Court Rules
magistrate Judge
Verified Current21 hours ago

Judge Barbara L. Major

Southern District of California

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Discovery Motion
15 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Filings (>30 pages)

Upon Request

Adjournments

Notice Required
5Court Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Good Cause
  • 2
    Meet And Confer
  • 3
    Motion
Notice Required
7Days

Must Include

  • 1
    Meet And Confer
  • 2
    Motion
  • 3
    Good Cause

Must Include

  • 1
    Good Cause
  • 2
    Judicial Consent
  • 3
    Meet And Confer
  • 4
    Joint Motion
  • 5
    Declaration
  • 6
    Compliance Efforts
  • 7
    Specific Reasons
  • 8
    Prior Extensions
  • 9
    Reason For Request
  • 10
    Original Date
  • 11
    Number Of Previous Requests
  • 12
    Proposed Rescheduled Date
  • 13
    Affects Other Dates
Notice Required
30Calendar Days
Notice Required
1Business Days

Communication

Chambers

ConferencesScheduling
No Confidential, Timing Requirement
Letter Ecf

Chambers

No Status Inquiries
Phone

Chambers

Scheduling
No Status Inquiries
Email

Chambers

efile_major@casd.uscourts.gov
Lodging Documents
Phone

Chambers

(619) 557-7372
SchedulingNotification
Advance Notice Required
Email

Chambers

Emergencies
No Status Inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantCommunicationConferencesExhibitsCourtesy CopiesLettersSettlementElectronicsDiscovery

Detailed Drafting Rules

Communication ProtocolNote

ENE conference is informal, off-the-record, and confidential.

The ENE is a multi-purpose conference. The conference is informal, off-the-record, and confidential.

Contact Method

Approved Topics
Conferences
Prohibited
  • Confidential
Page 2
|SecII. Early Neutral Evaluation Conference
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Letters and emails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested.

Letters and emails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested by the Court.

Letter via ECF

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolImportant

If letters/emails are requested, copies must be sent to all counsel; court should not be copied on counsel correspondence.

Letters and emails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested by the Court. If letters or emails are requested by the Court, copies of the same must be simultaneously delivered to all counsel, unless otherwise directed by the Court (such as with confidential Early Neutral Evaluation ("ENE") statements and confidential Settlement Conference ("SC") statements). The Court should not be copied on correspondence between counsel.

Letter via ECF

Approved Topics
Status Inquiries
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Telephone calls to chambers are limited to procedural matters only.

Telephone calls to chambers are permitted only for procedural matters such as scheduling a conference. Court personnel are prohibited from giving legal advice or discussing the merits of a case.

Phone

Approved Topics
SchedulingStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolNote

Identify case as odd/even by last digit when calling chambers.

When calling chambers, be prepared to identify your case as odd or even based on the last digit of the case number, so your call can be directed to the appropriate law clerk.

Phone

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Only attorneys with case knowledge may contact chambers.

Only an attorney with knowledge of the case may contact chambers.

Phone

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Lodged documents must be emailed to efile_major@casd.uscourts.gov.

When an order directs you to "lodge" a document with chambers (usually an ENE or SC statement), it must be e-mailed to efile_major@casd.uscourts.gov.

Email

Approved Topics
Lodging Documents
Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Courtesy CopyMandatory

Courtesy copy required for lodged documents over 30 pages.

If the document including exhibits exceeds 30 pages, a courtesy copy must be

Upon Request Only

Do not send copies unless specifically asked by Chambers.

Page 1
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Courtesy CopyMandatory

Courtesy copy required for civil filings over 30 pages, delivered within 24 hours.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, parties must deliver a courtesy copy of a civil filing that exceeds 30 pages in length including attachments and exhibit to the Court's chambers, 333 West Broadway, Suite 1180, San Diego, CA 92101 or to the Clerk's Office if chambers' staff is unavailable. The courtesy copy must be delivered within 24 hours after the electronic filing.

Courtesy Copies Required

When: Page Threshold > 30
Logistics
Quantity1 Copy
TimingWithin 24 Hours
MethodHand Delivery
Page 2
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Courtesy CopyMandatory

Courtesy copy required for multiple filings on same day exceeding 30 pages cumulatively.

A party also must provide a courtesy copy of the filings if the party makes multiple filings in the same case on the same day and those filings cumulatively exceed 30 pages.

Courtesy Copies Required

When: Page Threshold > 30
Logistics
Quantity1 Copy
TimingWithin 24 Hours
MethodHand Delivery
Page 2
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolNote

ENE is typically scheduled after Answer is filed.

The ENE typically is not scheduled until an Answer has been filed.

Contact Method

Approved Topics
Conferences
Prohibited
  • Timing Requirement
    after_answer_filed
Page 2
|SecII. Early Neutral Evaluation Conference
Communication ProtocolNote

Scheduling Order sets MSC; additional SCs may be ordered.

The Scheduling Order will set the MSC and the Court may issue additional orders setting further SCs.

Contact Method

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Page 2
|SecII. Early Neutral Evaluation Conference
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Request to change from Zoom to in-person requires meet-and-confer and phone call to court 5 days before.

If the Court sets a Zoom proceeding and the parties would prefer to appear in person, they must meet and confer with each other and then contact the Court via telephone at (619) 557-7372. This must occur at least 5 court days before the proceeding.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Scheduling
Requirements
  • Advance Notice Required
    5 court days before proceeding
Page 3
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Communication ProtocolMandatory

Settlement before conference requires Notice of Settlement filing and prompt call to chambers.

If the case is settled in its entirety, or as to any party(ies), before the scheduled conference, counsel must file a Notice of Settlement and promptly call chambers at (619) 557-7372.

Phone

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
Notification
Page 4
|SecI. Communication with Chambers
Page or Word LimitMandatory

Discovery motions and oppositions limited to 15 pages; reply briefs not permitted.

Unless otherwise authorized, discovery motions and oppositions may not exceed 15 pages, exclusive of exhibits. Reply briefs are not permitted unless requested and authorized by the Court.

Page 7
|SecBriefing Schedule
Communication ProtocolImportant

No regular ex parte hearings; discovery disputes not allowed ex parte

The Court does not have regular ex parte hearing days or hours. Absent extraordinary circumstances, discovery disputes should not be filed as an ex parte motion.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 9
|SecVIII. Ex Parte Proceedings
Communication ProtocolImportant

Court requires courtesy, professionalism, and civility at all times

The Court insists that all counsel and parties be courteous, professional, and civil at all times to opposing counsel, parties, and the Court, including all court personnel. Professionalism and civility—in court appearances, communications with Chambers, and written submissions—are of paramount importance to the Court. Personal attacks on counsel or opposing parties will not be tolerated.

Email

Direct to: Chambers

Approved Topics
SchedulingEmergenciesStatus InquiriesTechnical Issues
Prohibited
  • Status Inquiries
Page 10
|SecIX. General Decorum