Judge Lindsey E. Martinez
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
Motion In Limine Binder
Adjournments
- The underlying motion must be filed before applying ex parte to advance a motion hearing date.
- Stipulations requesting a new date should include as many proposed dates as possible.
- Trial dates are firm and continuances are disfavored.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Page & Word Limits1 rule
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Each side is limited to 5 motions in limine, each not exceeding 5 pages. Anything above these limits requires leave of court.
Summary: Each side is limited to 5 motions in limine, each capped at 5 pages; exceeding either limit requires leave of court.
Motion In Limine
5 pages
Document Format Requirements3 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Make sure each page is numbered.
Summary: Each page of every exhibit must be numbered.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Number every page of every exhibit. Attach a numbered exhibit tag to the front of each original exhibit. Notebooks should be 3” thick or less.
Summary: Every exhibit page must be numbered, each original exhibit must have a numbered tag, and exhibit notebooks must be 3 inches thick or less.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Be prepared to supply a Word version.
Summary: Counsel must be prepared to supply jury instructions in Word format.
DOCX
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
File a case management statement. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.725.)
Summary: A case management statement must be filed for case management conferences.
Document Type
Case Management Statement
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Please file a single document containing both the parties’ stipulation and the proposed order. Please leave space for the court to add appropriate terms.
Summary: Stipulations must be filed as a single document containing the stipulation and proposed order, with space left for the court's terms.
Document Type
Stipulation
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Mandatory?
Prepare joint trial documents: “Joint” means all sides agree. Each side does not get to make their own. Witness lists must have time commitments.
Summary: Joint trial documents must be agreed upon by all sides, and witness lists must include time commitments.
Document Type
Joint Trial Documents
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Motions to exclude “any evidence” are often improper. Motions should identify the exhibit number or specific words of testimony to be excluded. (Kelly v. New West Federal Savings (1996) 49 Cal.App.4th 659, 670-671.)
Summary: Motions in limine must identify the exhibit number or specific words of testimony to be excluded; blanket motions to exclude 'any evidence' are often improper.
Document Type
Motion In Limine
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Coordinate motion numbering with opposing counsel. There should be only one Motion #1, one Motion #2, etc.
Summary: Parties must coordinate motion numbering with opposing counsel so there is only one Motion #1, one Motion #2, etc.
Document Type
Motion
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
Proposals shall be legally correct and logical.
Summary: Special verdict form proposals must be legally correct and logical.
Document Type
Special Verdict Form
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If you cannot agree to all instructions, file three sets of instructions: (1) agreed-upon, (2) plaintiff’s proposed, and (3) defendant’s proposed.
Summary: If the parties cannot agree on all jury instructions, they must file three sets: agreed-upon, plaintiff's proposed, and defendant's proposed.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet.Important?
If there is no joint special verdict form, file a general verdict form. (CACI No. VF-5000, 5001.)
Summary: If there is no joint special verdict form, counsel must file a general verdict form (CACI No. VF-5000, 5001).
Document Type
Special Verdict Form
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motion hearing dates must be reserved through the court's online reservation system.
Use the online reservation system to reserve dates.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions
Joint trial documents and motions in limine must be e-filed.
E-file all joint trial documents and motions in limine.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
For bench trials, exhibits must be submitted through the Electronic Evidence Portal.
For bench trials, parties must submit exhibits through the Electronic Evidence Portal.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Electronic Evidence Portal
A notice of lodging must be e-filed when deposition transcripts are delivered to Dept. C24.
e-file a notice of lodging
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Ex parte applications must be filed by 12 pm the court day before the hearing.
File the application by 12 pm the court day before the hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Joint trial documents and motions in limine must be e-filed by 12 pm on the Wednesday before trial.
By 12 pm on the Wednesday before trial (Local Rule 317-B)
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
Jury instructions must be submitted up front, before trial.
Jury instructions are due up front. (Code Civ. Proc., § 607a.)
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | Jury Selection and Instructions
The court usually posts a tentative ruling by 4 pm the day before the motion hearing.
The court usually posts a tentative ruling the day before the hearing by 4 pm.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions
Opposition to an ex parte application should be filed as soon as possible, and the court may decide the matter on the papers without a hearing.
File any opposition as soon as you can. The court may decide the ex parte on the papers without a hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Notice of the ex parte application must be given to all parties by 10 am the court day before the hearing.
Then give notice to all parties by 10 am the court day before the hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
All motions in limine must be exchanged 14 or more days before trial, and parties should attempt informal resolution.
Exchange all motions in limine. Discuss resolving them informally.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
All exhibits must be exchanged 14 or more days before trial.
Exchange all exhibits.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
Filing Fees and Waivers
A court reporter is not provided at motion hearings without a fee waiver.
No court reporter is provided without a fee waiver, available here.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Original, tagged exhibits must be delivered to Dept. C24 at Monday trial call.
Deliver the original, tagged exhibits to Dept. C24 (Local Rule 317-C)
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
A Joint Trial Notebook containing 12 required items must be delivered to Dept. C24 by 12 pm on the Wednesday before trial.
Deliver a Joint Trial Notebook to Dept. C24. It must contain 12 things.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
All deposition transcripts must be delivered to Dept. C24 at Monday trial call.
Deliver all deposition transcripts to Dept. C24 and e-file a notice of lodging
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
The Motion in Limine binder must be delivered to Dept. C24 at Monday trial call.
Deliver the Motion in Limine binder to Dept. C24 (Local Rule 317-C)
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
No courtesy copy is required for ex parte applications.
No courtesy copy is required.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must meet and confer before filing any motion in limine.
Meet and confer before filing any motion in limine.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 3 | Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The underlying motion must be filed before applying ex parte to advance a motion hearing date.
File your motion before applying ex parte to advance a motion hearing date.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Trial dates are firm and continuances are disfavored.
Trial dates are firm, and continuances are disfavored.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 2
Stipulations requesting a new date should include as many proposed dates as possible.
If you are requesting a new date, please include as many proposed dates as possible to aid the court in managing its calendar.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Stipulations
Chambers Communication Rules
The department must be called by 10 am the court day before to reserve an ex parte hearing.
Call the dept. by 10 am the court day before you would like your ex parte to be set to make a reservation.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Counsel must call the clerk if all parties submit to the tentative ruling; otherwise the court may rule differently at the hearing.
Call all parties. If everyone submits to the tentative ruling, call the clerk. Otherwise, the court may make a different ruling at the hearing.
The quote is in the court's document. The summary is not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions