Judge Mark C. Scarsi
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Filings (Memorandum Of Points Authorities, Opening Brief, Opposition, Reply, Supplemental Brief, Surreply)
Required
Filings (Opposition, Reply)
Required
Adjournments
Must Include
- 1Reason For Request
- 2Proposed New Dates
- 3Detailed Declaration
Communication
Letter Ecf
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Chambers
Detailed Drafting Rules
All discovery matters are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge.
All discovery matters, including all discovery motions, are referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Magistrate Judge's initials appear next to District Judge's initials on case number.
The Magistrate Judge's initials follow the District Judge's initials next to the case number on this Order.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Discovery-related documents must include "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption.
All discovery-related documents must include the words "DISCOVERY MATTER" in the caption to
Document Type
Discovery Matter
Magistrate Judge's orders are only reversed if clearly erroneous or contrary to law.
In accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A), the Court will not reverse any order of the Magistrate Judge unless it has been shown that the Magistrate Judge's order is clearly erroneous or contrary to law.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Telephonic appearances rarely permitted; require notice to opposing counsel, 3-day advance filing, showing of undue hardship, and availability 30 minutes before/after hearing.
The Court expects counsel to appear in person at any hearing. The Court only rarely permits telephonic appearances. Counsel seeking to appear by telephone must: (1) notify opposing counsel of the request to appear telephonically; (2) at least three court days before the hearing, file a request to appear telephonically and proposed order supported by a showing that personal appearance will cause undue hardship; (3) provide the Courtroom Deputy Clerk with the telephone number at which the Court can reach counsel; and (4) be available at that number for at least 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the time of the scheduling hearing.
Phone
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Required3 court days before hearing
Discovery should begin actively before Scheduling Conference unless premature.
Unless there is a likelihood that, upon motion by a party, the Court would order that any or all discovery is premature, counsel should begin to conduct discovery actively before the Scheduling Conference.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Discovery is not stayed before Scheduling Conference unless Court orders otherwise.
Discovery is not stayed prior to the Scheduling Conference or after dates have been set unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Motions must comply with Local Rules 6-1 and 7.
Motions shall be filed in accordance with Local Rule 6-1 and Local Rule 7.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Motions heard on Mondays at 9:00 a.m., or following Monday if holiday.
In general, this Court hears motions on Mondays, beginning at 9:00 a.m. If Monday is a national holiday, motions will be heard on the following Monday.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
No need to clear hearing date before filing, but review closed motion dates first.
It is not necessary to clear a hearing date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk prior to the filing of a motion, but counsel shall review the Court's closed motion dates prior to selecting a date.
Letter via ECF
Direct to: Chambers
Reply briefs limited to 3,000 words or 10 pages (handwritten/typewritten); no surreplies without leave.
All motion papers shall comply with Local Rule 11-3. Only in rare instances brief length limitations of Local Rule 11-6. Reply briefs may not exceed 3,000 words, excluding indices and exhibits. A handwritten or typewritten reply brief may not exceed 10 pages, excluding indices and exhibits. No supplemental brief or surreply shall be filed without prior leave of Court.
All documents must be converted to text-searchable PDF with selectable text.
Counsel shall adhere to Local Rule 5-4.3.1 with respect to the conversion of all documents to a PDF so that when a document is filed, it is in the proper size and format that is text-searchable. Further, all documents shall be filed in a format so that text can be selected, copied, and pasted directly from the document.
Electronic exhibits must be provided on USB flash drive; CDs/DVDs not accepted.
Electronic nonpaper exhibits lodged under Local Rule 5-4.2(b)(1) (e.g., audio and video files) must be provided on a USB flash drive. The Court will not accept electronic exhibits provided by CD or DVD.
Case law citations must include specific page references and follow Bluebook style.
Citations of case law must identify not only the case cited, but also the specific page referenced. For example, if a quotation is presented, the associated page citation shall be provided. Similarly, if a case is cited in support of a proposition based on language in the opinion, the pages on which such language appears shall be provided. Bluebook style is preferred.
Statutory and other source citations must be specific and follow Bluebook style.
Statutory references should identify with specificity the sections and subsections referenced. Citations of treatises, manuals, and other materials should include the volume, section, and pages that are referenced. Citations of prior filings in the same matter shall include the docket entry number, section, and pages that are referenced. Bluebook style is preferred.
Summary judgment papers should use tabs, tables of contents, headings, and indices to assist the Court.
The parties should prepare papers in a fashion that will assist the Court in locating the evidence with respect to the facts (e.g., generous use of tabs, tables of contents, headings, indices, etc.).
Electronically filed evidence must be text-searchable with selectable text.
The parties shall ensure that electronically filed copies of evidence in support of, or in opposition to, a motion for summary judgment are in the proper format. Thus, all documents must be text-searchable and have selectable text that may be copied and pasted directly from the filed document.
Testimony in statements must be highlighted and/or underlined.
Additionally, testimony cited in a statement of uncontroverted facts, statement of genuine material facts, or statement of additional material facts shall be highlighted and/or underlined.
Pro se filings must be emailed as PDF to specific address with required subject line
The document shall be emailed as a PDF document to mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov no later than the date it is due. The Court will deem the date the document is emailed as the filed or lodged date. The subjet line of the email shall contain: (i) the case number, (ii) case name, and (iii) "Pro Se Filing" to ensure it will be filed/lodged properly.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursunspecified
- Status Inquiries
Chambers email only for filing documents, not for communication
Pro se/self-represented parties may use the chambers email solely to present documents for filing. The chambers email is not to be used in any way to communicate with the Judge or Clerk. All parties, including pro se/self-represented parties, shall refrain from writing letters to the Court, sending email messages, making telephone calls to chambers, or otherwise communicating with the Court unless opposing counsel is present. All matters must be called to the Court’s attention by appropriate application or motion C.D. Cal. R. 83-2.5.
Direct to: Chambers
- Advance Notice Requirednone
- Hoursunspecified
- Status Inquiries