Santa Barbara Superior Court Electronic Filing Rules
40 rules from official source documents
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Ex parte application
Ex parte order applications must comply with CRC 3.1200–3.1207 and must be e-filed when Local Rule 1012 requires it; otherwise, they must be filed in the appropriate court division’s Clerk’s office.
All applications for ex parte orders shall comply with CRC 3.1200-3.1207 and shall be e-filed where mandatory under Local Rule 1012. Applications which are not required to be e-filed under Local Rule 1012 shall be filed in the Clerk’s office of the appropriate court division where the case is pending.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit list
Exhibit lists must be e-filed.
A joint exhibit list, to the extent possible, and separate exhibit lists otherwise, is to be e-filed at least five (5) court days before the trial date with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM1Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Exhibit List” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Deposition
Before trial begins, counsel must e-lodge all depositions to be used at trial and advise the court of any unsigned depositions.
Prior to the commencement of trial, counsel shall e-lodge all depositions to be used in trial with the court and advise the court if there are any depositions which are unsigned.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Jury-trial briefs must be e-filed at least five court days before trial.
Trial briefs, with a separate agreed upon statement of the case, are to be e-filed at least five (5) court days before the trial date with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM1Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Trial Brief” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Civil documents
Civil-case documents generally must be e-filed or e-lodged, subject to listed exceptions, including self-represented filings, court-ordered exemptions, documents not feasibly converted, voluminous materials, and documents with jurisdictional time limits.
(1) Mandatory E-Filing. Except as set forth in subdivision (a)(2), all documents presented for filing or lodging in all civil cases, including limited, unlimited, complex, small claims, family law, and probate, must be electronically filed (e-filed) or electronically lodged (e-lodged), respectively, with the court as provided in Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6 and California Rules of Court, rules 2.250 through 2.261. (2) Exceptions to Mandatory E-Filing. The following documents are not subject to mandatory e-filing under subdivision (a)(1): (i) Documents presented for filing or lodging by a self-represented party. Although not required, self-represented parties are encouraged to e-file documents. (ii) Documents ordered by the court as exempt from e-filing or e-lodging. A party may seek a court-ordered exemption by ex parte application for reason of undue hardship, significant prejudice, or other good cause. (iii) Documents and other materials that are not feasibly converted to electronic form by scanning, imaging, or other means. (iv) Documents and other materials that are so voluminous that they may be alternatively lodged in tangible form as set forth in Local Rule 1007. (v) Documents with jurisdictional time limits, including notices of appeal, motions for new trial, motions for JNOV, motions to quash service for personal
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Joint statement of the case
The joint statement of the case must be e-filed.
A joint statement of the case for the benefit of the jury to be read during voir dire is to be e-filed five (5) court days before the trial date, with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM1Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Statement” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field followed by “Joint”.
CRITICAL
Excepted documents that are not permissibly e-filed or e-lodged must be filed or lodged under the procedures for documents that are not e-filed or e-lodged.
Documents excepted from mandatory e-filing or e-lodging under subdivision (a)(2), and not permissibly e-filed or e-lodged, are to be filed or lodged with the court as provided by the Code of Civil Procedure and California Rules of Court for documents not e-filed or e-lodged.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Ex parte request without appearance
An Ex Parte Request Without Appearance must be e-filed when Local Rule 1012 requires it; otherwise, it must be filed in the Clerk’s office for the appropriate division where the case is pending.
(3) An Ex Parte Request Without Appearance must be e-filed where mandatory under Local Rule 1012. Applications that are not required to be e-filed under Local Rule 1012 must be filed in the Clerk's office of the appropriate court division where the case is pending in order to assure that the papers are available to the Court for the hearing.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Responding papers
Responding papers not filed by 1:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing must be filed by presenting the originals to the department clerk.
Responding papers, if not filed by 1:00 p.m. on the court day preceding the scheduled hearing, shall be filed by presenting the original documents for filing to the clerk of the department in which the hearing is scheduled.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Documents required by this rule
Documents required to be e-filed under the rule must be filed through a court-approved electronic filing service provider.
The electronic filing of documents required by this rule must be effected through a court-approved electronic filing service provider. A list of approved electronic filing service providers is available on the court's website: sbcourts.org.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Original electronic documents
Original documents required under Probate Code section 2620 that are available only electronically must be electronically filed under Local Rule 1012.
All original documents required to be submitted by Probate Code section 2620 that are available only as electronic documents shall be electronically filed as provided in Local Rule 1012.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Non electronic original documents
Required non-electronic originals must be electronically filed as copies and also lodged in their original non-electronic form.
All original documents required to be submitted by Probate Code section 2620 that are non-electronic documents shall be filed electronically as copies as provided in Local Rule 1012 and also lodged in their form as original non-electronic documents pursuant to CRC 2.252(e).
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mini opening statement
Mini-opening statements must be e-filed.
Those must be e-filed with the court in writing at least five (5) days before trial.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- All documents
Documents in limited civil appeals must be e-filed, except documents filed by self-represented parties and documents not feasibly convertible to electronic form.
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), all documents presented for filing in the Appellate Division in limited civil appeals must be electronically filed (e-filed) as provided in Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.6, CRC 2.250 through 2.261, and Local Rule 1012. (b) Documents presented for filing by a self-represented party (as defined in CRC 2.250(b)(10)) and documents which are not feasibly converted to electronic form are not required to be e-filed under subdivision (a).
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motions in limine and opposition papers
Motions in limine and opposition papers must be e-filed.
Motions in limine are to be e-filed at least five (5) court days before the trial; Opposition papers shall be e-filed at least one (1) court day before the trial date.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Documents served pursuant to rule
Documents served under this rule must not be filed with the court unless a statute, court rule, or other law requires filing.
Except as required by statute, court rule, or other law, documents to be served pursuant to this rule are not to be filed with the court.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Witness list
Witness lists must be e-filed.
Witness lists must be e-filed to show to the jury at the outset of voir dire with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM1Continue@sbcourts.org at least five (5) court days before the trial date. Use eFiling code “Witness List” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed jury instructions
The proposed jury instructions and related materials must be e-filed.
A list of proposed jury instructions by CACI numbers and any pinpoint instructions, special findings, and verdict forms are to be e-filed five (5) court days before the trial date.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Mini opening statement
Written mini-opening statements must be e-filed.
Mini-opening statements of no more than three (3) minutes per side are allowed before jury selection. Those must be e-filed with the court in writing at least five (5) days before trial. Use eFiling code “Statement” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field followed by “opening”.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Deposition
Before trial begins, counsel must e-lodge all depositions to be used at trial, advise the court of any unsigned depositions, use the “Deposition, Lodged” eFiling code, and put the trial date in the Filing Description field.
Prior to the commencement of trial, counsel shall e-lodge all depositions to be used in trial, with the court and advise the court if there are any depositions which are unsigned. Use eFiling code “Deposition, Lodged”. Add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Motions in limine and opposition papers
Motions in limine and opposition papers must be filed electronically.
Motions in limine are to be e-filed at least five (5) court days before the trial; Opposition papers shall be e-filed at least one (1) court day before the trial date.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Jury trial briefs must be filed electronically at least five court days before trial.
Trial briefs, with a separate agreed upon statement of the case, are to be e-filed at least five (5) court days before the trial date with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM2Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Trial Brief” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit list
Exhibit lists must be filed electronically.
A joint exhibit list, to the extent possible, and separate exhibit lists otherwise, is to be e-filed at least five (5) court days before the trial date with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM2Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Exhibit List” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Statement of the case
The joint statement of the case must be e-filed five court days before trial.
A joint statement of the case for the benefit of the jury to be read during voir dire is to be e-filed five (5) court days before the trial date, with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM2Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Statement” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field followed by “Joint”.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Witness list
Witness lists must be filed electronically.
Witness lists must be e-filed to show to the jury at the outset of voir dire with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM2Continue@sbcourts.org at least five (5) court days before the trial date. Use eFiling code “Witness List” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed jury instructions
Proposed jury instructions, pinpoint instructions, special findings, and verdict forms must be e-filed.
A list of proposed jury instructions by CACI numbers and any pinpoint instructions, special findings, and verdict forms are to be e-filed five (5) court days before the trial date. Any proposed language that is added to and/or differs from the CACI approved language shall be identified as a “Special Instruction” in the heading with a separate attachment with any supporting points and authorities. Use eFiling code “Jury Instructions, Proposed, Filed” and add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Witness list
Witness lists must be filed electronically using eFiling code “Witness List.”
Witness lists must be e-filed at least three (3) court days before the trial date, to show to the jury at the outset of voir dire, with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM4Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Witness List”. Add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Zoom appearance request
The Zoom appearance request must be e-filed.
In-person appearances of all parties, witnesses, and counsel is required. If exigent circumstances necessitate a Zoom appearance, local form SC-2073, Request to Appear by Zoom Videoconference/Order, must be e-filed for the court’s consideration at least 10-days prior to trial with service to the other side.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Joint statement of case
The joint statement of the case must be e-filed using the specified eFiling code.
A joint statement of the case for the benefit of the jury to be read during voir dire, is to be e-filed three (3) court days before the trial date, with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM4Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Statement”. Add the trial date in the Filing Description field followed by “Joint”.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Proposed jury instructions
The proposed jury instructions must be e-filed using the specified code.
A list of proposed jury instructions by CACI numbers and any pinpoint instructions are to be e-filed three (3) court days before the trial date. Use eFiling code “Jury Instructions, Proposed, Filed”. Add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
Motions in limine and opposition papers must be e-filed.
Motions in limine are to be e-filed at least three (3) court days before the trial date; Opposition papers shall be e-filed one (1) court day before the trial date.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Exhibit list
Exhibit lists must be filed electronically using eFiling code “Exhibit List.”
A joint exhibit list, to the extent possible, and separate exhibit lists otherwise, is to be e-filed at least three (3) court days before the trial date, with a courtesy copy e-mailed to SM4Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Exhibit List”. Add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
CRITICAL
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Trial briefs must be filed electronically using eFiling code “Trial Brief.”
Trial briefs are to be e-filed at least three (3) court days before the trial date, with a courtesy copy e- mailed to SM4Continue@sbcourts.org. Use eFiling code “Trial Brief”. Add the trial date in the Filing Description field.
WARNING
A party may file documents directly with the Court by fax, except documents subject to mandatory e-filing under Local Rule 1012.
Except for documents subject to mandatory e-filing under Local Rule 1012, any party may file documents by fax directly to the Court.
WARNING
Unless the court orders otherwise, a filing party may elect to e-file or e-lodge the documents listed in subdivisions (a)(2)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v).
Unless otherwise ordered by the court, documents listed in subdivision (a)(2)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v) may be permissively e-filed or e-lodged, as applicable, with the court at the election of the filing party.
WARNING
- Applies to
- Administrative record
If an administrative-record filing exceeds 10 volumes, the filer may lodge an electronic version of all volumes on a flash drive, CD, or DVD instead of e-lodging the documents.
If the number of volumes exceeds 10 volumes, an electronic version of all volumes may alternatively be lodged in tangible form (i.e., on a flash drive, CD, or DVD) in lieu of e-lodging the documents.
INFO
When feasible and optional, parties are strongly encouraged to e-file instead of fax filing.
Where feasible and optional, parties are strongly encouraged to e-file rather than fax file documents.
INFO
- Applies to
- Civil documents
Self-represented parties are not required to e-file, but are encouraged to do so.
Documents presented for filing or lodging by a self-represented party. Although not required, self-represented parties are encouraged to e-file documents.
INFO
E-filing of the referenced documents is encouraged but not required.
jurisdiction, and petitions for writs. Although not required, e-filing of these documents is encouraged.
INFO
Self-represented parties are encouraged, but not required, to e-file documents.
Self-represented parties are encouraged to e-file documents although not required to do so.
Is electronic filing required in Santa Barbara Superior Court?
Santa Barbara Superior Court: Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Ex parte order applications must comply with CRC 3.1200–3.1207 and must be e-filed when Local Rule 1012 requires it; otherwise, they must be filed in the appropriate court division’s Clerk’s office.
Judge Jed Beebe: Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Witness lists must be filed electronically using eFiling code “Witness List.”
Judge James F. Rigali: Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Written mini-opening statements must be e-filed.
37 more rules answer this question.
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E-service, mail, personal service, proof of service, certificate, and timing requirements.