Judge Harriet Bernick
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Email • Within 24 Hours
Exhibits
- 4 copies • Hand Delivery • At Least 24 Hours Before Hearing
Communication
Phone
Phone
Chambers
Chambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Personal electronics are not accepted into evidence; material captured on them must be submitted as a hard-copy exhibit or saved to a thumb drive with four copies made.
The Court will not accept personal electronics (e.g. cell phone, digital cameras, or personal computers) into evidence. Anything that is captured on a personal electronic device must be printed in hard copy and submitted to the Court as an exhibit or four copies must be made and saved to a thumb drive.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
When applicable, provide the proposed order in WORD format and submit orders in final, non-strikethrough format.
Provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format. Do not use the heading "proposed" in your order. Do not use strikethrough format for the Orders - they should be in final format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
A motion requesting expedited consideration must identify that request in its heading and state the other side’s position.
If you are filing a Motion and requesting expedited consideration, please include that information in the heading of your Motion. In addition, communicate with the other side and place their position in your Motion.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Motions should state all parties’ positions and, if a party could not be reached, the number, dates, and times of contact attempts and the methods used.
Please provide the position of all parties in your Motion. If you could not get ahold of a party please indicate how many times you tried to reach them and the dates and times of the contact and the method used for the contact.
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
When applicable, submit orders in WORD format without a “proposed” heading or strikethrough, and in final form.
Provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format. Do not use the heading "proposed" in your order. Do not use strikethrough format for the Orders - they should be in final format.
Document Type
Proposed Order
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Before submitting exhibits, parties must bates-stamp their records, with Plaintiff using numbers 1–499 and Defendant using 500–1000.
Prior to submitting any exhibits, the parties are required to bate stamp their records. The Plaintiff is to use numbers 1-499, and the Defendant should use the numbers 500-1000.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
After bates-stamping exhibits, parties should submit them according to the Clerk of Court website instructions.
After the exhibits are bates stamped, Parties should submit their exhibits according to the instructions on the Clerk of Court website at clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov.
Document Type
Exhibits
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Confer with the opposing party about stipulating to exhibits before trial.
Please confer with the opposing party regarding stipulating to exhibits prior to the trial.
Document Type
Exhibits
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
E-file all pleadings, and email the judicial assistant a copy of documents filed within 24 hours of a hearing.
E-file all pleadings and if you are filing the documents within 24 hours of the hearing, please email the judicial assistant a copy of the documents you filed.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Courtesy Copy Requirements
If documents are filed within 24 hours of a hearing, email the judicial assistant a copy.
E-file all pleadings and if you are filing the documents within 24 hours of the hearing, please email the judicial assistant a copy of the documents you filed.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Provide four exhibit copies in person to the Judicial Assistant at least 24 hours before trial or hearing.
Please provide four (4) copies of the exhibits in person to the Judicial Assistant at least 24 hours prior to the start of the trial/hearing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Joint Pre-Trial Memo and/or Conference; Exhibits and Objections
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
The parties are expected to participate in some form of alternative dispute resolution before the court schedules trial.
It is expected that the parties will participate in some form of alternative dispute resolution prior to the court scheduling trial.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Other Pre-trial Practice Guidelines or Comments
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Before seeking a continuance, contact the other party to determine whether the parties can file a stipulation.
If you need a continuance, contact the other party to see if you can file a Stipulation.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Other Pre-trial Practice Guidelines or Comments
Chambers Communication Rules
For trouble logging into Teams, call staff or the provided telephone number and use the participant code.
If you are having trouble logging into TEAMS, please call my staff or call this number: +1 (917) 781-4590. Participant Code: 248 804 623#.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations
Questions may be directed to judicial staff by email or phone; wait 24 hours before a second email unless there is an emergency.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out by email to JUC09@jbazmc.maricopa.gov or call 602-372-0778. Please wait 24 hours before emailing judicial staff a second time unless there is an emergency.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations
Notify the court before the hearing if technical difficulties prevent virtual appearance with the camera on.
Please let the court know ahead of the hearing if you are having technical difficulties and cannot appear virtually with your camera on.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Courtroom Etiquette
Counsel who will be late to a hearing because of another matter should email staff.
If counsel is going to be late to a hearing because they are held up in another matter, please send my staff an email letting us know this.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.
Page 1 | Other Courtroom Policies and Recommendations