Sonoma Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Before the hearing on any motion, the moving party must make a reasonable and good-faith attempt to resolve the motion informally with the opposing party or attorney in person or by telephone.

Prior to the hearing date on all motions, the moving party must make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve the motion with the opposing party(s) or attorney(s) in person or by telephone, and in accordance with applicable law.

Unless an Order of Examination is involved, the moving party must make a reasonable, good-faith attempt to resolve the motion informally and, if unresolved, file a Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.040 declaration at least two court days before the hearing.

make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve the motion with the moving party or their attorney in person or by telephone and in accordance with applicable law. In the event the motion is not so resolved, then the moving party must file not less than two (2) court days before the hearing date a declaration pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.040 setting forth facts applicable to the meet and confer conference. Orders of Examination are exempt from the requirement of this section.

When an ex parte application is opposed, the attorneys must meet and confer before presenting it to the court.

If the application is opposed, the attorneys must meet and confer prior to presentation of the ex parte.

Except for summary-judgment and summary-adjudication motions, the moving party must make a reasonable, good-faith in-person or telephone meet-and-confer attempt at least five calendar days before the noticed or continued hearing.

Prior to the hearing date on all motions, the moving party must make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve the motion with the opposing party(s) or attorney(s) in person or by telephone, and in accordance with applicable law. The conference must occur not less than five (5) calendar days preceding the noticed or continued date of hearing as to all motions, except motions for summary judgment and/or motions for summary adjudication of issues.

A meet-and-confer conference for summary-judgment or summary-adjudication motions must occur at least ten calendar days before the noticed or continued hearing.

With reference to any motion for summary judgment and/or motion for summary adjudication of issues, the conference must occur not less than ten (10) calendar days preceding the noticed or continued date of hearing on such motion.

The opposing party or attorney must also make a reasonable, good-faith in-person or telephone attempt to resolve the motion informally.

In response, the opposing party(s) or attorney(s), during the conference, must also make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally resolve the motion with the moving party or their attorney in person or by telephone and in accordance with applicable law.

The parties and any attorneys must conduct a good-faith meet-and-confer, which may occur by telephone, exchange relevant documents absent good cause, and file the compliance declaration no later than five court days before the hearing.

The parties, and attorneys, if any, shall meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve all of the issues in the case pursuant to Sonoma County Local Rules, Rule 9.13. The meet and confer session may take place by telephone conference call. The meet and confer shall occur in a timely fashion so that the parties will be prepared to file a declaration regarding compliance with California Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.040 no later than five (5) court days prior to the date set for the hearing. All relevant documents must be exchanged by the parties while conferring, absent good cause to the contrary.

Participation in the Discovery Facilitator Program becomes mandatory for a particular discovery motion after the court issues a referral order.

Once such order is made for a particular discovery motion, participation in the Discovery Facilitator Program is mandatory.

Participation in the Discovery Facilitator Program satisfies a party's applicable obligation to meet and confer regarding a civil discovery dispute.

Participation in the Discovery Facilitator Program shall be deemed to satisfy a party's obligation to meet and confer under applicable law.