Court Rules
Judge

Judge Michael P. Vicencia

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Los Angeles Superior Court

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Trial Brief
15 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • Not required
Filters:AllMandatoryImportantFormattingExhibitsJuryMemorandaConferencesBinders/TabsElectronicsPage Limits

Page & Word Limits1 rule

Page Limits

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

The brief may not exceed 15 pages without prior leave of court.

Summary: Trial briefs (bench trials) may not exceed 15 pages without prior leave of court.

Trial Brief

15 pages

Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 4
|SecTrial Briefs (bench trials only)

Document Format Requirements4 rules

Formatting

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

The digital copy for the judge must be in PDF format. All exhibits must be contained within one PDF. The first page of every exhibit must be bookmarked with the number of the exhibit.

Summary: Digital exhibits for the judge must be combined into a single PDF with the first page of every exhibit bookmarked with its exhibit number.

Required Format

PDF

Formatting

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

The parties must provide the clerk with a paper or "hard" copy of every exhibit. No exhibit may be used during trial unless the clerk has a copy. The clerk's exhibits should be in a binder and must be hard tabbed with the exhibit number.

Summary: Paper exhibits for the clerk must be in a binder hard tabbed with exhibit numbers, and no exhibit may be used at trial unless the clerk has a copy.

Layout & Binding
Binding Style
Tabbed Three Ring
Formatting

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

An additional copy must be provided to the court, Word format, on a portable storage device such as a flash drive. The device will be returned after the court has loaded the document.

Summary: An additional Word-format copy of proposed jury instructions must be provided on a flash drive, which will be returned after the court loads the document.

Required Format

DOCX

Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 4
|SecJury Instructions (for jury trials only)
Formatting

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Note?

Department S-26 is equipped with a high definition projector and a ten foot, high -definition screen. This equipment is accessible from counsel table using either an HDMI or VGA cable. The cables are provided by the court. Parties may project exhibits to the court, jury and witnesses by loading all exhibits onto a laptop, tablet or other device. There are several evidence presentation software products on the market that can be used with the court's equipment. A simple PDF may also be used.

Summary: Exhibits may be projected in Department S-26 from a laptop or tablet using the court's projector and provided HDMI/VGA cables, with evidence presentation software or a simple PDF.

Document Filing Requirements9 rules

Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

The list must be in a chart format with columns showing 1) exhibit number, 2) a brief description of the exhibit, 3) the number of pages of the exhibit, 4) whether, after a meaningful meet and confer, the parties stipulate to the exhibit's admissibility, and 5) whether, after a meaningful meet and confer, the parties stipulate to the exhibit's authentication.

Summary: The joint exhibit list must be a chart with columns for exhibit number, brief description, page count, stipulation to admissibility, and stipulation to authentication.

Document Type

Joint Exhibit List

Content & Formatting
Exhibit List
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

The court requires two copies of exhibits; one paper or "hard" copy for marking by the clerk and a digital copy for the judge. The digital copy must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by either e-filing or portable storage device such as a flash drive. The paper copy must be provided to the clerk on the first day set for trial.

Summary: Exhibits require two copies: a paper copy for the clerk due the first day set for trial and a digital copy for the judge due at or prior to the FSC by e-filing or flash drive.

Document Type

Exhibits

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint list of CACI and special jury instructions. The list must be in a chart format with columns showing 1) the number of the instruction, 2) a brief description of the instruction, 3) the party or parties requesting the

Summary: For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC and develop a single joint list of CACI and special jury instructions in chart format.

Document Type

Jury Instruction List

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 3
|SecList of Jury Instructions (for jury trials only)
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint witness list. The list must be in a chart format with columns showing 1) The witness' name, 2) the party initially calling the witness, 3) a brief description of the witness' expected testimony, 4) whether the witness requires an interpreter and, if so, the language, 5) a considered and realistic time estimate of direct-examination, 6) a considered and realistic time estimate of cross-examination.

Summary: Parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC and develop a single joint witness list in chart format with six required columns (name, calling party, testimony description, interpreter needs, and direct/cross-examination time estimates).

Document Type

Witness List

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single set of jury instructions to be read to the jury. All jury instructions must be edited. The party requesting the instructions should edit the instruction. Instructions requested by both parties should be edited by the party demanding a jury trial. If both parties are demanding a jury trial, plaintiff should edit instructions requested by both parties.

Summary: For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC to develop a single set of edited jury instructions, with editing responsibility assigned to the requesting party (or plaintiff if both parties demand a jury trial).

Document Type

Jury Instructions

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 4
|SecJury Instructions (for jury trials only)
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

Compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1055 is mandatory.

Summary: Compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1055 is mandatory for proposed jury instructions.

Document Type

Jury Instructions

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 4
|SecJury Instructions (for jury trials only)
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?

Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single special verdict form for submission to the jury. Plaintiff and any cross-complainants are to develop the first draft of those sections of the special verdict form for which they have the burden of proof, prior to the meet and confer. Defendants and any cross-defendants are to develop the first draft of those sections of the special verdict form for which they have the burden of proof, prior to the meet and confer.

Summary: For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC to develop a single special verdict form, with each side drafting the sections for which it bears the burden of proof before the meet and confer.

Document Type

Special Verdict Form

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 4
|SecSpecial Verdict (for jury trials only)
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?

All parties are encouraged to submit trial briefs on the first day of trial. The brief should address the factual and legal support for all causes of action and defenses each party intends to pursue at trial. Evidence should not be attached, but reference to digital exhibits with hyperlinks, is encouraged.

Summary: Trial briefs (bench trials) are encouraged on the first day of trial, should address the factual and legal support for all causes of action and defenses, and must not attach evidence (hyperlinked digital exhibit references are encouraged).

Document Type

Trial Brief

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Ca Lasc Courtroom LB S26 · Jun 2026 · p. 4
|SecTrial Briefs (bench trials only)
Filing Requirements

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Note?

The list should avoid duplication.

Summary: The joint exhibit list should avoid duplicative exhibits.

Document Type

Joint Exhibit List

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

All documents filed in Department S26 must be submitted by mandatory electronic filing.

All documents: Mandatory E-Filing

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

Trial exhibits are the exception to mandatory e-filing and must be delivered to the courtroom rather than e-filed.

Trial Exhibits: Received in Courtroom

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

The final joint exhibit list must be provided to the court at or prior to the final status conference by e-filing.

The final list must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by e-filing.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 2 | Exhibit List

The final special verdict form must be e-filed at or prior to the final status conference (jury trials only).

The final version of the special verdict must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by e-filing.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 4 | Special Verdict (for jury trials only)

Proposed jury instructions must be e-filed at or prior to the final status conference (jury trials only).

The proposed instructions must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by e-filing.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 4 | Jury Instructions (for jury trials only)

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

All parties must hold a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint exhibit list at least 10 days before the final status conference.

Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint exhibit list.

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 2 | Exhibit List

Courtesy Copy Requirements

No courtesy copies are required for any filings in this department.

Courtesy Copies: None required

The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.

Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

Documents of departments with no single judge listed

About Judge Michael P. Vicencia

Judge Michael P. Vicencia is a judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, the state trial court serving Los Angeles County. The court handles trial matters for the county.

Judge Vicencia's procedures are published through the court's general rules.

Common questions about Judge Michael P. Vicencia's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Michael P. Vicencia?

The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Michael P. Vicencia. No courtesy copies are required for any filings in this department.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

What page or word limits apply to trial brief before Judge Michael P. Vicencia?

Judge Michael P. Vicencia's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Trial briefs (bench trials) may not exceed 15 pages without prior leave of court.

View ruleSource: page 4, section Trial Briefs (bench trials only)

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Michael P. Vicencia?

Judge Michael P. Vicencia's formatting rule includes file format PDF, all exhibits must be contained within one pdf, the first page of every exhibit must be bookmarked with the number of the exhibit, and combine files using adobe acrobat ('combine supported files in acrobat'); if adobe acrobat is unavailable, check with opposing counsel or the court clerk. Digital exhibits for the judge must be combined into a single PDF with the first page of every exhibit bookmarked with its exhibit number.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Exhibit Presentation

What must be included with joint exhibit list filings before Judge Michael P. Vicencia?

The rule requires exhibit list. The joint exhibit list must be a chart with columns for exhibit number, brief description, page count, stipulation to admissibility, and stipulation to authentication.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Exhibit List

What must be included with exhibits filings before Judge Michael P. Vicencia?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Exhibits require two copies: a paper copy for the clerk due the first day set for trial and a digital copy for the judge due at or prior to the FSC by e-filing or flash drive.

View ruleSource: page 3, section Exhibit Presentation

Is electronic filing required before Judge Michael P. Vicencia?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. All documents filed in Department S26 must be submitted by mandatory electronic filing.

View ruleSource: page 1, section DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)

What filing deadlines does Judge Michael P. Vicencia set?

All parties must hold a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint exhibit list at least 10 days before the final status conference.

View ruleSource: page 2, section Exhibit List
Complete rules summary for Judge Michael P. Vicencia

All documents filed in Department S26 must be submitted by mandatory electronic filing.

No courtesy copies are required for any filings in this department.

Trial exhibits are the exception to mandatory e-filing and must be delivered to the courtroom rather than e-filed.

All parties must hold a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint exhibit list at least 10 days before the final status conference.

The joint exhibit list must be a chart with columns for exhibit number, brief description, page count, stipulation to admissibility, and stipulation to authentication.

The joint exhibit list should avoid duplicative exhibits.

The final joint exhibit list must be provided to the court at or prior to the final status conference by e-filing.

Exhibits may be projected in Department S-26 from a laptop or tablet using the court's projector and provided HDMI/VGA cables, with evidence presentation software or a simple PDF.

Exhibits require two copies: a paper copy for the clerk due the first day set for trial and a digital copy for the judge due at or prior to the FSC by e-filing or flash drive.

Digital exhibits for the judge must be combined into a single PDF with the first page of every exhibit bookmarked with its exhibit number.

Paper exhibits for the clerk must be in a binder hard tabbed with exhibit numbers, and no exhibit may be used at trial unless the clerk has a copy.

Parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC and develop a single joint witness list in chart format with six required columns (name, calling party, testimony description, interpreter needs, and direct/cross-examination time estimates).

For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC and develop a single joint list of CACI and special jury instructions in chart format.

For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC to develop a single set of edited jury instructions, with editing responsibility assigned to the requesting party (or plaintiff if both parties demand a jury trial).

Compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1055 is mandatory for proposed jury instructions.

Proposed jury instructions must be e-filed at or prior to the final status conference (jury trials only).

An additional Word-format copy of proposed jury instructions must be provided on a flash drive, which will be returned after the court loads the document.

For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC to develop a single special verdict form, with each side drafting the sections for which it bears the burden of proof before the meet and confer.

The final special verdict form must be e-filed at or prior to the final status conference (jury trials only).

Trial briefs (bench trials) are encouraged on the first day of trial, should address the factual and legal support for all causes of action and defenses, and must not attach evidence (hyperlinked digital exhibit references are encouraged).

Trial briefs (bench trials) may not exceed 15 pages without prior leave of court.

More Judges in Los Angeles Superior Court

Michelle Lim
Judge
A. Ashley Tabaddor
Judge
Alan B. Honeycutt
Judge
Alexander C. D. Giza
Judge
Alison Mackenzie
Judge
Allison L. Westfahl Kong
Judge
Andrew E. Cooper
Judge
Andrew Esbenshade
Judge