Northern District of California Electronic Filing Rules

Applies to

Discovery letter brief

Discovery letter briefs must be e-filed under the specified category in the court’s electronic filing system.

Note: Discovery letter briefs must be e-filed under the Civil Events category of Motions and Related Filings: Motions—General: “Discovery Letter Brief.”

Applies to

Proposed stipulated protective order

Parties must submit a redline comparison with the model standard litigation stipulated protective order and the electronic proposed order to ygrpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

The parties shall submit a redline comparison with the model Stipulated Protective Order for Standard Litigation, along with their electronic form of proposed order, to ygrpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Proposed order sealing

Proposed orders on sealing requests must be filed electronically and emailed to the Court’s proposed order inbox.

Parties shall file and email to the Court’s proposed order inbox, a proposed order addressing all sealing requests.

Applies to

Discovery letter brief

Discovery letter briefs must be e-filed under the 'Discovery Letter Brief' Civil Events category.

Discovery letter briefs must be e-filed under the Civil Events category of Motions and Related Filings > Motions – General > “Discovery Letter Brief.”

Applies to

Jury materials

Jury materials must be filed in hard copy and emailed in word processing format to BLFpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

All jury materials must be submitted in hard copy and in word processing format via e-mail to BLFpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Jury instructions and verdict form

Parties must e-mail Microsoft Word version of proposed jury instructions and verdict form to jdpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

The parties must e-mail a Microsoft Word version of the proposed jury instructions and verdict form to jdpo@cand.uscourts.gov by noon the day after the pretrial filings due date.

Applies to

Voir dire questions

Parties must e-mail Microsoft Word version of proposed voir dire questions to jdpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

A Microsoft Word version of the proposed voir dire questions should be e-mailed to jdpo@cand.uscourts.gov by noon the day after the pretrial filings due date.

Applies to

Discovery dispute letter

Discovery dispute letters and cancellation letters must be electronically filed.

The letter should be electronically filed, as should a timely letter cancelling any conference or hearing scheduled by the Court if settlement is reached.

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed order must be e-filed after discovery dispute conference or hearing.

After the telephone conference or hearing, if any, counsel should submit their proposed order (agreed as to form) by e-filing it.

Applies to

Admitted exhibits

Following trial, parties must coordinate with courtroom deputy to electronically file all admitted exhibits, the official court record.

Following trial, the parties shall coordinate with the courtroom deputy regarding electronic filing of all admitted exhibits, which shall be the official court record.

Applies to

Joint letter brief

Joint letter briefs for discovery disputes must be filed electronically in the specified ECF category.

The joint letter brief must be filed electronically in the Civil Events category of Motions and Related Filings > Motions – General > Discovery Letter Brief.

Electronically filed documents must be text-searchable PDFs whenever possible, with an exemption for self-represented litigants without counsel.

Electronically filed documents must be text-searchable PDFs whenever possible. This requirement is waived for self-represented litigants who are proceeding without a lawyer.

Applies to

Exhibits

After trial, parties must coordinate with courtroom deputy to e-file all admitted exhibits.

Following trial, the parties shall coordinate with the courtroom deputy regarding electronic filing of all admitted exhibits, which shall be the official court record.

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions voir dire verdict form

Word versions of jury instructions, voir dire, and verdict form must be emailed same day as filing.

The parties must e-mail Word versions of the proposed jury instructions, voir dire, and verdict form to nwpo@cand.uscourts.gov on the same day they file them.

Applies to

Admitted exhibit

After trial, parties must coordinate with the courtroom deputy to electronically file all admitted exhibits, which constitute the official court record.

Following trial, the parties shall coordinate with the courtroom deputy regarding electronic filing of all admitted exhibits, which shall be the official court record.

Applies to

Pretrial filing

All pretrial filings must be uploaded to the Box.com link provided by the Courtroom Deputy.

All pretrial filings shall be uploaded to that link.

Applies to

Proposed supplemental juror questionnaire

Parties must file proposed supplemental juror questions on the docket and also submit a Microsoft Word compatible version to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

The parties shall file these questions on the docket and submit a Microsoft Word compatible version to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Pretrial filings

All pretrial filings must be uploaded to Judge Lin's chambers' Box.com storage via the provided form, completing all fields exactly as on the docket, with sealed documents uploaded in a separate submission using the same process.

All pretrial filings shall be uploaded to that link. You should follow the instructions carefully, including by completing all fields exactly as on the docket, and uploading sealed documents in a separate submission using the same process.

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits must be uploaded to Box.com storage no later than 5 days before trial.

Upload exhibits to Box.com storage — 5 Days Before Trial

Proposed supplemental jury instructions, the Joint Pretrial Conference Statement, jury instructions, involved individuals list, and verdict forms must be e-mailed to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov when they are filed.

The proposed supplemental jury instructions, Joint Pretrial Conference Statement, jury instructions, involved individuals list, and verdict form(s) shall be submitted in Word format via e-mail to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov when they are filed.

Applies to

Pretrial filings

All pretrial filings must be uploaded to chambers' Box.com link instead of submitting paper courtesy-copy binders, with all form fields completed exactly as on the docket.

Instead of requiring paper binders of courtesy copies from the parties, Judge Lin uses an electronic binder to organize pretrial filings. Please use this form to upload the documents to chambers' Box.com storage: https://cand.app.box.com/f/12aea34b708b4e63a1ceada8a6731839. All pretrial filings shall be uploaded to that link.

Applies to

Trial exhibits

Each side must upload trial exhibits electronically to Judge Lin's chambers' Box.com storage no later than 5 days before trial.

No later than 5 days before trial, each side shall upload the exhibits electronically to Judge Lin's chambers' Box.com storage.

Applies to

Pretrial filing

All pretrial filings in criminal cases must be submitted to the San Francisco Clerk's Office.

All pretrial filings in the Court’s criminal cases shall be submitted to the San Francisco Clerk’s Office.

Applies to

Transcript order form

Parties desiring a daily transcript and/or real-time reporting must e-file a transcript order form (CAND 435).

Should a daily transcript and/or real-time reporting be desired, the parties shall e-file a transcript order form (CAND 435), at least 14 days before trial.

Declarations must be filed separately from motions; exhibits to declarations must be filed separately from the declaration and other exhibits, except attachments to exhibits need not be filed separately.

declaration must be filed separately from the motion, and each exhibit to a declaration must be filed separately from the declaration and from the other exhibits. However, when an exhibit to a declaration contains an attachment, that attachment need not be filed separately.

Applies to

Proposed order

Proposed orders are only required for specified motion types, must be in Microsoft Word format, and sent to the specified email address; they are not required for most substantive motions.

Proposed orders are not necessary for most substantive motions, such as motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, or preliminary injunction motions. The parties should submit proposed orders only in connection with administrative motions, stipulations requiring modifications of the case schedule, ex parte applications, discovery disputes, and rulings that call upon the court to make factual findings (such as a motion to approve a class settlement or a motion for attorneys’ fees). All proposed orders should be sent in Microsoft Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov.an

Applies to

Proposed supplemental juror questionnaire

Parties must submit a Word version of the proposed supplemental juror questionnaire to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov in addition to filing on the docket.

The parties shall file these questions on the docket and submit a Word version to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Specified pretrial documents must be submitted via email to the provided address with no paper copies required.

The proposed supplemental jury questions, Joint Pretrial Conference Statement, jury instructions, involved individuals list, and verdict form(s) shall be submitted in Microsoft Word format via e-mail to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov when they are filed. There is no need to submit paper copies.

Applies to

Proposed findings conclusions

Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law must be emailed to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov in Word format in addition to regular filing.

In addition to being filed, the proposed findings must be emailed to the Court (vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov) in Word format.

Applies to

Proposed jury questions

Proposed jury questionnaire questions must be filed on the docket and a Word version emailed 21 days before the pretrial conference.

At least 21 days before the pretrial conference, the parties shall file the proposed questions on the docket and submit a Word version to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Proposed verdict form

Proposed verdict forms must be sent in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov via email.

No later than 7 days before the pretrial conference, the parties must jointly file, and send in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov, either an agreed-upon proposed verdict form or competing proposed verdict forms.

Applies to

Exhibit list

Exhibit lists must be sent in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov via email.

No later than 7 days before the pretrial conference, each party must file, and send in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov, a list of exhibits.

Applies to

Witness list

Witness lists must be sent in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov via email.

No later than 7 days before the pretrial conference, the parties must file, and send in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov, lists of potential witnesses to be called at trial, other than solely for impeachment or rebuttal.

Applies to

Involved individual list

Involved individual lists must be sent in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov via email.

No later than 7 days before the pretrial conference, the parties must jointly file, and send in Word format to vcpo@cand.uscourts.gov, a list of people involved in the case.

Applies to

Pretrial order jury instructions verdict form

Joint Proposed Final Pretrial Order, jury instructions, and verdict form must be submitted via email as Word attachments to askpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

The Joint Proposed Final Pretrial Order, jury instructions, and verdict form shall also be submitted via e-mail as Word attachments to askpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Discovery letter brief

Discovery dispute statements must be filed in ECF under the specified Civil Events category.

The statement(s) must be filed in ECF under the Civil Events category of Motions and Related Filings > Motions: General > Discovery Letter Brief.

Applies to

Settlement conference statement

Settlement Conference Statement must be lodged with chambers, not e-filed, at least 14 calendar days before the conference.

Each party shall prepare a Settlement Conference Statement, which must be LODGED with Judge Krishnan’s chambers (NOT electronically filed) no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the Settlement Conference.

Manual filing requires an original and three copies delivered to the Clerk's Office in Oakland.

To manually file documents, litigants should bring an original and three copies to the Clerk’s Office on the fourth floor of the Federal Courthouse in Oakland.

Applies to

Settlement conference statement

Settlement Conference Statements must be lodged with Chambers by email to PHKsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov no later than 10 business days before the conference.

No later than ten (10) business days prior to the Settlement Conference, counsel for each Party (or each individual Party representing themselves pro se) shall lodge with Chambers their Party’s Settlement Conference Statement by emailing a .pdf of their Party’s Settlement Conference Statement to PHKsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Settlement conference statement

Settlement Conference Statements must not be filed with the Court, either manually or via ECF.

Settlement Conference Statements shall not be filed (manually or electronically using ECF) with the Court.

Applies to

Settlement conference statement

Hard copies of Settlement Conference Statements or exhibits must not be lodged with Chambers.

Hard copies of Settlement Conference Statements or their exhibits shall not be lodged with Chambers, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

Applies to

Continuance request

Continuance requests must be filed electronically on ECF.

Any request to continue a scheduled Settlement Conference must be filed on ECF

Applies to

Confidential settlement statement

Confidential Settlement Statements must be lodged with Chambers by email to PHKsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov no later than 10 business days before the conference.

No later than ten (10) business days prior to the Settlement Conference, counsel for each Party (or each individual Party representing themselves pro se) shall lodge with Chambers their Party’s Confidential Settlement Statement by emailing a .pdf of their Party’s Confidential Settlement Statement to PHKsettlement@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Confidential settlement statement

Confidential Settlement Statements must not be filed with the Court clerk, either manually or via ECF.

Confidential Settlement Statements shall not be filed (manually or electronically using ECF) with the Court clerk.

Confidential Settlement Statements and exhibits must not be lodged with Chambers unless the Court orders otherwise.

Confidential Settlement Statements or their exhibits shall not be lodged with Chambers, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

Joint Pretrial Statement must be filed in ECF.

At least 21 days before the Pretrial Conference, the parties must file in ECF a Joint Pretrial Statement that includes as attachments the items listed below.

Each motion, supporting declaration, and exhibit must be filed on ECF as a separate text-searchable PDF.

When filing documents on ECF, each motion, supporting declaration, and exhibit should be filed as a separate text-searchable PDF.

A declaration and its exhibits should generally be filed as one docket entry, with the declaration as the Main Document and each exhibit as a separate Attachment.

A declaration, along with any exhibits, should generally be filed as one docket entry, with the declaration as the “Main Document” in ECF, and each exhibit filed separately as an “Attachment.”

The ECF Description field for each filed motion, declaration, and exhibit must include the name of the document.

When filing motions, declarations, and exhibits, the ECF “Description” of each document should include the name of the document.

The later-filing party must cite to the earlier-filed exhibit and must not file a duplicate exhibit when both parties rely on the same exhibit.

Where each party relies on the same exhibit, the later-filing party should cite to the earlier-filed exhibit and should not file a duplicate exhibit.

Proposed findings must be submitted in hard copy and via email to chambers.

The proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be submitted in hard copy as well as in word processing format via email to RSpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Exhibits

All exhibits to motions must be separately filed on ECF using docket numbering such as 31-1, 31-2, etc.

All exhibits to motions should be separately filed on ECF. For example, if the motion is Docket No. 30, and the declaration with 10 exhibits is Docket No. 31, Exhibit A would be filed as Docket No. 31-1, Exhibit B would be Docket No. 31-2, and so on.

Applies to

Proposed supplemental juror questionnaire

Parties must file proposed supplemental juror questionnaire on the docket and email a Word version to chambers.

The parties shall file these questions on the docket and submit a Microsoft Word compatible version to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

Applies to

Exhibits

All exhibits to motions must be separately filed on ECF, with each exhibit docketed individually (e.g., Docket No. 31-1, 31-2).

All exhibits to motions should be separately filed on ECF. For example, if the motion is Docket No. 30, and the declaration with 10 exhibits is Docket No. 31, Exhibit A would be filed as Docket No. 31-1, Exhibit B would be Docket No. 31-2, and so on.

Applies to

Proposed settlement notices

Proposed notices, claims forms, and other preliminary approval documents should be sent by email to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

The proposed notices, claims forms, and other documents associated with preliminary approval should be sent in Microsoft Word compatible format to rflpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

ECF descriptions for motions, exhibits, and declarations should include the document name and a brief description.

When filing motions, exhibits, and declarations, the ECF “Description” of each document should include the name of the document and a brief description of the document. For instance, a news release filed as the first exhibit to a declaration would be, “Decl Doe Ex 1 - News Release.”

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits must be filed separately on ECF with individual docket numbers and in searchable OCR format when possible.

When exhibits are included with a motion, opposition brief, or reply brief, the exhibits should be filed separately on ECF. For example, if a motion is Docket No. 30, and a declaration with 10 exhibits is Docket No. 31, Exhibit A should be filed as Docket No. 31-1, Exhibit B should be filed as Docket No. 31-2, and so on. All exhibits should be filed in a searchable OCR format when possible.

Pro se litigants may file documents manually by bringing an original and three copies to the Clerk's Office unless they are permitted ECF users.

Pro se litigants may file documents manually, unless they have applied for and been given permission to become an ECF user pursuant to Civil L.R. 5-1(b). To manually file documents, litigants should bring an original and three copies to the Clerk’s Office on the fourth floor of the Federal Courthouse in Oakland.

Applies to

Exhibits

Exhibits must be filed separately on ECF with each exhibit as its own docket entry (e.g., 31-1, 31-2), in searchable OCR format when possible.

When exhibits are included with a motion, opposition brief, or reply brief, the exhibits should be filed separately on ECF. For example, if a motion is Docket No. 30, and a declaration with 10 exhibits is Docket No. 31, Exhibit A should be filed as Docket No. 31-1, Exhibit B should be filed as Docket No. 31-2, and so on. All exhibits should be filed in a searchable OCR format when possible.

Applies to

Discovery letter brief

Discovery dispute statements must be filed in ECF under Civil Events > Motions and Related Filings > Motions: General > Discovery Letter Brief.

The statement(s) must be filed in ECF under the Civil Events category of Motions and Related Filings > Motions: General > Discovery Letter Brief.

Applies to

Jury instructions

Parties must email full text of preliminary, general, and concluding jury instructions in Microsoft Word format to jswpo@cand.uscourts.gov.

the parties shall include the full text of these instructions in the email of Microsoft Word documents to jswpo@cand.uscourts.gov required by this Order.

Applies to

Admitted exhibits

Admitted exhibits must be filed using the CM/ECF event 'Admitted Exhibits'.

The parties shall file through the CM/ECF event 'Admitted Exhibits' those exhibits admitted for review by the trier of fact.

Applies to

Exhibits

After trial, parties must coordinate with courtroom deputy to e-file all admitted exhibits.

Following trial, the parties shall coordinate with the courtroom deputy regarding electronic filing of all admitted exhibits, which shall be the official court record.

Motions with supporting declarations or exhibits should generally be filed as one ECF docket entry, with the motion as the Main Document and each declaration/exhibit as a separate Attachment.

A motion, along with any supporting declarations or exhibits, should generally be filed as one docket entry, with the motion submitted as the “Main Document” in ECF, and each declaration and exhibit filed separately as “Attachments.”

Manual filing is permitted with an original and three copies delivered to the Clerk’s Office on the fourth floor of the Oakland Federal Courthouse.

To manually file documents, litigants should bring an original and three copies to the Clerk’s Office on the fourth floor of the Federal Courthouse in Oakland.