Santa Clara Superior Court Chambers Communication Rules

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026CRITICAL

Contact

Email to clerk

Notices of omission must be emailed as courtesy copies to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a specified subject line.

Courtesy copies of notices of omission must also be emailed to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a subject line that reads “COURTESY COPY re [trial court case name & number & title of document]” with this information provided for reference.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026CRITICAL

Contact

Email to clerk

Notices of omission must also be emailed as courtesy copies to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a specified subject line.

In addition to being filed, a notice of omission from the appellate record submitted under CRC 8.155(b), 8.340(b), or 8.410(a) must be brought to the attention of the Superior Court appeals unit by emailing a courtesy copy of the notice to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a subject line that reads “COURTESY COPY re [trial court case name & number & title of document]” with this information provided for reference.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk

Phone

(408) 882-5710

The hearing date must be reserved through the Complex Litigation Clerk at (408) 882-5710 before filing; online reservations may be available through CourtSchedule.

The hearing date must be reserved through the Complex Litigation Clerk at (408) 882-5710 before filing. Doing so will ensure proper handling in the Court’s calendaring system and provide the mechanism for the issuance of a tentative ruling. Online hearing date reservations may be available on the Court’s website through CourtSchedule.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026CRITICAL

Civil cases

Contact

Email to clerk

Withdrawal of a motion must be immediately reported to the case management department by email or phone.

If any motion is withdrawn or to be taken off calendar for any reason, the parties must immediately notify the case management department of that withdrawal by email or telephone call to the department (in addition to notifying the clerk’s office).

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 21, 2026CRITICAL

The SOC calendared by attorneys or self-represented parties must be set by agreement. Parties and attorneys may contact the Calendar Clerk at any time, but in no event later than 40 calendar days before the Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC).

The SOC calendared by attorneys or self-represented parties must be set by agreement. Parties and attorneys may contact the Calendar Clerk at any time, but in no event later than 40 calendar days before the Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC).

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

Contact

Phone

Phone

(408) 882-2761

Petitioner or counsel must promptly contact the Court Investigator's Office when a temporary conservatorship may be requested.

Petitioner or petitioner’s attorney should contact the Court Investigator’s Office at (408) 882-2761 as soon as possible when it appears that a temporary conservatorship may be requested in order that the Investigator can begin the investigation and report necessary for the appointment of a temporary conservator.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 21, 2026WARNING

Civil cases

Parties must contact the calendar clerk to obtain an approved date and time before bringing a noticed motion.

Any party who wishes to bring a noticed motion must contact the appropriate calendar clerk to obtain an approved date and time for the hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email

Withdrawal of an ex parte application requires immediate notification to the case management department by email or telephone (not the clerk's office).

If the moving party decides to withdraw the ex parte application, they must immediately notify the case management department of the withdrawal by email or telephone call to the department (not the clerk's office).

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email

Withdrawal or taking a motion off calendar requires immediate notification to the case management department by email or telephone, in addition to notifying the clerk's office.

If any motion is withdrawn or to be taken off calendar for any reason, the parties must immediately notify the case management department of that withdrawal by email or telephone call to the department (in addition to notifying the clerk's office).

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email to chambers

If a mandate judge is assigned to a department, the petitioner must email the department to alert the court about a priority election matter filing.

If the designated mandate judge is assigned to a particular department, petitioner must also send an email to the department email account alerting the court to the filing of a priority election matter.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Contact

Email

Each party must email the preliminary examination judges by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the examination with readiness, continuance, remote testimony, interpreter, and time estimate information.

Each party must inform the preliminary examination judges via email by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the date set for the preliminary examination whether the party will be ready to proceed, whether a continuance pursuant to Penal Code section 1050 will be sought and any objections thereto, whether there are requests for remote testimony and any objections thereto, and whether interpreters are needed. Each party must also provide an updated and accurate time estimate for the hearing.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Contact

Phone

Subpoenaing party must confirm FCS staff appearance by phone at least one court day in advance.

Any party who subpoenas any FCS staff to appear in Court must confirm that the appearance is still required with that FCS staff person by telephone at least one court day in advance.

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

The SOC calendared by attorneys or self-represented parties must be set by agreement. Parties and attorneys may contact the Calendar Clerk at any time, but in no event later than 40 calendar days before the Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC).

The SOC calendared by attorneys or self-represented parties must be set by agreement. Parties and attorneys may contact the Calendar Clerk at any time, but in no event later than 40 calendar days before the Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC).

Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Sep 20, 2026WARNING

Counsel must promptly notify the Court when a case settles.

If the parties are able to settle the case, counsel must promptly notify the Court.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026INFO

Contact

Email

Parties may notify the case management department of intent to oppose an ex parte application by email or telephone (not the clerk's office).

Parties may notify the case management department of an intent to oppose an ex parte application by email or telephone call to the department (not to the clerk's office).

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026INFO

Contact

Phone

Phone

(408) 882-2761

Contact the Court Investigator's Office as soon as possible for temporary conservatorship requests.

Petitioner or petitioner’s attorney should contact the Court Investigator’s Office at (408) 882-2761 as soon as possible when it appears that a temporary conservatorship may be requested in order that the Investigator can begin the investigation and report necessary for the appointment of a temporary conservator.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026INFO

Contact

Email to chambers

Remote hearing participants should alert the judicial officer of technological or audibility issues via the chat function, by informing another participant, or by emailing the hearing department as directed.

A party, witness, reporter, interpreter or other participants should make an effort to alert the judicial officer of technological or audibility issues during a hearing by sending a message through the "chat" function of the remote technology, by informing another participant in the hearing, or by sending an email to the hearing department as directed by the court or department.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

Courtesy copies of notices of omission must be emailed to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a specified subject line.

Courtesy copies of notices of omission must also be emailed to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a subject line that reads “COURTESY COPY re [trial court case name & number & title of document]” with this information provided for reference.

Checked against the court's document on Sep 20, 2026INFO

Contact

Email to clerk

A notice of omission from the appellate record must be emailed as a courtesy copy to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a specified subject line.

In addition to being filed, a notice of omission from the appellate record submitted under CRC 8.155(b), 8.340(b), or 8.410(a) must be brought to the attention of the Superior Court appeals unit by emailing a courtesy copy of the notice to appealsclerks@scscourt.org with a subject line that reads “COURTESY COPY re [trial court case name & number & title of document]” with this information provided for reference.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

In the event a case settles before a court hearing or trial date, parties must telephonically notify the Court as soon as the disposition is agreed upon

Summary: Parties must telephonically notify the Court as soon as a settlement is agreed upon before a hearing or trial date.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk ?

Counsel must first clear the hearing date with the other parties before contacting the Complex Litigation Clerk. You must provide the Court with the name of the case, the case number, type of hearing, hearing date requested, and name and telephone number of the filing attorney. Online hearing date reservations may be available on the Court's website through CourtSchedule.

Summary: Counsel must clear a hearing date with all other parties before contacting the Complex Litigation Clerk, providing the case name, case number, hearing type, requested hearing date, and the filing attorney's name and telephone number, with online reservations possibly available through CourtSchedule.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Email to clerk ?

Complex Litigation Clerk (for both Departments 22 and 8): Civil Calendar Unit complex@scscourt.org

Summary: The Complex Litigation Clerk (Civil Calendar Unit) serving both Departments 22 and 8 can be reached at complex@scscourt.org.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

Phone

408-882-2180

Telephone & Email The Honorable Elizabeth C. Peterson 408-882-2180 Courtroom Clerk: Erica Gonzalez 408-882-2180

Summary: Department 8 (Judge Elizabeth C. Peterson) and courtroom clerk Erica Gonzalez can be reached by phone at 408-882-2180.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

Phone

408-882-2340

Telephone & Email: The Honorable Beth McGowen 408-882-2340 Courtroom Clerk: Farris Bryant 408-882-2340

Summary: Department 22 (Judge Beth McGowen) and courtroom clerk Farris Bryant can be reached by phone at 408-882-2340.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Email: department22@scscourt.org

Summary: Department 22 may be contacted by email at department22@scscourt.org.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Phone to clerk ?

It is counsel's responsibility to note the date and time set for any future hearing. Hearing dates are set by contacting the Complex Litigation Clerk. Online hearing date reservations are available on the Court's website through CourtSchedule (Reservations - Santa Clara Superior Court).

Summary: Counsel are responsible for tracking their own hearing dates, which are set by contacting the Complex Litigation Clerk or by reserving online through CourtSchedule.

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

Civil cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

To schedule an IDC with the Court, please contact the department to obtain available dates and select one jointly with the other side.

Summary: To schedule an IDC, parties contact the department (by email request) to obtain available dates and must jointly select a date with the other side.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Criminal cases

No proceeding may be photographed, recorded (audio or video), or re-broadcast by any person who is personally present or who is appearing, participating, or observing remotely without prior written order of the court. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.150; Super. Ct. Santa Clara County, General Local Rules, rule 2.)

Summary: No proceeding may be photographed, recorded, or re-broadcast without prior written court order.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Contact

Email to clerk ?

If the moving party decides to withdraw the ex parte application, they must immediately notify the case management department of the withdrawal by email or telephone call to the department (not the clerk’s office).

Summary: Withdrawal of an ex parte application must be immediately reported to the case management department by email or phone.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Civil cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

For cases in which a child is in out-of-home care pending a jurisdiction or disposition hearing and in which the court did not explicitly grant social worker discretion to return the child home pending jurisdiction or disposition, where no party objects to return, counsel shall contact the assigned judge via email to determine if a return to a parent pending the jurisdiction or disposition hearing is authorized.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Contact

Phone to clerk ?

Phone

4085345644 ?

Attorneys or self-represented parties shall notify the Court at the earliest opportunity of any agreement or request to take a hearing off calendar or if all issues to be considered at the hearing have been resolved. At least one of the parties or counsel must leave a voicemail message for the Courtroom Clerk that the hearing will be a “no-read” matter no later than 9:00 a.m. on the court day before the hearing. At the same time, a voicemail message must be left for the Duty Clerk at (408) 5345644, with the callerʼs name, the case name, number, hearing date and department, and reason for the message. If a message is left that the parties have agreed to continue the hearing, the parties should be prepared to proceed with the hearing if the Court does not agree to continue the matter.

Summary: Parties must leave voicemail messages for the Courtroom Clerk and Duty Clerk by 9:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing to notify of a no-read matter, including specified case information.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Any rescheduling coordination must be managed through the Courtroom Clerk for the assigned Settlement Judge.

Summary: Rescheduling coordination for the JSSC must be handled through the Courtroom Clerk for the assigned Settlement Judge.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Each party must inform the preliminary examination judges via email by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the date set for the preliminary examination whether the party will be ready to proceed, whether a continuance under Penal Code section 1050 will be sought and any objections thereto, whether there are requests for remote testimony and any objections thereto, and whether interpreters are needed. Each party must also provide an updated and accurate time estimate for the hearing.

Summary: Each party must email the preliminary examination judges by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the hearing with readiness, PC 1050 continuance requests and objections, remote testimony requests and objections, interpreter needs, and an updated time estimate.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?

Contact

Phone to clerk ?

Phone

(408) 534-5644 ?

Attorneys or self-represented parties shall notify the Court at the earliest opportunity of any agreement or request to take a hearing off calendar or if all issues to be considered at the hearing have been resolved. At least one of the parties or counsel must leave a voicemail message for the Courtroom Clerk that the hearing will be a “no-read” matter no later than 9:00 a.m. on the court day before the hearing. At the same time, a voicemail message must be left for the Duty Clerk at (408) 5345644, with the callerʼs name, the case name, number, hearing date and department, and reason for the message. If a message is left that the parties have agreed to continue the hearing, the parties should be prepared to proceed with the hearing if the Court does not agree to continue the matter.

Summary: Parties must notify the Court at the earliest opportunity of agreements to take hearings off calendar, and leave voicemail to the Courtroom Clerk and Duty Clerk by 9:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing with specified details.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.CRITICAL?

Once the application is approved the parties must submit the Application and Order to the Family Court Settlement Officer [JSSC@scscourt.org]. Counsel must confer and notify the Family Court Settlement Officer regarding the agreed-upon date and time.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Counsel of record must appear at all hearings, unless other counsel appear for them or prior arrangements are made with the court. Counsel of record must ensure that attorneys appearing "specially" have sufficient knowledge of the case, the schedule of the attorney of record, and/or settlement authority to ensure that all court appearances are meaningful and productive.

Summary: Counsel of record must appear at all hearings unless substitute counsel appears or prior arrangements are made, and specially appearing attorneys must have sufficient case knowledge and settlement authority.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Counsel must advise the court of any conflicting appearance in the court of another county before requesting or agreeing to any hearing date. Furthermore, counsel must not request or agree to any hearing date in another county that conflicts with a hearing date previously set by this court.

Summary: Counsel must disclose conflicting appearances in other counties before requesting hearing dates and must not accept hearing dates that conflict with this court's schedule.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Attorneys may appear remotely in proceedings in criminal cases if permitted by the judge presiding over the proceeding. Individual judges have the discretion to determine how attorneys seek approval to appear remotely. Individual judges have the discretion to determine the scope of any approval they grant for remote attorney appearances (i.e., approval may be granted for an attorney to appear only for a specific hearing, for all attorneys to appear remotely on particular calendars, or otherwise). When seeking approval to appear remotely, attorneys should be prepared to advise if an attorney's client — whether an accused, a witness, an alleged victim, or other individual — will appear personally in court for the proceeding. Approval for a remote appearance is unlikely to be granted if an attorney's client will appear personally in court for the proceeding.

Summary: Attorneys may appear remotely in criminal cases only with judicial approval, and approval is unlikely if the attorney's client will appear personally in court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Attorneys must appear in professional business attire from a quiet, stationary location with minimal background noise or visual distractions, an adequate Wi-Fi connection, and using working microphones and headphones/speakers.

Summary: Attorneys appearing remotely must use professional attire, a quiet stationary location, adequate Wi-Fi, and working audio equipment.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Unless approved by the court, participants must appear with their camera turned on. If a participant has security concerns about appearing on camera, this concern should be brought to the court's attention before the hearing.

Summary: Remote participants must keep cameras on unless the court approves otherwise, and security concerns must be raised before the hearing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Contact

Phone to chambers ?

If a participant is able to appear only by telephone, that participant must identify themselves when requested by the court and thereafter when speaking during the hearing. Participants appearing by telephone may not place the Court on hold or use a speakerphone. Participants may turn off "caller ID" when appearing by telephone.

Summary: Telephone participants must identify themselves when speaking, may not place the court on hold or use a speakerphone, and may turn off caller ID.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

All participants must ensure there are no interruptions or distractions for the duration of their appearance at the hearing. No other individual (including a minor child) may appear with the participant or be heard during the hearing without prior court approval, other than when an attorney appears with their client from a common remote location.

Summary: Remote participants must avoid interruptions and may not have other individuals appear or be heard without prior court approval.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

All participants must place their microphones on mute unless they are speaking. All participants must refrain from speaking unless addressed or otherwise allowed by the court.

Summary: Remote participants must keep microphones muted unless speaking and must not speak unless addressed by the court.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Each party must inform the preliminary examination judges via email by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the date set for the preliminary examination whether the party will be ready to proceed, whether a continuance pursuant to Penal Code section 1050 will be sought and any objections thereto, whether there are requests for remote testimony and any objections thereto, and whether interpreters are needed. Each party must also provide an updated and accurate time estimate for the hearing.

Summary: For preliminary examinations other than Long Cause, each party must email the preliminary examination judges by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the hearing with readiness, continuance, remote testimony, interpreter, and time-estimate information.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

Each party must inform the preliminary examination judges via email by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the date set for the preliminary examination whether the party will be ready to proceed, whether a continuance under Penal Code section 1050 will be sought and any objections thereto, whether there are requests for remote testimony and any objections thereto, and whether interpreters are needed. Each party must also provide an updated and accurate time estimate for the hearing.

Summary: In Family Violence Court, each party must email the preliminary examination judges by 5 p.m. at least one court day before the hearing with readiness, continuance, remote testimony, interpreter, and time-estimate information.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Criminal cases

Contact

Email to clerk ?

Prosecution and defense requests for interpreters for trial, preliminary examinations, motions, or any other appearances, must be made in open court at the time these matters are set. A defendant who requires the assistance of an interpreter for his or her first appearance in a criminal proceeding may submit a written request for interpreter in advance of the first appearance on Judicial Council Form INT- 300 by e-mail sent via the court’s Language Access webpage or to

Summary: Requests for interpreters must be made in open court when matters are set, except a defendant needing an interpreter for a first appearance may submit a written request on Form INT-300 by email in advance.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil cases

PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT OR DEFENDANT'S COUNSEL FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THIS SETTLEMENT OR THE CLAIM PROCESS.

Summary: Class members are prohibited from telephoning the Court or defendant's counsel for information about the settlement or claim process.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

counsel shall contact the assigned judge via email to determine if a return to a parent pending the jurisdiction or disposition hearing is authorized. The judge will respond to the request on an expedited basis.

Summary: Counsel must email the assigned judge to determine if a child's return to a parent pending a jurisdiction or disposition hearing is authorized, and the judge will respond on an expedited basis.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Civil cases

When the application is approved, counsel and/or self-represented parties must promptly contact the department of the judge selected to conduct the ADR session, to schedule the session.

Summary: After approval, counsel and self-represented parties must promptly contact the selected judge's department to schedule the ADR session.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Counsel must confer and notify the Family Court Settlement Officer regarding the agreed-upon date and time.

Summary: Counsel must confer and notify the Family Court Settlement Officer of the agreed JSSC conference date and time.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?

Any party who wishes to bring a noticed motion must contact the appropriate calendar clerk to obtain an approved date and time for the hearing.

Summary: Parties bringing a noticed motion must contact the calendar clerk to obtain an approved hearing date and time.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

LACY and Bay Legal may also have advance copies of calendars from the court clerk's office pertaining to youth in the Path2Services Court so the offices may prepare in advance of court hearing dates.

Summary: LACY and Bay Legal may obtain advance copies of the court's calendars from the clerk's office to prepare for upcoming hearing dates.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Civil cases

Contact

Email to clerk ?

Parties may notify the case management department of an intent to oppose an ex parte application by email or telephone call to the department (not to the clerk’s office).

Summary: Parties may notify the case management department of intent to oppose an ex parte application by email or phone.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Civil cases

Contact

Email to chambers ?

If the designated mandate judge is assigned to a particular department, petitioner must also send an email to the department email account alerting the court to the filing of a priority election matter.

Summary: Petitioner must email the department account to alert the court of a priority election matter filing.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Civil cases

Contact

Email ?

A party who needs an interpreter must timely give notice to the Court and all other parties of record and may submit a written request on Judicial Council Form INT-300 by e-mail sent via the court's Language Access webpage or to interpreterrequest@scscourt.org.

Summary: Parties needing an interpreter may submit a written request on Form INT-300 by email via the court's Language Access webpage or to interpreterrequest@scscourt.org.

We could not find this wording in the court's document. Open the source before relying on it.INFO?

Criminal cases

NCYL, LACY and BALA may have advance copies of calendars from the court clerk's officer, so the offices may prepare in advance of court hearing dates.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Parties must notify the evaluator, the Calendar Office and the clerk for the APJ as soon as the case settles before the CSC and/or status conference.

Summary: Parties must notify the evaluator, the Calendar Office, and the clerk for the APJ as soon as the case settles before the CSC or status conference.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

When the application is approved, counsel and/or self-represented parties must promptly contact the department of the judge selected to conduct the ADR session, to schedule the session.

Summary: Upon approval, counsel and/or self-represented parties must promptly contact the selected ADR judge's department to schedule the session.

Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.INFO?

Contact

Email to clerk ?

defendant who requires the assistance of an interpreter for his or her first appearance in a criminal proceeding may submit a written request for interpreter in advance of the first appearance on Judicial Council Form INT- 300 by e-mail sent via the court’s Language Access webpage or to interpreterrequest@scscourt.org.

Summary: A defendant needing an interpreter for a first appearance may submit a written request in advance on Judicial Council Form INT-300 by email via the court's Language Access webpage or to interpreterrequest@scscourt.org.