Ventura Superior Court Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
12 rules from official source documents
9 of 12 checked against the court's document. Each rule says how far it was checked. A value with a question mark is not in the court's wording on its card.
Pre-motion conference and letter requirements before filing motions, including sequential steps. This page is scoped to Ventura Superior Court; use the court rules overview to switch categories without leaving this court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
Custody, visitation, or combined disputes require legally mandated mediation through Ventura County Family Court Services.
Mediation of disputes over custody, visitation, or both, is required by law and provided by the Ventura County Family Court Services section of the Superior Court pursuant to the provisions of Family Code Chapter 11, (Sections 3160 et seq.).
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
A case disputing parental responsibilities, custody, or visitation must be referred for CCRC, and except for temporary orders pending CCRC, the session must precede any hearing on those issues.
Whenever a case involves a dispute over parental responsibilities or custody or visitation, the matter shall be referred to Family Court Services for CCRC. Except for temporary orders pending CCRC, the CCRC session must occur prior to any court hearing on the issues.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
A party may not bring more than five in limine motions without leave of court.
No party shall bring more than five (5) in limine motions without leave of Court.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026CRITICAL
A party may not file more than five motions in limine without leave of court.
No party shall bring more than five (5) motions in limine motions without leave of Court.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Ex parte matters may be handled as a walk-through without arranging a set time in advance, provided appropriate notice is given under Rule 9.06(A).
Ex Parte matters may also be handled as a “walk-through” without a set time arranged in advance, with appropriate notice as set forth in Rule 9.06.A.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Relief from the contested-trial rules requires a motion and a showing of good cause.
Relief from the operation of these rules relating to contested trials may be had in appropriate cases, but only on motion and for good cause shown.
Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
The parties must meet and confer about the necessity of in limine motions and are encouraged to stipulate to evidentiary issues to avoid motions.
The parties shall meet and confer on the necessity of any motions in limine and are encouraged to stipulate to evidentiary issues as much as possible so as to avoid the need for motions.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026WARNING
Parties must meet and confer about the necessity of motions in limine and are encouraged to stipulate to avoid them when possible.
The parties shall meet and confer on the necessity of any motions in limine and are encouraged to stipulate to the maximum extent possible to avoid the need for motions.
Checked and corrected to match the court's document on Oct 4, 2026INFO
Motions seeking orders compelling compliance with existing law generally should not be filed.
Motions that seek orders compelling compliance with existing law should generally not be asserted.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.CRITICAL?
Additionally, the Ventura County Family Courts require parties involved in the dispute to participate in Family Court Orientation prior to any mediation.
Summary: Parties involved in a custody or visitation dispute must complete Family Court Orientation before mediation.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
Motions that seek orders compelling compliance with existing law should generally not be asserted.
Summary: Parties generally should not bring motions seeking orders that merely compel compliance with existing law.
Not confirmed. Read the court's wording below.WARNING?
The parties should agree upon an acceptable schedule for the service of motions, oppositions thereto and reply briefs in support (if necessary), such that the parties can complete this briefing at least seven (7) days before trial.
Summary: The parties should agree on a briefing schedule and complete in limine motion briefing at least seven days before trial.
Does Ventura Superior Court require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?
Ventura Superior Court rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Custody, visitation, or combined disputes require legally mandated mediation through Ventura County Family Court Services.
Judge Maureen M. Houska's rules set a pre-motion procedure for in limine. A party may not bring more than five in limine motions without leave of court.
Judge Ronda J. McKaig's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. A party may not file more than five motions in limine without leave of court.
9 more rules answer this question in the list above.
Related categories
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Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.