Judge Maureen Duffy-Lewis
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 2 copies • Upon Filing
- 3 copies • On First Day Of Trial
Ex Parte Application, Supporting Documentation
- Chambers Drop Off • Upon Filing
Motion, Opposition, Reply, Supporting Evidence
- Chambers Drop Off • Upon Filing
Moving Papers, Opposition, Reply, Supporting Evidence
- Chambers Drop Off • Upon Filing
Adjournments
- The Department may accept telephonic continuance requests for non-trial-related, non-law-and-motion matters on a case-by-case basis by direct telephone contact.
- The Court Reservation System must be used to continue or cancel law-and-motion matters.
- When the Court continues a law-and-motion hearing on its own motion, filing deadlines remain based on the original hearing date unless the Court agrees otherwise.
- +1 more
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Chambers, Clerk
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Exhibits must be pre-marked with numbers.
Pursuant to L.A. County Court Rules 3.52 and 3.53, the exhibits must be pre-marked using numbers.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be sequentially Bates numbered.
In stances where an exhibit consists of multiple pages, each page must be “Bates” numbered sequentially.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
When there is more than one motion in limine, submit them tabbed and indexed in a three-ring binder, in numerical order and grouped with the corresponding opposition and reply.
Multiple (more than 1) Motions in Limine should be tabbed and indexed and submitted in a three ring binder containing copies of those motions in limine e-filed by each party in numerical order and grouped with corresponding opposition and reply.
Document Filing Requirements20 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
All motions must be reserved through the Court Reservation System on the Court’s website.
All motions must be reserved via Court Reservation System (CRS) on the Court’s website at www.lacourt.ca.gov under “Online Services, Court Reservation System.”
Document Type
Motion
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Counsel must prepare and lodge the joint proposed special verdict form directly in Department 412; it must not be e-filed and must be lodged before the matter is taken under submission.
Joint Proposed Special Verdict Form to be prepared by counsel and lodged directly in Department 412 (no e-filing) before the matter will be taken under submission.
Document Type
Joint Proposed Special Verdict Form
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Each party or counsel must file a trial brief identifying the claims and defenses, major legal issues with supporting authorities, claimed relief and damages calculation, and other information helpful to the Court.
Each party/counsel shall file a trial brief succinctly identifying: 1. The claims and defenses subject to litigation 2. The major legal issues (with supporting points & authorities) 3. The relief claimed and calculation of damages sought 4. Any other information that may assist the Court at Trial.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Each motion in limine must have a caption that concisely identifies the evidence the moving party seeks to preclude.
The caption of each motion-in-limine shall concisely identify the evidence that the moving party seeks to preclude.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
At closing, counsel must have a complete set of full-text proposed instructions with California Civil Jury Instructions edited to insert party names and remove blanks, brackets, and irrelevant material.
At closing, counsel shall then have prepared a complete set of full-text proposed jury instructions, editing all proposed California Civil Jury Instructions and inserting party name(s) and eliminating blanks, brackets and irrelevant material.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The parties must file a joint exhibit list with columns for the exhibit, offering party, authenticity or admissibility stipulation, identification date, and admission date.
The parties/counsel shall prepare and file a joint exhibit list organized with columns identifying: (1) the exhibit, (2) the party offering the exhibit, (3) whether there is a stipulation to authenticity and/or admissibility of the exhibit, (4) the date on which the exhibit was identified in court and (5) the date on which the exhibit was admitted.
Document Type
Joint Exhibit List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
After the case-in-chief, counsel must prepare a complete, unedited set of full-text proposed jury instructions.
After the case-in-chief, counsel to prepare a complete set of full-text proposed jury instructions without edits.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instructions
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The parties must jointly file an alphabetized witness list identifying each witness, expert status, estimated examination lengths, and total testimony hours.
The parties/counsel shall work together to prepare and file a joint list of all witnesses arranged alphabetically by last name. The joint witness list shall identify each witness by full name, specify which witnesses are experts, estimate the length of the direct, cross examination and re- direct examination of each, and include a total of the number of hours for all witness testimony.
Document Type
Joint Witness List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The parties must jointly file a numerically ordered list identifying agreed and contested proposed jury instructions.
The parties/counsel shall jointly prepare and file a list of proposed jury instructions, organized in numerical order, specifying the instructions upon which all sides agree and the contested instructions, if any.
Document Type
Proposed Jury Instruction List
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
The parties must jointly file an agreed general or special verdict form with interrogatories, or separately file proposed forms if they cannot agree.
The parties/counsel shall prepare and jointly file a proposed general verdict form or special verdict form (with interrogatories) acceptable to all sides (L.A. County Rule 3.25(g)(8)). If the parties/counsel cannot agree on a joint verdict form, each party must separately file a proposed verdict form.
Document Type
Proposed Verdict Form
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
Special instructions must be jury-ready and contain only the instruction number, title, and text, without markings identifying the requesting party.
The parties/counsel shall prepare any special instructions in a format ready for submission to the jury with the instruction number, title, and text only (i.e. there should be no boxes or other indication on the printed instruction itself as to the requesting party).
Document Type
Special Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
If exhibits were not exchanged electronically, counsel must provide an exhibit binder to each opposing party.
Counsel must also supply an exhibit binder(s) to each opposing party if not exchanged electronically.
Document Type
Exhibit Binder
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Mandatory
When deposition or former trial testimony will replace live testimony, the parties must meet and confer and jointly file a chart of designations, objections, counter-designations, responses, and the Court’s ruling.
If the parties/counsel intend to use deposition testimony or former trial testimony in lieu of any witnesses’ live testimony, the parties/counsel shall meet & confer and jointly prepare and file a chart for each of the following: (1) the page and line designations of the deposition or former testimony requested for use (2) objections (3) counter-designations (4) and responses thereto and (5) the Court’s ruling.
Document Type
Testimony Designation Chart
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Multiple motions in limine should be numbered consecutively.
Multiple motions-in-limine should be numbered consecutively.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
Jury instructions are settled after the close of evidence and before closing arguments.
Settling of jury instructions will occur after the close of evidence but before closing arguments.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026Important
The current operative complaint, answer, cross-complaint, and any answer to a cross-complaint are to be included.
The operative complaint, answer, cross-complaint and answer to any cross-complaint.
Document Type
Current Operative Pleadings
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
For jury trials, the parties/counsel shall work together to prepare and file a joint written statement of the case for the Court to read to jury (L.A. County Court Rule 3.25(g)(4)). The parties/counsel shall sign the joint statement, and all other joint documents.
Summary: For jury trials, the parties and counsel must prepare and file a joint written statement of the case for the Court to read to the jury, and must sign the statement and all other joint documents.
Document Type
Joint Statement Of Case
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The parties/counsel shall sign the joint exhibit list.
Summary: The joint exhibit list must be signed by the parties or counsel.
Document Type
Joint Exhibit List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
If there are stipulations, the parties shall note that in the respective column. If not, the objecting party shall specify all objections in the respective column.
Summary: The joint exhibit list must record stipulations in the corresponding column or, if there are none, the objecting party must specify all objections there.
Document Type
Joint Exhibit List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Any party/counsel who seeks to elicit testimony from a witness not identified on the witness list may have that witness excluded absent a showing of good cause.
Summary: A witness omitted from the witness list may be excluded unless good cause is shown.
Document Type
Joint Witness List
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All papers must be filed online through the Los Angeles County Superior Court website unless the Court orders otherwise.
All papers to be filed online at the Court’s website at Superior Court of Los Angeles County unless ordered otherwise by the Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | FILINGS
Ex parte applications must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before the hearing, which is heard at 8:30 a.m. through Friday.
Ex parte applications are heard at 8:30 a.m. through Friday. Ex partes are to be e-filed By 10:00 a.m. the court day prior to the actual ex parte hearing date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 12 | EX PARTE APPLICATIONS
Oppositions to ex parte applications may be e-filed or hand-delivered to Department 412 by 8:30 a.m. on the hearing date.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be e-filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Opposition to an ex parte application may be e-filed or hand-delivered to Department 412 by 8:30 a.m. on the hearing date.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be electronically filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 12 | EX PARTE APPLICATIONS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Ex parte applications must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before the hearing.
Ex parte’s are to be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. the court day prior to the actual ex parte hearing date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Oppositions to ex parte applications must be filed by 8:30 a.m. on the hearing date.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be e-filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Deposition transcripts and discovery responses must be lodged with the Court the evening before the witness is scheduled to testify.
Deposition transcripts and discovery responses shall be lodged with the Court the evening prior to scheduled testimony of any particular witness the following day.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 7 | USE OF DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPTS AND DISCOVERY RESPONSES
Ex parte applications are heard at 8:30 a.m. through Friday and must be e-filed by 10:00 a.m. on the prior court day.
Ex parte applications are heard at 8:30 a.m. through Friday. Ex partes are to be e-filed By 10:00 a.m. the court day prior to the actual ex parte hearing date.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 12 | EX PARTE APPLICATIONS
Opposition to an ex parte application must be filed or hand-delivered no later than 8:30 a.m. on the hearing date.
Opposition to ex parte applications may be electronically filed or hand-delivered into Department 412 no later than 8:30 a.m. on the date of hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 12 | EX PARTE APPLICATIONS
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The parties should meet and confer in person at least five court days before the FSC to prepare the joint notebooks, and must serve, sign, and file all joint documents.
At least five (5) court days prior to FSC, the parties should meet & confer in person to exchange discuss and prepare a Joint Trial Notebook and Joint Exhibit Notebook. The parties must serve, sign and file all joint documents.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 4 | FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE
The parties must exchange exhibits at least five calendar days before the FSC.
The exhibits must be exchanged at least five (5) calendar days before the FSC.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 6 | TAB “H” – Joint Exhibit List
When using PowerPoint, counsel must share the slides with opposing counsel before the presentation with enough time to object.
If a PowerPoint is to be used, a copy of the slides must be shared with opposing counsel prior to the presentation leaving sufficient time to object.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 7 | DISPLAY OF DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE
Before reading or showing deposition or discovery material into evidence, the party must identify the relevant deposition page and line or the applicable interrogatory or admission request numbers to the Court and opposing counsel.
Before the reading into evidence of any portion of a deposition, interrogatory or request for admission, the party shall advise the Court and opposing party/counsel of the page and line number of the deposition, or the numbers of the interrogatories or requests for admission to be read or shown to the witness (L.A. County Court Rule 3.158).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 7 | USE OF DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPTS AND DISCOVERY RESPONSES
Filing Fees and Waivers
Jury fees are payable daily in an amount advised by the judicial assistant, and the initial jury-fee deposit should be made before the case management conference.
Fees must be paid on a daily basis. The judicial assistant will advise you how much is owed each day. Initial jury fee deposit should be made prior to the case management conference.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 4 | JURY FEES
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies of ex parte applications and supporting documentation are requested in Department 412 on the day of e-filing.
Courtesy copies of ex parte application and supporting documentation are requested to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the day of e-filing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | EX PARTES
Courtesy copies of moving papers, oppositions, replies, and supporting evidence are requested in Department 412 on the day of e-filing.
A courtesy copy of the moving papers, opposition, reply, and any supporting evidence are requested to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the same day of e-filing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | LAW & MOTION
Courtesy copies of the moving papers, opposition, reply, and supporting evidence are requested in Department 412 on the day of e-filing.
A courtesy copy of the moving papers, opposition, reply, and any supporting Evidence are requested to be lodged directly in Department 412 on the same day of e-fiing.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 11 | LAW & MOTION
On the first day of trial, at least three tabbed, marked, and paginated exhibit binder sets are required for the Court, Judicial Assistant, and witness.
At least three sets of exhibit binders – tabbed, marked and paginated – are required on the first day of Trial: a set for the Court, the Judicial Assistant and for the Witness.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 6 | TAB “H” – Joint Exhibit List
Two completed sets of the joint trial and exhibit notebooks should be brought to the FSC, with the joint trial notebooks tabbed A through K.
Two sets of completed Joint Trial Notebook(s) and Joint Exhibit Notebook(s) should be brought to the FSC with Joint Trial Notebook(s) tabbed A-K as follows:
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 4 | FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE
Filing Bundling Requirements
Multiple motions in limine should be tabbed, indexed, and lodged in a three-ring binder at the FSC, with e-filed motions in numerical order and grouped with their corresponding opposition and reply.
Multiple motions-in-limine should be tabbed and indexed and submitted in a 3-ring binder containing copies of those motions e-filed by each party in numerical order and grouped with corresponding opposition and reply. Three-ring binders to be lodged directly in Department 412 at the FSC.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 4 | TAB “B”: Motions-In-Limine
Multiple motions in limine should be grouped with their corresponding oppositions and replies in numerical order.
Multiple (more than 1) Motions in Limine should be tabbed and indexed and submitted in a three ring binder containing copies of those motions in limine e-filed by each party in numerical order and grouped with corresponding opposition and reply.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 10 | TRIAL DATE
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing motions in limine, parties and counsel must comply with CCP section 1005 notice provisions and L.A. County Court Rule 3.57(a).
Before filing motions-in-limine, the parties/counsel shall comply with the statutory notice provisions of CCP Section 1005 and the motions-in-limine requirements of L.A. County Court Rule 3.57(a).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 4 | TAB “B”: Motions-In-Limine
Before filing the joint exhibit list, the parties must meet and confer about stipulations or objections for each exhibit.
Prior to filing the joint exhibit list, the parties shall meet & confer to determine whether they will stipulate to the authenticity and/or admissibility of each exhibit
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 5 | TAB “H” – Joint Exhibit List
If discovery issues remain unresolved after the informal conference, counsel may reserve the first available hearing date through CRS.
In the event discovery issues are not resolved, counsel may then reserve the first available hearing date on the Court’s Online Reservation System (CRS).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Motions in limine will be heard on the first day of trial or later at the Court’s discretion.
Motions-in-limine will be heard on the first day of trial (or soon thereafter at the discretion of the Court).
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 4 | TAB “B”: Motions-In-Limine
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The Court Reservation System must be used to continue or cancel law-and-motion matters.
CRS must be utilized to continue or cancel any law & motion matters.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | LAW & MOTION
The Department may accept telephonic continuance requests for non-trial-related, non-law-and-motion matters on a case-by-case basis by direct telephone contact.
Department 412 may accept telephonic continuances of non-trial related and non-law & motion matters on a case-by-case basis by contacting Department 412 directly at (213) 633-0158.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | CONTINUANCES
Trial continuances may be addressed only through an ex parte application.
May only be addressed via ex parte.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | TRIAL CONTINUANCES
When the Court continues a law-and-motion hearing on its own motion, filing deadlines remain based on the original hearing date unless the Court agrees otherwise.
If the hearing date on a law & motion matter is continued on the Court’s own motion, adjustment applies ONLY to the actual hearing date on the motion. Filing deadlines for all moving papers (e.g. opposition and reply) remain based on the ORIGINAL hearing date, UNLESS otherwise agreed to by the Court.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | CONTINUANCE OF LAW & MOTION HEARING DATE ON COURT’S OWN MOTION
Chambers Communication Rules
Parties must attend Department 412 informal discovery conferences in person; LA Court Connect is not allowed without prior court leave.
LA Court Connect appearances are not allowed for Department 412 IDC’s without prior leave of court. All interested parties must appear in-person in Department 412.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Before booking an informal discovery conference, the requesting party must obtain three dates when all participants can attend in person and then call the Courtroom Assistant to book one.
Requesting party to first reach-out to all necessary participants and obtain three (3) dates when all can be physically present in Department 38 for the IDC. Requesting party to then contact the Courtroom Assistant (Nancy Del Real) to book one (1) of the three IDC dates at (213) 633-0158.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
The requesting party must call the Courtroom Assistant to book one of the three IDC dates.
Requesting party to then contact the Courtroom Assistant (Nancy Del Real) to book One (1) of the three IDC dates at (213) 633-0158.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 3, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 13 | DISCOVERY
All lead trial counsel must attend the final status conference in person.
All lead trial counsel to be present in-person at the FSC.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 4 | FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE
For qualifying continuance requests, contact Department 412 directly by telephone; acceptance is case-by-case.
Department 412 may accept telephonic continuances of non-trial related and non-law & motion matters on a case-by-case basis by contacting Department 412 directly at (213) 633-0158.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 1 | CONTINUANCES
A law-and-motion date reserved through CRS cannot be adjusted or changed by telephone.
Dates reserved on CRS cannot be adjusted or changed telephonically.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | LAW & MOTION