Court Rules
Common questions about Judge Barbara L. Major's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Barbara L. Major?

Courtesy copies are required only when requested by chambers. Courtesy copy required for lodged documents over 30 pages.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Communication with Chambers

Does Judge Barbara L. Major require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Barbara L. Major's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. CMC conducted immediately after ENE if no settlement reached.

View ruleSource: page 4, section III. Case Management Conference

What page or word limits apply to discovery motion before Judge Barbara L. Major?

Judge Barbara L. Major's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Excludes exhibits. Discovery motions and oppositions limited to 15 pages; reply briefs not permitted.

View ruleSource: page 7, section Briefing Schedule

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Barbara L. Major?

Judge Barbara L. Major's formatting rule includes file format zoom and proceedings conducted via zoom unless otherwise specified in order. ENE, MSC, and SC proceedings are primarily conducted via Zoom.

View ruleSource: page 3, section I. Communication with Chambers

What must be included with order filings before Judge Barbara L. Major?

The rule requires meet and confer, initial disclosures, joint discovery plan, lodge ene statements, and conference attendance. Order requires meet and confer, joint discovery plan, initial disclosures, ENE statements, and conference attendance.

View ruleSource: page 2, section II. Early Neutral Evaluation Conference

What must be included with ene msc sc filings before Judge Barbara L. Major?

The rule requires attendance and preparation. All named parties, representatives, insurance adjusters, and principal attorneys must participate in settlement proceedings.

View ruleSource: page 3, section I. Communication with Chambers

How may parties contact Judge Barbara L. Major's chambers?

Parties may contact Judge Barbara L. Major's chambers by letter ecf only as allowed by the rule. Letters and emails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. Communication with Chambers

How does Judge Barbara L. Major handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Barbara L. Major. Process: file redacted on ecf and file unredacted to chambers. Motion to seal must be filed before the judge who will rule on the associated motion.

View ruleSource: page 8, section Sealing Procedure

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Barbara L. Major?

Requests should be made at least 5 court days in advance when this rule applies before Judge Barbara L. Major. The request must include good cause, meet and confer, and motion. Excusal requests require good cause, meet-and-confer, and motion filed 5 court days before proceeding.

View ruleSource: page 3, section I. Communication with Chambers
Complete rules summary for Judge Barbara L. Major

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

Letters and emails to chambers are prohibited unless specifically requested.

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

Telephone calls to chambers are limited to procedural matters only.

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

Only attorneys with case knowledge may contact chambers.

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

Courtesy copy required for lodged documents over 30 pages.

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

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

Notice of Electronic Filing must precede first page of courtesy copy.

ENE is typically scheduled after Answer is filed.

Court issues Notice and Order for ENE/CMC with all requirements.

Order requires meet and confer, joint discovery plan, initial disclosures, ENE statements, and conference attendance.

Scheduling Order sets MSC; additional SCs may be ordered.

Parties must comply with all requirements in orders.

ENE, MSC, and SC proceedings are primarily conducted via Zoom.

Zoom proceedings require appropriate dress and conduct as in-person court proceedings.

All named parties, representatives, insurance adjusters, and principal attorneys must participate in settlement proceedings.

Full settlement authority required for all attendees; limited authority not acceptable.

Excusal requests require good cause, meet-and-confer, and motion filed 5 court days before proceeding.

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

Rescheduling requests require meet-and-confer, motion filed 7 days before, and good cause.

ENE, MSC, and SC proceedings generally allotted up to 3 hours but may extend longer.

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

CMC conducted immediately after ENE if no settlement reached.

Scheduling Order modifications require good cause and judicial consent.

Extension requests require meet-and-confer and joint motion filing.

Joint motion for extension must include declaration detailing compliance efforts, reasons for inability to meet deadline, and prior extensions.

Joint motion with table of dates required for continuance requests.

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