Judge Victor Hwang
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Before Hearing
Motion, Opposition
- Upon Filing
Binding: Tabbed Three Ring
Additional Mils
Court-wideAppeal Record Designation
Court-wide- 1 copy • Within 2 Court Days
Adjournments
- A party may request an extension of a trial-brief page limit by submitting a declaration to the trial judge or Supervising Asbestos Judge explaining good cause.
Request must include
Communication
Clerk8 contacts
- 415-551-3768
- department613complexlit@sftc.org
- department403@sftc.org
- department404@sftc.org
- department405@sftc.org
- sfefiling@sftc.org
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- complexlit@sftc.org
- Dept 403: (415) 551-3741; Dept 404: (415) 551-3744
Other Contacts8 contacts
- adrcoordinator@sftc.org
- contestasbestostr@sftc.org
- contestdept301tr@sftc.org
- contestdept302tr@sftc.org
- default-judgments@sftc.org
- department610@sftc.org
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- department505@sftc.org
- 415-551-3702
Chambers2 contacts
- asbestosdepartment@sftc.org
- (415) 551-4000
Page & Word Limits7 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The declaration supporting a joint motion to exclude an expert on the same arguments or legal theories is limited to three pages.
However, should the Defendants seek to exclude the same expert on the same arguments or the same legal theories in an Evid. Code § 402 hearing, the Defendants must submit the request under a joint motion with only one declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages.
Declaration Supporting Joint Expert Motion
3 pages
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each side initially may file five joint motions in limine, with each motion limited to five pages excluding exhibits.
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion, excluding exhibits.
Joint Motion In Limine
5 pages
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Plaintiff's trial brief is limited to ten pages, with no exhibits permitted.
Plaintiff's trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted.
Plaintiff Trial Brief
10 pages
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A declaration requesting additional motions in limine on a showing of good cause must not exceed three pages.
If a party has good cause for additional MILs, that party may request additional MILs by submitting a declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages, to the trial judge or the Supervising Asbestos Judge with a brief description of the evidence sought to be precluded or limited and an explanation as to why the motion is required.
Declaration Requesting Additional Motions In Limine
3 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Mandatory?
Defendant's trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.
Summary: Defendant's trial brief is limited to five pages, with no exhibits permitted.
Defendant Trial Brief
5 pages
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
This five motion limit does not include motions pertaining to experts such as motions under Evid. Code §§402, 403.
Summary: The initial five-motion limit does not apply to expert-related motions, including motions under Evidence Code sections 402 and 403.
Expert Motion In Limine
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.Important?
Declaration should not exceed three (3) pages.
Summary: A supporting declaration for a motion in limine should not exceed three pages.
Declaration Supporting Motion In Limine
3 pages
Document Format Requirements1 rule
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Jurors may not write on the back of questionnaire pages and must use the designated blank space on the last page for additional answers.
Please do not write on the back of any page. If you need additional space for your answers, use the blank space provided on the last page of the questionnaire.
Document Filing Requirements9 rules
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
All Asbestos filings must be labeled accordingly.
Pursuant to the Local Rules, parties to label all Asbestos filings accordingly.
Document Type
Asbestos Filing
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
Each joint motion in limine must address only one issue and may not include subparts presenting additional issues.
However, the joint MILs are restricted to one issue and cannot have subparts arguing additional issues.
Document Type
Joint Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
When defendants seek to exclude the same expert on previously raised arguments or legal theories in an Evidence Code section 402 hearing, they must use a joint motion supported by only one declaration of no more than three pages.
However, should the Defendants seek to exclude the same expert on the same arguments or the same legal theories in an Evid. Code § 402 hearing, the Defendants must submit the request under a joint motion with only one declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages.
Document Type
Joint Motion To Exclude Expert
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The parties must submit witness and exhibit lists to the trial department within two court days after assignment of the case to a trial judge.
No later than two (2) court days after the date of the assignment of a case to a trial judge, the parties shall submit witness lists and exhibit lists to the trial department.
Document Type
Witness And Exhibit Lists
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Mandatory
The juror questionnaire must include a declaration under penalty of perjury that the responses and attached-sheet answers are true and correct, together with a date and signature.
I, _________________________, declare under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing responses I have given to this juror questionnaire, and on any attached sheets, are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Signed in San Francisco, California, on (DATE) (SIGNATURE)
Document Type
Juror Questionnaire
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A party with good cause may request additional motions in limine by submitting a declaration of no more than three pages describing the evidence to be precluded or limited and explaining why the motion is necessary.
If a party has good cause for additional MILs, that party may request additional MILs by submitting a declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages, to the trial judge or the Supervising Asbestos Judge with a brief description of the evidence sought to be precluded or limited and an explanation as to why the motion is required.
Document Type
Declaration Requesting Additional Motions In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
All defendants are deemed to join every joint defense motion in limine unless a defendant expressly states otherwise.
All joint defense MILs are deemed joined by all defendants unless a defendant specifically indicates otherwise.
Document Type
Joint Defense Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
Only one declaration is required per motion in limine, and additional declarations supporting the same arguments should not be submitted.
Furthermore only one declaration per MIL is required to support the arguments. Therefore no additional declarations should be submitted in support of the same arguments.
Document Type
Declaration Supporting Motion In Limine
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026Important
A trial brief may not be submitted as another form of a motion in limine.
The trial brief may not be another form of a Motion in Limine.
Document Type
Trial Brief
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Oppositions to motions in limine must be filed within two court days after the motions are filed and served.
Oppositions to the MILs are due two (2) court days after the MILs are filed and served.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
The initial joint defense and plaintiffs' motions in limine must be filed no later than two court days after assignment to a trial judge.
The initial joint defense MILs and plaintiffs' MILs shall be filed and served on all parties no later than two (2) court days after assignment of the case to a trial judge, or within two (2) court days
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Upon receiving an expert-deposition request, a party must provide deposition dates and times within five court days.
A party who receives a request for the depositions of its experts must provide dates and times for those depositions within five (5) court days of receipt of the request.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | EXPERTS
Page-and-line designations of former testimony must be served on all parties no later than two court days after assignment of the case to a trial judge.
No later than two (2) court days after the date of the assignment of a case to a trial judge, page:line designations of the former testimony shall be served on all parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 5 | DESIGNATIONS OF FORMER TESTIMONY
At least seven calendar days before the initial trial, the parties must serve a list of former testimony to be used at trial, with specified witness, case, date, and reporter-contact information, excluding cross-examination transcripts.
No later than seven (7) calendar days before the initial trial date, the parties shall serve on all parties a list of all former testimony that will be used at trial, except transcripts to be used for cross-examination. The list shall include the name of the witness (first and last name), the caption of the case in which the testimony was taken, the date(s) of the deposition or trial testimony, and the court reporter's contact information, if known.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 5 | DESIGNATIONS OF FORMER TESTIMONY
Former testimony may not be used at trial without at least 48 hours' advance notice to all parties.
No former testimony shall be used at trial without a minimum of 48 hours advance notice to all parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 6 | DESIGNATIONS OF FORMER TESTIMONY
A request to depose another party's experts must be in writing and copied to every party.
A request for another party's experts' depositions must be made in writing and copied to all parties.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | EXPERTS
Expert-information exchange demands are deemed served, and expert designations must be served under California Code of Civil Procedure section 2034.260 and following.
Demands for exchange of expert information are deemed served. Expert designations shall be served pursuant to Civ. Proc. Code §2034.260, et seq.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 3 | EXPERTS
The initial joint defense and plaintiffs' motions in limine must be served on all parties within two court days after assignment to a trial judge.
The initial joint defense MILs and plaintiffs' MILs shall be filed and served on all parties no later than two (2) court days after assignment of the case to a trial judge, or within two (2) court days
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Any counter-designations or objections to former-testimony page-and-line designations must be served on all parties within three court days after receipt of the designations.
Within three (3) court days of the receipt of said page:line designations, any counter designations or objections shall be served on all parties.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 5 | DESIGNATIONS OF FORMER TESTIMONY
A party lacking a transcript may request it from the designating party, who must provide it within two calendar days after the request.
If a party in good faith does not possess the transcript, the party may request the transcript from the designating party who shall provide it within two (2) calendar days of the request.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 5 | DESIGNATIONS OF FORMER TESTIMONY
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Courtesy copies must be provided to the court before the hearing for asbestos law and motion matters and trial-date motions under Local Rule 2.7.
Asbestos law and motion matters and motions relating to trial dates are heard Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in department 502. Parties may select their own hearing date. No reservation is needed unless a court order is in place stating otherwise. Provide proper notice. Courtesy copies must be provided to the court prior to the hearing pursuant to Local Rule 2.7.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Law and Motion
Courtesy copies must be provided to the court before the hearing for asbestos discovery motions under Local Rule 2.7.
Asbestos discovery motions are heard Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in department 502. Prior to filing a discovery motion you must contact the court’s lead clerk to make a reservation. To schedule an informal discovery meeting or to reserve a motion hearing date, please call (415) 551-3768. Provide proper notice. Courtesy copies must be provided to the court prior to the hearing pursuant to Local Rule 2.7.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Discovery
Courtesy copies must be submitted to the court before the hearing for asbestos ex parte matters under Local Rule 2.7.
Asbestos ex parte hearings are held Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. by CourtCall Only. No reservation is needed. Parties appearing via CourtCall must provide proper notice, with courtesy copies submitted to the court prior to the hearing pursuant to Local Rule 2.7. Note: Please request with CourtCall to be heard on the Asbestos - Room 345 Ex Parte Hearing calendar.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte Hearings
Each side must provide the trial department one indexed, tabbed binder containing courtesy copies of its initial joint defense MILs or plaintiffs’ MILs, accompanied by the respective Oppositions.
Courtesy copies of the initial joint defense MILs and plaintiffs' MILs and Oppositions must be provided to the trial department with each side submitting a single submission of the MILs accompanied by the respective Oppositions in an indexed, tabbed binder.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
A party granted additional motions in limine must submit them with the respective oppositions to the trial department in a single indexed, tabbed binder.
Any party whose request for additional MILs has been granted shall submit those MILs with the respective Oppositions in a single submission to the trial department in an indexed, tabbed binder.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases
Page 3 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Before filing any motion in limine, the parties must meet and confer on all such motions to attempt to reach stipulations.
Before any motions in limine (“MIL”) are filed with the Court, the parties are ordered to meet and confer on all MILs to determine if stipulations can be reached.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 1 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
If the Supervising Asbestos Judge or trial judge allows additional motions in limine, a briefing schedule will then be ordered.
Should additional MILs be allowed by either the Supervising Asbestos Judge or the trial judge, a briefing schedule will be ordered at that time.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
A party whose request for additional motions in limine is denied may still object at trial when the evidence is presented because the denial is not a merits ruling.
If the right to bring additional MILs is denied, any party may still make trial objections at the time the evidence is proffered because this is not deemed a ruling on the merits.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 2 | MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
A party may request an extension of a trial-brief page limit by submitting a declaration to the trial judge or Supervising Asbestos Judge explaining good cause.
If a party has good cause to exceed the page limit, that party may request said leave by submitting a declaration to the trial judge or the Supervising Asbestos Judge with a brief description as to the good cause basis for relief.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases
Page 6 | TRIAL BRIEF
Chambers Communication Rules
Contact the clerk at 415-551-3768 to obtain the date for an Asbestos Default Hearing.
Asbestos Default Hearings (In-person or Zoom): • Contact Clerk for date at 415-551-3768.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases · Court notice
Page 2 | Asbestos CMC, Default Hearings, Minor’s Comp and Apportionment, and Informal Discovery Conference
Contact the clerk at 415-551-3768 to obtain the date for an Asbestos Minor’s Comp and Apportionment hearing.
Asbestos Minor’s Comp and Apportionment (In-person or Zoom): • Contact Clerk for date at 415-551-3768.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 1, 2026 · Civil cases · Court notice
Page 2 | Asbestos CMC, Default Hearings, Minor’s Comp and Apportionment, and Informal Discovery Conference
The Department 502 contact email for the Asbestos Department is AsbestosDepartment@sftc.org.
Asbestos E-mail: AsbestosDepartment@sftc.org
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases · Court notice
Page 2 | Department 502 Contact Information
Contact the clerk at 415-551-3768 to obtain the date for an in-person Asbestos Informal Discovery Conference.
Asbestos Informal Discovery Conference (In-person Only): • Contact Clerk for date at 415-551-3768.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below. · Civil cases · Court notice
Page 2 | Asbestos CMC, Default Hearings, Minor’s Comp and Apportionment, and Informal Discovery Conference