Judge Layne H. Melzer
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Ex Parte Motions
- 1 copy • Hand Delivery • By 12 Pm Day Before Hearing
Joint Trial Notebook
- Five Days Before Pretrial Conference
Opposition
- Upon Filing
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Other
Court
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Counsel should use pleading paper, not Judicial Council Form CM-110, and should include in the statement a discussion of the applicable subjects set forth in California Rules of Court 3.727 and 3.750(b).
Summary: CMC statements and status conference reports must use pleading paper.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Two (2) complete sets of exhibits in 3-ring binders, with the exhibit list identifying each such exhibit, and with number tabs separating each exhibit, shall be submitted to the Court (one for the Court and one for the witness dock). Each tab should bear the corresponding exhibit number. Every exhibit in the witness copy must have an exhibit tag filled out and attached (see attached form).
Summary: Exhibits must be submitted in two sets in 3-ring binders with number tabs and exhibit tags.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
No later than the pretrial conference, the Parties shall also provide the Court with a separately indexed joint compendium in a notebook format containing an index or table identifying all agreed upon and contested instructions or verdict forms, with all instructions and verdict forms included and separately tabbed to indicate proponent/opponent (e.g., Tab 1 consists of jointly requested instructions, Tab 2 consists of instructions requested by Plaintiff but disputed by Defendant, Tab 3 consists of instructions requested by Defendant but disputed by Plaintiff, Tab 4 consists of the Parties’ competing verdict forms).
Summary: Joint compendium must be in notebook format with separate tabs for each category.
Document Filing Requirements13 rules
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026Important
The Case Management Statement must use pleading paper rather than Judicial Council Form CM-110 and include a discussion of the subjects set forth in CRC Rule 3.727.
Counsel should use pleading paper rather than Judicial Council Form CM-110 but should include in the Statement a discussion of the applicable subjects set forth in CRC Rule 3.727.
Document Type
Case Management Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All Parties must comply with CRC 3.1200 through 3.1207, including but not limited to making an 'affirmative factual showing in a declaration containing competent testimony based on personal knowledge of irreparable harm, immediate danger, or any other statutory basis for granting relief ex parte.' CRC 3.1202 (c). Papers must also demonstrate appropriate notice and state whether the application will be opposed.
Summary: Ex parte applications must include declaration showing irreparable harm, demonstrate notice, and state whether opposed.
Document Type
Ex Parte Application
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
The court requires that counsel comply fully with Local Rule 317.
Summary: Counsel must comply fully with OCSC Local Rule 317 for trial documents.
Document Type
Trial Documents
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
a proposed Order
Summary: Ex parte applicants must submit a proposed order.
Document Type
Ex Parte Application
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
a showing of the irreparable harm that will occur if the relief requested is not granted
Summary: Ex parte applicants must show the irreparable harm that will occur if the requested relief is not granted.
Document Type
Ex Parte Application
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
All parties must strictly comply with Orange County Local Rule 314A "Register of Actions References for Related Documents."
Summary: All parties must strictly comply with Orange County Local Rule 314A regarding Register of Actions references for related documents.
Document Type
Motion
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
should include in the statement a discussion of the applicable subjects set forth in California Rules of Court 3.727 and 3.750(b).
Summary: CMC statement must discuss subjects in CRC 3.727 and 3.750(b).
Document Type
Initial Case Management Conference Statement
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Each motion in limine must be numbered on the face page of the motion. The caption (or notice) of each motion in limine shall concisely identify the subject of the motion and designate the specific evidence or argument sought to be excluded.
Summary: Motions in limine must be numbered and have a caption identifying the subject and specific evidence.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
Video tape or audio tape evidence may not be introduced unless accompanied by a separately marked audio transcript and/or “still picture” representation of what the proponent seeks to present as evidence.
Summary: Video or audio evidence must be accompanied by a transcript or still picture.
Document Type
Video Audio Evidence
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Important?
No later than the pretrial conference, the Parties shall also provide the Court with a separately indexed joint compendium in a notebook format containing an index or table identifying all agreed upon and contested instructions or verdict forms, with all instructions and verdict forms included and separately tabbed to indicate proponent/opponent (e.g., Tab 1 consists of jointly requested instructions, Tab 2 consists of instructions requested by Plaintiff but disputed by Defendant, Tab 3 consists of instructions requested by Defendant but disputed by Plaintiff, Tab 4 consists of the Parties’ competing verdict forms).
Summary: Parties must provide a joint compendium with an index, all instructions/verdict forms, and tabbed sections by the pretrial conference.
Document Type
Joint Compendium
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Status conference reports shall be filed (using pleading paper) at least 5 court days before the scheduled conference/hearing and should focus on the latest developments since the last conference/hearing.
Summary: Status conference reports must focus on latest developments since last hearing.
Document Type
Status Conference Report
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Parties are required to submit a joint witness list (see attached form).
Summary: Parties must submit a joint witness list.
Document Type
Joint Witness List
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Note?
The parties are encouraged to meet and confer and file a joint statement.
Summary: Parties are encouraged, but not required, to meet and confer and file a joint Case Management Statement.
Document Type
Case Management Statement
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Ex parte applications must be filed electronically.
Ex parte applications shall be filed electronically
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 2 | G. Ex Parte
Word versions of contested instructions/verdict forms must be emailed to the clerk as directed at the pretrial conference.
Word editable versions of any contested instruction or verdict form must also be emailed to the clerk as directed at the pretrial conference.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 6 | G. Jury Instructions
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The initial Case Management Statement must be filed at least 5 court days before the Case Management Conference.
The initial Case Management Statement should be filed at least 5 court days before the CMC.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | WEEKLY DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE
Joint status conference reports must be filed 5 court days before the hearing unless the court orders otherwise.
Joint status conference reports are required 5 court days before the hearing, unless otherwise ordered.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | WEEKLY DEPARTMENT SCHEDULE
Ex parte applications must be filed and courtesy copy delivered by 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing.
Ex parte applications shall be filed electronically, along with a courtesy copy delivered to the courtroom by 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 2 | G. Ex Parte
OCLR 317 items must be filed 5 days before pretrial conference; motions in limine follow Code.
All items required to be filed under OCLR 317 shall likewise be filed five (5) days before the pretrial conference other than motions in limine which must be filed and served per the Code (See CCP §1005(b)) for hearing at the pretrial conference.
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Page 3 | Trial Scheduling and Pretrial Compliance
Jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted to the clerk 5 days before the pretrial conference.
All proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted to the clerk as part of the 'Joint Trial Notebook' per OCLR 317 five (5) days prior to the pretrial conference.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 5 | G. Jury Instructions
Joint compendium must be provided no later than the pretrial conference.
No later than the pretrial conference, the Parties shall also provide the Court with a separately indexed joint compendium in a notebook format containing an index or table identifying all agreed upon and contested instructions or verdict forms, with all instructions and verdict forms included and separately tabbed to indicate proponent/opponent (e.g., Tab 1 consists of jointly requested instructions, Tab 2 consists of instructions requested by Plaintiff but disputed by Defendant, Tab 3 consists of instructions requested by Defendant but disputed by Plaintiff, Tab 4 consists of the Parties’ competing verdict forms).
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 5 | G. Jury Instructions
Ex parte applicant's papers must be filed by 3:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing.
The applicant's papers must be filed by 3:00 p.m. on the court day before the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | EX PARTE PROCEDURES
Annotated deposition transcript must be submitted to the court before the pretrial conference.
Once both sides have annotated the transcript with their designations and counter-designations and objections to the other side’s designations, the transcript shall be submitted to the court prior to the pretrial conference.
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Page 5 | D. Depositions
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Ex parte applicants must give notice to all other parties by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.
Applicants must be sure they comply with the requirements of (a) notice to all other parties by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | EX PARTE PROCEDURES
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Ex parte applications require a courtesy copy delivered to the courtroom by 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing.
Ex parte applications shall be filed electronically, along with a courtesy copy delivered to the courtroom by 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing.
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Page 2 | G. Ex Parte
Joint Trial Notebook with courtesy copies must be delivered 5 days before pretrial conference.
The Joint Trial Notebook required by OCLR 317 containing courtesy copies of all trial compliance materials must be received by the Department five (5) days before the scheduled pretrial conference.
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Page 3 | Trial Scheduling and Pretrial Compliance
Courtesy copies of opposition papers to an ex parte application should be submitted before or brought to the hearing.
Courtesy copies of any opposition papers should be either submitted before or brought to the hearing.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | EX PARTE PROCEDURES
Filing Bundling Requirements
Jury instructions and verdict forms must be bundled and submitted as part of the Joint Trial Notebook.
All proposed jury instructions and verdict forms must be submitted to the clerk as part of the 'Joint Trial Notebook' per OCLR 317 five (5) days prior to the pretrial conference.
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Page 5 | G. Jury Instructions
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
OCLR 317 Issue Conference must occur before motions in limine deadline, no later than 16 court days before pretrial conference.
The OCLR 317 Issue Conference shall take place prior to the deadline to file motions in limine (i.e., no later than 16 court days before the pretrial conference).
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Page 3 | Trial Scheduling and Pretrial Compliance
Chambers Communication Rules
The clerk in Department CX102 must be notified of the ex parte filing by 12:00 noon on the court day before the hearing.
The clerk in Department CX102 must be notified of the filing of the Ex Parte application by 12:00 noon on the court day before the hearing.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | EX PARTE PROCEDURES
Counsel intending to submit on a tentative ruling should telephone the court clerk and notify opposing counsel.
If counsel intends to submit on the tentative ruling, they should telephone the court clerk and notify opposing counsel.
Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION PROCEDURES
Parties must advise the Court in advance and obtain permission before using video, PowerPoint, demonstratives, or audio recordings.
If any Party plans to use a video exhibit, Power Point, demonstrative, videotaped depositions (see also below) or audio recording, the Court must be advised in advance. Court permission is required before such demonstratives or presentations may be used.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 4 | Exhibits/Demonstratives
Parties opposing an ex parte application should telephone the clerk in Department CX102 at (657) 622-5302 and file opposition papers as soon as feasible.
If any party intends to oppose the Ex Parte application, they should telephone the clerk in Department CX102 at (657) 622-5302 and file any opposition papers as soon as is feasible.
We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it. · Civil cases
Page 3 | EX PARTE PROCEDURES