San Joaquin Superior Court Filing Rules

The Probate/Mental Health Declaration Regarding Notice of an Ex Parte Application is mandatory.

Responsive declarations or reports served by mail must be served at least ten judicial days before the hearing.

For all trials, including long cause hearings, the parties must file and exchange trial briefs on all issues at least five court days before trial.

The court does not impose an administrative fee for electronic filing.

In civil actions, an extension to serve the defendant with process is supported when the plaintiff's declaration shows that the defendant's insurer or authorized representative knows of the action and settlement negotiations are underway that could resolve the case.

Family-law emergency requests are limited to the matters specified in California Rules of Court Rule 5.151(b) and must be in writing.

A party must deliver one copy of any written remote-appearance notice or opposition to the department hearing the proceeding.

The filer must redact applicable personal identifiers and privileged or confidential information, and the clerk will not review filings for redaction compliance.

A motion to seal documents may be filed electronically.

A document required by the Commissioner or Judicial Officer for submission on the hearing day must be emailed to familycourtclerks@sjcourts.org.

The court will not consider attachments exceeding the applicable 50-page or 100-page limit without prior approval.

Ex parte matters must be approved and scheduled through the Law and Motion Judge’s clerk before the documents are filed.

Documents intended for the court's consideration must accompany the party's moving or opposition papers and be submitted five court days before the hearing.