed-upon informal court conference by emailing the Department 11 Clerk at both designated addresses.
The Court is eager to assist counsel when specific problems arise that may not require a formal motion. To arrange a conference with the Court that all counsel agree is advisable, please contact the Clerk for Department 11 by email at dept11@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org to schedule a time for the conference.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Informal conferences with the Court will use videoconference unless the Court indicates otherwise.
Informal conferences will be conducted by videoconference unless otherwise indicated by the Court.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
Department 11 strongly prefers email contact at Dept11@sanmateocourt.org.
Department 11 strongly prefers to be contacted by email at Dept11@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
- Phone
- 650-261-5100, Option 0, extension 7243
Central or Northern Courthouse ex parte fees may be paid by telephone by calling 650-261-5100, selecting option 0, and entering extension 7243.
To pay by phone for appearances at the Central or Northern Courthouses please dial 650-261-5100, select Option “0” and enter extension 7243 to be connected to a clerk to process your payment.
- Contact
- Email to clerk
If requested, the Word version of an ordered written document should also be emailed to Department 11.
If Judge Silberman requests a Word version in addition to the e-filed document, the Word version should be emailed to dept11@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Questions about the procedures should be emailed to Department 11, with counsel for all represented and pro per parties copied.
If counsel or any staff members have questions about these procedures, please email Department 11 at dept11@sanmateocourt.org and include counsel for all represented parties and pro per parties in the email.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 2 prefers email at Dept2@sanmateocourt.org, and responsive emails should include all parties.
Department 2 strongly prefers to be contacted by email at Dept2@sanmateocourt.org. If your email requires a response and your inquiry is not answered by Department 2's automatic reply to your email, Department 2 will do its best to respond as quickly as possible. All emails to Department 2 should include all parties.
Department 2 is open Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a midday closure.
Monday – Friday (excluding court holidays) 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Counsel may contact the Department 2 Clerk to ask whether oral argument will be permitted or the Court will decide on the written papers.
Counsel may contact the Clerk for Department 2 to inquire if oral argument will be permitted, or if the Court will rule based on the written papers.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Correspondence to Department 20 may be submitted by email to the listed Department 20 email addresses instead of by paper or telephone.
Correspondence to Department 20 may be submitted electronically, rather than by paper or telephone, by e-mail addressed to dept20@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
Unless otherwise ordered, informal discovery conferences in non-complex Department 20 cases are conducted by the Case Management Judicial Officer.
Unless otherwise ordered, all IDCs for non-complex cases in Department 20, are conducted by the Case Management Judicial Officer.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
- Phone
- 650-261-5100, option 0, extension 7243
Central and Northern Courthouse ex parte fees may be paid by phone by calling 650-261-5100, selecting option 0, and entering extension 7243.
To pay by phone for appearances at the Central or Northern Courthouses please dial 650-261-5100, select Option “0” and enter extension 7243 to be connected to a clerk to process your payment.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Questions about courtroom procedures should be emailed to Department 20, copying counsel for all represented parties and self-represented parties.
If counsel or any staff members have questions about these procedures, please email Department 20 at dept20@sanmateocourt.org and include counsel for all represented parties and self-represented parties in the email.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Parties are encouraged, but not required, to email ex parte documents; paper copies remain required.
Parties are encouraged to ALSO email their ex parte documents to the department hearing the ex parte, but paper copies are required as stated above.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 4 strongly prefers email at Dept4@sanmateocourt.org, and emails should include the other parties.
Department 4 strongly prefers to be contacted by email at Dept4@sanmateocourt.org. If your email requires a response and your inquiry is not answered by Department 4's automatic reply to your email, Department 4 will do its best to respond as quickly as possible. All emails to Department 4 should include the other parties.
- Contact
- Phone to clerk
- Phone
- 650-261-5100
Central and Northern Courthouse ex parte fees may be paid by phone at 650-261-5100, Option 0, extension 7243.
To pay by phone for appearances at the Central or Northern Courthouses please dial 650-261-5100, select Option “0” and enter extension 7243 to be connected to a clerk to process your payment.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Questions about courtroom procedures should be emailed to Department 28, with counsel for all represented parties and pro per parties included.
If counsel or any staff members have questions about these procedures, please email Department 28 at dept28@sanmateocourt.org and include counsel for all represented parties and pro per parties in the email.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Department 28 strongly prefers email communication at Dept28@sanmateocourt.org.
Department 28 strongly prefers to be contacted by email at Dept28@sanmateocourt.org.
- Contact
- Email to chambers
Correspondence to Department 28 may be submitted by email to the two listed Department 28 addresses instead of by paper or telephone.
Correspondence to Department 28 may be submitted electronically, rather than by paper or telephone, by e-mail addressed to dept28@sanmateocourt.org and complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org.
How may parties contact San Mateo Superior Court?
The rule addresses email communications with the court. The rule lists email lawandmotionreplybriefs@sanmateocourt.org; complexcivil@sanmateocourt.org for complex matters. A copy of each reply brief, unlawful-detainer opposition, or summary-judgment motion must be emailed to the law-and-motion reply address, and complex-case briefs must also be emailed to the complex civil address.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtPage & Word Limits
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.