Judge Benjamin F. Coats
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Power Point Slides
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- Email • Upon Filing
Joint Request For Idc
Court-wideAdjournments
Court-wideRequest must include
Communication
Chambers
Fax
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideClerk
Phone
Court-widePage & Word Limits2 rules
Every in limine motion must be in writing and no individual motion may exceed five pages.
All in limine motions shall be in writing and not exceed five pages per motion.
In Limine Motion
5 pages
The court requests that each side file no more than five in limine motions, while no party may exceed ten without the court's leave.
The Court requests each side file no more than five (5) in limine motions, but no party may file more than ten (10) in limine motions without leave of the Court to do so.
In Limine Motion
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Email service of trial briefs, witness lists, and in limine motions must use a PDF attachment.
Service shall be either by personal service or by email service with pdf attachment.
Document Filing Requirements25 rules
The parties must reduce their agreement about admissibility of documents and other items to a written stipulation for filing.
The parties' agreement shall be reduced to a written stipulation for filing.
Document Type
Admissibility Stipulation
All in limine motions must be submitted in writing.
All in limine motions shall be in writing and not exceed five pages per motion.
Document Type
In Limine Motion
Trial briefs, witness lists, and all in limine motions must be served on every party before trial and filed with the judicial assistant on the first day of trial at the pretrial conference.
Trial Briefs, Witness Lists and all In Limine Motions SHALL be served on all parties before trial and filed with the Judicial Assistant on the first day of trial (at the pre-trial conference).
Document Type
Pretrial Submission
A jury waiver made after jury fees were timely posted must be confirmed on the record on the first day of trial.
Any waiver of jury after the timely posting of jury fees shall be confirmed on the record on the first day of trial.
Document Type
Jury Waiver Confirmation
In limine motions may address only evidentiary or other legal issues that need resolution before jury selection.
In limine motions shall be limited to those necessary to resolve evidentiary or other legal issues before the selection of the jury.
Document Type
In Limine Motion
No party may file more than ten in limine motions without leave of the court.
The Court requests each side file no more than five (5) in limine motions, but no party may file more than ten (10) in limine motions without leave of the Court to do so.
Document Type
In Limine Motion
The parties must prepare a joint list identifying all in limine motions, which are unopposed, and which are disputed.
In limine motions -the parties shall make a joint list of all motions filed by the parties, and shall indicate those motions which are unopposed and those on which they disagree;
Document Type
In Limine Motion Joint List
The parties must provide a jointly prepared, brief, neutral statement of the case for prospective jurors unless they intend to present mini-opening statements.
The parties shall provide the Court with a jointly prepared, brief, neutral statement of the case to be read to prospective jurors. If the parties intend to present “mini-opening statements,” no statement of the case is required;
Document Type
Statement Of The Case
At least 60 copies of the juror questionnaires must be presented to the court before jury selection begins.
Any questionnaires (including at least 60 copies of same) shall be present in Court before jury selection starts.
Document Type
Jury Questionnaire
All exhibits must be exchanged and pre-marked before jury selection begins.
All exhibits shall be exchanged and pre-marked before the start of jury selection.
Document Type
Exhibits
A party requesting juror questionnaires must serve and file a joint proposed questionnaire, including all written instructions to jurors, by the pretrial conference unless the court grants leave.
If either party requests the use of a jury questionnaire, the requesting party(ies) shall serve and file a joint proposed jury questionnaire (including all written instructions to jurors) by the date of the pre-trial conference, or otherwise by leave of the Court.
Document Type
Jury Questionnaire
A request for mini opening statements during jury selection must be made to the court on the first day of trial.
Any request for “mini opening” statements during jury selection shall be made to the Court on the first day of trial.
Document Type
Mini Opening Statement
Each party’s mini opening statement may not exceed three minutes.
The mini opening statements shall not exceed three (3) minutes per party.
Document Type
Mini Opening Statement
Mini opening statements must neutrally and non-argumentatively describe each party’s claims or defenses and may provide only a very general overview of the facts.
The mini opening statements shall be neutral, non-argumentative descriptions of each party’s claims and/or defenses, and they may include a very general overview of the facts of the case.
Document Type
Mini Opening Statement
By the close of jury selection, or as the court directs, the parties must submit all proposed CACI instructions and any special instructions with supporting citations.
The parties shall submit to the Court a list of all proposed CACI instructions and the content of any special instructions (including citations to supporting authority) by the conclusion of jury selection or as otherwise directed by the Court.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
The parties must submit a joint set of jury instructions before the initial jury-instruction conference.
The parties shall submit a joint set of jury instructions prior to the initial jury instruction conference.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
The parties must prepare and submit a joint list of proposed jury instructions to the court.
The parties SHALL prepare a joint list of proposed jury instructions and submit them to the Court.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
The prevailing parties must serve and file a proposed judgment consistent with the jury verdict and applicable court rules.
Entry of Judgment: The Court will direct the prevailing party(ies) to serve and file a proposed judgment(s) consistent with the jury’s verdict(s) and in conformity with the Rules of Court and the Code of Civil Procedure.
Document Type
Proposed Judgment
The trial brief should summarize the disputed facts and state what the parties expect to prove in support of their claims or defenses.
Parties should also provide a summary of the facts in issue and a brief statement of what is expected to be proven in support of claims/defenses.
Document Type
Trial Brief
The trial brief should identify the claims or primary defenses being pursued, claims or defenses being dismissed, and the requested relief.
Trial Brief- a trial brief should identify the causes of action (or primary defenses) on which the parties are proceeding, the causes or defenses they are dismissing, and the relief they seek from the litigation.
Document Type
Trial Brief
The recorded-deposition notice should identify the portions intended for playback by page and line.
The notice should identify by page and line the portions intended to be shown.
Document Type
Recorded Deposition Designation
The witness list should include a very brief identification statement for each witness.
Witness List for the Court's use - Please include a very brief statement of identity (e.g., John Doe" - Registered Nurse present during the surgery; Jane Smith- President of Widget Co.).
Document Type
Witness List
The parties must designate who will prepare the final jury instructions and verdict form, with the court deciding any disagreement.
The parties shall agree as to who will be responsible for preparing the final version of the jury instructions and the verdict form. If the parties cannot agree, the Court will decide.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Where possible, the parties should mark only exhibits reasonably expected to be used at trial.
To the extent possible, please only mark the exhibits reasonably expected to be used at trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
The parties are encouraged, but not required, to stipulate to jury instructions whenever possible.
The parties are encouraged to stipulate to jury instructions to the extent possible.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Trial briefs, witness lists, and all in limine motions are due for filing with the judicial assistant on the first day of trial at the pretrial conference.
Trial Briefs, Witness Lists and all In Limine Motions SHALL be served on all parties before trial and filed with the Judicial Assistant on the first day of trial (at the pre-trial conference).
Page 1 | 5. Pre-trial Documents
Documents that the court is to consider must be filed with the Judicial Assistant at the earliest opportunity.
Any documents you want the Court to consider must be filed with the Judicial Assistant at your earliest opportunity.
Page 8 | Jury or Court Trial
After a verdict is rendered and entered into the minutes, the time for entry of judgment is extended 30 days under CCP sections 628, 664, and until the Court signs the proposed judgment and it is entered into the minutes.
After a verdict is rendered and entered into the minutes, the time for entry of judgment will be extended 30 days per CCP sections 628, 664 and until a proposed judgment is signed by the Court and entered into the minutes.
Page 8 | Jury or Court Trial
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Trial briefs, witness lists, and in limine motions may be served on all parties before trial by personal service or by email with a PDF attachment.
Service shall be either by personal service or by email service with pdf attachment.
Page 1 | 5. Pre-trial Documents
Personal service on all parties before trial is an authorized method for serving trial briefs, witness lists, and in limine motions.
Trial Briefs, Witness Lists and all In Limine Motions SHALL be served on all parties before trial and filed with the Judicial Assistant on the first day of trial (at the pre-trial conference).
Page 1 | 5. Pre-trial Documents
A party offering recorded deposition testimony must serve the court with designation notice and any objections at least two court days before the recording will be played.
If any party intends to offer audio or video recording of deposition testimony pursuant to CCP § 2025.340(m), notice designating portions of the recording the party intends to use, and any objections thereto, must be served on the Court a minimum of two court days before the date of the playing of the recording.
Page 2 | 5. Pre-trial Documents – e. Deposition (transcript or video) edits
The party initially designating recorded deposition testimony must compile all designations, objections, and counter-designations into a final document and serve it on the court.
The party initially designating the recording shall compile the designations, objections, counter-designations and objections in a final document to be served on the Court.
Page 2 | 5. Pre-trial Documents – e. Deposition (transcript or video) edits
The joint proposed jury questionnaire must be served either personally or by email with a PDF attachment.
Service shall be by personal service or email service with pdf attachment.
Page 3 | Jury Questionnaires
A party submitting on a tentative decision must email notice to the court and opposing counsel.
If you would like to submit on a tentative decision, you must send an email notifying the court and opposing counsel of your decision to submit without making an appearance.
Page 1 | Law & Motion Matters and Hearing Calendar for Law & Motion
Every email sent to the Courtroom 43 address must simultaneously copy all other attorneys and self-represented parties appearing in the action.
All emails to the Courtroom 43 address must be simultaneously copied to all other attorneys or self-represented parties appearing in the action.
Page 1 | REMOTE APPEARANCES IN COURTROOM 43
Other parties should serve objections and counter-designations on all parties three days before intended playback of the recorded deposition testimony.
Any other party should serve notice of objections and counter designations on all parties three days prior.
Page 2 | 5. Pre-trial Documents – e. Deposition (transcript or video) edits
The party initially designating recorded deposition testimony should serve the initial notice on all parties four days before the intended playback date.
To comply with this deadline, the party initially designating the recording should serve the initial notice on all parties four days before the date of the playing of the recording.
Page 2 | 5. Pre-trial Documents – e. Deposition (transcript or video) edits
Filing Fees and Waivers
A party granted a fee waiver may obtain a court reporter without charge by written request in conformance with California Rule of Court 2.956.
Parties who have been granted a fee waiver are entitled to a court reporter without charge upon written request in conformance with California Rule of Court 2.956.
Page 3 | Jury Fees
Courtesy Copy Requirements
A copy of every PowerPoint slide shown to the jury during opening statements or closing arguments must be provided to the Court and opposing counsel.
For a complete record, a copy of any Power-Point slides shown to the jury in opening statement or closing argument shall be provided to the Court and opposing counsel.
Page 7 | Jury or Court Trial
Chambers Communication Rules
Upon being called out for trial, the parties must immediately confirm with the judicial secretary whether the case will proceed to a jury trial or all parties waive a jury.
When the case is called out to trial, the parties must confirm with the judicial secretary immediately whether the case will be a jury trial (if fees were timely posted) or whether all parties waive jury.
Page 1 | 1. Jury or Court Trial
Parties may not email the judge’s email address, and unsolicited emails will be treated as improper ex parte communications and not read; however, an email the court invites or approves must be sent to Courtroom43@ventura.courts.ca.gov.
DO NOT email the Court using the Judge’s email address under any circumstances. The Court will consider such an email to be an improper ex parte communication and will not read it. Any documents you want the Court to consider must be filed with the Judicial Assistant at your earliest opportunity. If the Court invites or approves receipt of an email from the parties, it shall be sent to this email address: Courtroom43@ventura.courts.ca.gov (attn.: H. McIntyre).
Page 8 | Jury or Court Trial
Unless the trial judge approves alternate arrangements, trial counsel must remain reachable by telephone, provide an immediate-contact number to the Judicial Assistant, and be able to return to the courtroom within 15 minutes during jury deliberations.
While the jury is deliberating, and unless alternate arrangements are approved by the trial judge, trial counsel must: • Be available at all times by telephone; and • Be able to return to the courtroom on fifteen (15) minutes' notice. Please leave a telephone number with the Judicial Assistant at which you can be immediately reached.
Page 8 | Jury or Court Trial
A tentative-ruling email submission must be sent to the Courtroom 43 email address with all parties copied.
Email submissions should be sent to the Court at: Courtroom43@ventura.courts.ca.gov with all parties copied on the email.
Page 1 | Law & Motion Matters and Hearing Calendar for Law & Motion
Upon receiving notice that the case is being called out for trial, counsel should confirm with the court a reasonable trial-time estimate that includes jury selection and deliberations.
Please confirm with the Court the reasonable time estimate for the trial, including jury selection and reasonable time for deliberations upon receiving notice the case is being called out for trial.
Page 1 | 3. Time Estimate
Judge Coats will not respond to communications sent to the Courtroom 43 email address.
Judge Coats will not respond to communications sent to the Courtroom 43 email address.
Page 1 | REMOTE APPEARANCES IN COURTROOM 43
As an alternative to email, a party may fax its tentative-ruling submission to Judge Coats's secretary and copy all parties.
In the alternative, you may send a fax to Judge Coats's secretary, Tammy Brantner at 805-477-5894, with copies to all parties.
Page 1 | Law & Motion Matters and Hearing Calendar for Law & Motion