Rule 3.20. Preemption of local rules

Document Format Requirements

• Outside the proceedings excluded by subsection (b), trial courts may not enact or enforce local rules concerning the listed fields, including the form and format of papers, and such rules are void unless permitted or required by statute or the California Rules of Court.

  The rule's wording

  (a) Fields occupied The Judicial Council has preempted all local rules relating to pleadings, demurrers, ex parte applications, motions, discovery, provisional remedies, and the form and format of papers. No trial court, or any division or branch of a trial court, may enact or enforce any local rule concerning these fields. All local rules concerning these fields are null and void unless otherwise permitted or required by a statute or a rule in the California Rules of Court. (b) Application This rule applies to all matters identified in (a) except: (1) Trial and post-trial proceedings including but not limited to motions in limine (see rule 3.1112(f)); (2) Proceedings under Code of Civil Procedure sections 527.6, 527.7, and 527.8; the Family Code; the Probate Code; the Welfare and Institutions Code; and the Penal Code and all other criminal proceedings; (3) Eminent domain proceedings; and (4) Local court rules adopted under the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act.