Court Rules

Ventura Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

12 rules from official source documents

Pre-motion conference and letter requirements before filing motions, including sequential steps. This page is scoped to Ventura Superior Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.

Custody, visitation, or combined disputes require legally mandated mediation through Ventura County Family Court Services.

Mediation of disputes over custody, visitation, or both, is required by law and provided by the Ventura County Family Court Services section of the Superior Court pursuant to the provisions of Family Code Chapter 11, (Sections 3160 et seq.).

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

Parties involved in a custody or visitation dispute must complete Family Court Orientation before mediation.

Additionally, the Ventura County Family Courts require parties involved in the dispute to participate in Family Court Orientation prior to any mediation.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

A case disputing parental responsibilities, custody, or visitation must be referred for CCRC, and except for temporary orders pending CCRC, the session must precede any hearing on those issues.

Whenever a case involves a dispute over parental responsibilities or custody or visitation, the matter shall be referred to Family Court Services for CCRC. Except for temporary orders pending CCRC, the CCRC session must occur prior to any court hearing on the issues.

Court-level rulesCRITICALOfficial source

A party may not bring more than five in limine motions without leave of court.

No party shall bring more than five (5) in limine motions without leave of Court.

Judge Maureen M. HouskaCRITICAL

A party may not file more than five motions in limine without leave of court.

No party shall bring more than five (5) motions in limine motions without leave of Court.

Judge Ronda J. McKaigCRITICAL

Ex parte matters may be handled as a walk-through without arranging a set time in advance, provided appropriate notice is given under Rule 9.06(A).

Ex Parte matters may also be handled as a “walk-through” without a set time arranged in advance, with appropriate notice as set forth in Rule 9.06.A.

Court-level rulesWARNINGOfficial source

Relief from the contested-trial rules requires a motion and a showing of good cause.

Relief from the operation of these rules relating to contested trials may be had in appropriate cases, but only on motion and for good cause shown.

Court-level rulesWARNINGOfficial source

The parties must meet and confer about the necessity of in limine motions and are encouraged to stipulate to evidentiary issues to avoid motions.

The parties shall meet and confer on the necessity of any motions in limine and are encouraged to stipulate to evidentiary issues as much as possible so as to avoid the need for motions.

Judge Maureen M. HouskaWARNING

Parties generally should not bring motions seeking orders that merely compel compliance with existing law.

Motions that seek orders compelling compliance with existing law should generally not be asserted.

Judge Maureen M. HouskaWARNING

The parties should agree on a briefing schedule and complete in limine motion briefing at least seven days before trial.

The parties should agree upon an acceptable schedule for the service of motions, oppositions thereto and reply briefs in support (if necessary), such that the parties can complete this briefing at least seven (7) days before trial.

Judge Maureen M. HouskaWARNING

Parties must meet and confer about the necessity of motions in limine and are encouraged to stipulate to avoid them when possible.

The parties shall meet and confer on the necessity of any motions in limine and are encouraged to stipulate to the maximum extent possible to avoid the need for motions.

Judge Ronda J. McKaigWARNING

Motions seeking orders compelling compliance with existing law generally should not be filed.

Motions that seek orders compelling compliance with existing law should generally not be asserted.

Judge Ronda J. McKaigINFO
Common questions about Ventura Superior Court pre-motion conference requirements

Does Ventura Superior Court require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Ventura Superior Court rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Custody, visitation, or combined disputes require legally mandated mediation through Ventura County Family Court Services.

View ruleSource: page 38, section RULE 9.30 GENERAL PROVISIONS

Does Ventura Superior Court require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Ventura Superior Court rules set a pre-motion procedure for in limine. A party may not bring more than five in limine motions without leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 5, section Trial Rules and Procedures

Does Ventura Superior Court require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Ventura Superior Court rules set a pre-motion procedure for ex parte applications. Ex parte matters may be handled as a walk-through without arranging a set time in advance, provided appropriate notice is given under Rule 9.06(A).

View ruleSource: page 31, section RULE 9.05 DATES AND TIMES FOR HEARINGS