Ventura Superior Court Document Format Requirements
51 rules from official source documents
Font, margin, spacing, and file format requirements for court filings. This page is scoped to Ventura Superior Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
Hard-copy filings in the specified eCourt case types may not use exhibit tabs or dividers that enlarge the page beyond 8.5 by 11 inches.
For all eCourt case types (Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Mental Health, and all Civil Restraining Orders), hard copy documents submitted for filing shall not include exhibit tabs or other dividers which cause the page to exceed ”8 ½ by 11”.
- Format
Copies lodged through a courtroom email proxy must be submitted in PDF format.
B. Lodged copies submitted to a courtroom’s email proxy must be in PDF format.
- Applies to
- Digital submission
Digital submissions are accepted only in the listed document, image, audio, and video formats.
C. The Ventura Superior Court accepts digital submissions only in the following formats: • Document: .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .pdf • Image: .png, .jpg, .gif, .bmp, .tiff • Audio: .mp3, .wav • Video: .mp4
Counsel-prepared jury instructions must follow Exhibit A unless the trial court orders or permits otherwise.
Jury instructions prepared by counsel will be accepted only in the format of Exhibit A hereto, unless otherwise ordered or allowed by the trial court.
- Format
Court-requested post-hearing documents must be emailed to the designated address in PDF format within 24 hours unless the court directs otherwise.
Such specifically requested documents will be electronically delivered in .pdf format as an attachment to electronic mail delivered to courtroomJ6@ventura.courts.ca.gov within twenty-four (24) hours of the request by the court unless the court has indicated otherwise.
A proposed nunc pro tunc order must strike the entire erroneous clause or sentence and restate the complete corrected clause or sentence.
To prevent confusion, the proposed order must strike the entire erroneous clause or sentence and then restate the entire clause or sentence as corrected.
Each petition for probate of a will must have a typed copy of the will attached.
Each petition for probate of a will shall have attached thereto a typed copy of the will.
Proposed findings and orders must be submitted separately from all attachments and cover memoranda.
If any party proposes findings and orders, the proposed findings and orders shall be submitted to the court separate from any attachments or cover memoranda.
A dependency filing containing a confidential document must be marked “Confidential” in red ink on the front page unless law requires another marking.
The party filing a confidential document shall be responsible to clearly indicate it is a confidential document by stamping or writing in red ink on the front page “Confidential” unless otherwise required by law.
Psychological evaluation reports must not be attached to court reports and must instead be filed separately in the confidential portion of the court file.
In order to protect the parties’ privacy and to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of confidential psychological information, psychological evaluation reports shall not be attached to a court report but shall be separately filed in the confidential part of the court’s file.
- Format
Electronic briefs must be text-searchable PDFs, be properly paginated, contain bookmarks, and comply with applicable content and form rules.
Electronic briefs must be submitted in PDF text searchable format, properly paginated, contain bookmarks and comply with applicable California Rules of Court regarding content and form.
Counsel-prepared jury instructions will be accepted only in the Exhibit A format unless the trial court orders or permits otherwise.
Jury instructions prepared by counsel will be accepted only in the format of Exhibit A hereto, unless otherwise ordered or allowed by the trial court. (Deleted effective 01/01/2027)
- Format
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.
Relevant portions must be highlighted on any exhibit exceeding five pages.
If an exhibit is more than five pages, highlight the relevant portions.
Electronically submitted exhibits must be bookmarked and text searchable.
Electronically submitted exhibits must be bookmarked and text searchable.
Paper copies of exhibits must be tabbed by exhibit number.
Paper copies must be tabbed by exhibit number.
Every page of every exhibit must be numbered in an exhibit-and-page format.
Page Numbering: Each page of each exhibit must be numbered (e.g., Exh. A, Page 1).
Trial-document chambers copies must be placed in a labeled, tabbed three-ring binder with a document index.
The chambers copies shall be placed in a labeled and tabbed 3-ring binder with an index of documents.
An electronic administrative record must be lodged on a thumb drive inside an 8½-by-11-inch envelope bearing a case-caption page on its front.
Electronic administrative records must be lodged with the Court on a thumb drive contained in an 8 ½ x 11 envelope with a case caption page on the front of the envelope.
Electronic exhibits must be indexed and bookmarked, should be text-searchable when possible, and each record page must be identified by its Administrative Record page number and index description.
Electronic exhibits must have an index, be bookmarked, text searchable (whenever possible), and each page of the record must be identified by the page number of the Administrative Record, and according to the index description.
- Format
- PAPER
If a paper administrative record is submitted, it must be delivered to Department 44 and comply with Rule 3.1110(f)(1)-(3).
If a paper copy of the administrative record is provided, the record shall be delivered to Department 44 and must comply with Rule 3.1110(f) (1)-(3).
All trial exhibits must be pre-marked with numbers using a unique number range for each party.
Pre-mark all exhibits with numbers (unique number ranges per party)
Duplicate trial exhibits are prohibited.
No duplicate exhibits
Trial exhibits must be placed in numerically tabbed binders whose spines show the exhibit-number ranges.
Place exhibits in numerically tabbed binders with binder spines to reflect exhibit number ranges
Every exhibit page must bear an exhibit and page number, and standalone unattached pages will not be admitted.
Each page of every exhibit must be marked by exhibit and page number (e.g., Exh. 1-001, or Exh. 1, p. 1.). Standalone pages will not be admitted from an exhibit.
Exhibits must be numerically pre-marked, organized in tabbed binders no more than two inches thick, labeled by exhibit number range, and provided as a complete set to each party.
All exhibits, including impeachment materials, shall be pre-marked using numbers, with each party assigned a unique number range to avoid duplication. The parties shall agree on a master set of exhibits, excluding impeachment materials, and shall place such exhibits into numerically tabbed binders. The binders shall not be more than two inches, and the spine of the binder shall be labeled to indicate the number range of the exhibits contained in each binder. The parties are responsible to ensure that each party has a complete set of exhibits.
A party presenting slides to the jury must provide printed copies to all other parties and the court clerk at least 15 minutes before the presentation.
Any party showing a PowerPoint or similar presentation to the jury in opening statements or closing arguments shall provide a printed hardcopy of the slides to all other parties and the Court clerk at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation.
The parties must prepare a master exhibit set, excluding impeachment materials, in numerically tabbed binders no thicker than two inches with appropriately labeled spines identifying the exhibit numbers.
The parties shall agree on a master set of exhibits, excluding impeachment materials, and shall place such exhibits into numerically tabbed binders, which binders shall not be more than two inches. The spine of the binder shall be appropriately labeled and shall indicate the exhibit numbers contained therein.
Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be numbered at the bottom with the exhibit number and consecutive page number.
Multi-page exhibits shall be numbered at the bottom of the page with the exhibit number plus the consecutive page number of the exhibit (i.e., Ex. 17-003 to refer to page 3 of exhibit 17).
All exhibits, including impeachment materials, must be pre-marked with numbers, and each party must use a unique number range.
All exhibits, including impeachment materials, shall be pre-marked using numbers, with each party assigned a unique number range to avoid duplication.
The parties must agree on a master exhibit set, excluding impeachment materials, and place it in numerically tabbed binders no thicker than two inches.
The parties shall agree on a master set of exhibits, excluding impeachment materials, and shall place such exhibits into numerically tabbed binders, which binders shall not be more than two inches.
Each exhibit binder's spine must be labeled with the exhibit numbers contained in it.
The spine of the binder shall be appropriately labeled and shall indicate the exhibit numbers contained therein.
Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be numbered at the bottom with the exhibit number and consecutive page number.
Multi-page exhibits shall be numbered at the bottom of the page with the exhibit number plus the consecutive page number of the exhibit (i.e. Ex. 17-003 to refer to page 3 of exhibit 17).
- Format
- PAPER
A party using slides must provide printed hard copies to counsel and the clerk no later than 15 minutes before the presentation.
Any party showing a PowerPoint or similar presentation to the jury in opening statements or closing arguments shall provide a printed hard copy of the slides to counsel and the clerk not later than 15 minutes before the presentation.
A current jury-duty medical excuse must be on the health care provider’s letterhead or prescription pad.
Must be on the Health Care Provider’s letterhead or prescription pad.
A permanent medical-excuse note must be on the provider’s letterhead, be signed by the provider, identify the juror by full name and badge number, and state that the juror has a permanent physical or mental disability or impairment.
If you are requesting a permanent medical excuse, the note must state that you have a permanent physical or mental disability or impairment that makes you incapable of performing jury service, pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1009. Note Requirements: • Must be on the Health Care Provider’s letterhead. • Must be signed by the Health Care Provider. • Must include your full name and badge number_______________________. • Must state that you have a permanent physical or mental disability or impairment.
The exhibit number or letter must appear in the footer of every page of each exhibit.
Parties shall specify the exhibit number or letter in the footer of every page of each exhibit.
Counsel must pre-mark and exchange exhibits, prepare a joint exhibit list and exhibit binders, and provide binders for opposing counsel, the witness stand, the bench, and the clerk if the judge orders a clerk copy.
Pre-mark and exchange exhibits. Prepare a joint exhibit list and exhibit binders. An exhibit binder is needed for each of the following 1) opposing counsel(s), 2) witness stand, 3) bench, and 4) clerk (if ordered by the judge).
Findings and orders after hearing, stipulations and orders, and judgments must be submitted in legible, hand-printed or typewritten form.
All Findings and Orders After Hearing, Stipulation and Orders and all Judgments shall be submitted to the court in a legible form, either hand printed or typewritten.
- Format
The electronic version of a brief on the merits must be a searchable PDF and, unless the court directs otherwise, must contain hyperlinks to cited materials.
The electronic version of the brief shall be in a portable document format (PDF) capable of full text searching and, unless the court directs otherwise, contain hyperlinks to material cited in the brief, including the administrative record, cited decisions, and any other brief in the case filed electronically by the parties.
When an administrative record is divided into volumes, each page should identify its volume, exhibit number, and page number.
To the extent the record is broken up into volumes, each page of the Administrative Record should reflect the Volume, Exhibit Number, and Page Number.
Exhibits supporting or opposing a motion must be consecutively numbered at the bottom of each page, and exhibit references in briefs or declarations should include page numbers.
Exhibits submitted in support of or in opposition to a motion must consecutively numbered at the bottom of the page and references to exhibits in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
With court approval, abbreviated opening statements may be presented for no more than two minutes per party and must contain only neutral, non-argumentative descriptions of claims and defenses.
Any party may request court approval to provide abbreviated opening statements in accordance with CCP 222.5(d). Abbreviated statements shall not exceed 2 minutes per party and shall include only neutral non-argumentative descriptions of each party’s claims and defenses.
Pages of exhibits supporting or opposing motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom, and exhibit references in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
All pages of exhibits submitted in support of or opposition to motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom of the page and references to exhibits in briefs or declarations ===== PAGE 4 ===== should include the page number.
Pages intended for separate admission should be separately tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
If the parties wish to admit only certain pages of an exhibit, those pages should be separately tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
Exhibits supporting or opposing motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom of each page, and exhibit references in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
All pages of exhibits submitted in support of or opposition to motions should be consecutively numbered at the bottom of the page and references to exhibits in briefs or declarations should include the page number.
Parties should include only exhibits relevant and necessary to the motion and highlight the relevant portions.
Parties should limit exhibits to only those relevant and necessary to the motion, with relevant portions highlighted.
Pages intended for separate admission should be individually tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
If the parties wish to admit only certain pages of an exhibit, those pages should be separately tabbed and numbered as standalone exhibits.
CASA reports have no court-prescribed format.
There is no required format for a CASA report.
Exhibits should be tabbed at the bottom of the pleadings.
Exhibits should be tabbed at the bottom of the pleadings.
For an exhibit longer than five pages, the relevant portions should be highlighted.
If an exhibit is more than five (5) pages, please highlight the relevant portions of the exhibit.
What formatting rules apply to filings in Ventura Superior Court?
Ventura Superior Court's formatting rule includes letter paper and no exhibit tabs or other dividers that cause the page to exceed 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Hard-copy filings in the specified eCourt case types may not use exhibit tabs or dividers that enlarge the page beyond 8.5 by 11 inches.
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