Judge George H. Wu
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Hand Delivery
Adjournments
- If unable to call a witness for 30+ minutes, party is deemed to have rested.
Communication
Chambers
Letter via ECF
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
At the FPTC, the Court will discuss with the parties which of the causes of action and affirmative defenses will, in fact, need to be tried to the jury. At that time, the Court will review the time estimate for the trial and, if necessary, set a specified time table for each party to present its claims/defenses (including the imposition of time limits on opening statements and closing arguments). Since the Court’s allotment of time to try the case will inevitably be less than the parties’ estimate, the Court will allocate the time generally giving the plaintiff’s side 55% to 60% and the defendant’s side 45% to 40%.
Summary: Court allocates 55-60% trial time to plaintiff, 40-45% to defendant.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The proposed jury instructions are to be placed in the order in which they are to be read to the jury and printed in booklet form (i.e., fitting multiple instructions sequentially on each page).
Summary: Jury instructions must be ordered and printed in booklet form with multiple instructions per page.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
In order to fit all of the necessary information into the limited spaces on the form, for this document the parties can utilize as low as 9 point font, if they so desire.
Summary: Parties may use 9 point font for the exhibit list form.
Document Filing Requirements33 rules
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Within seven (7) days of the initial arraignment before the Magistrate Judge, the Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the trial of the case and the defendant’s attorney shall meet and confer on the issue of discovery in this case including, but not limited, the items referenced in Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 15 and 16.
Summary: Defense and prosecution must meet and confer on discovery within 7 days of initial arraignment.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(i) Disclose to defendant’s attorney its intent to use any statements or confessions made by the defendant. If defendant questions the admissibility of such statement or confession, the hearing required by Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368 (1964), shall be scheduled at the first status conference with the court;
Summary: Government must disclose intent to use defendant's statements or confessions.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(c) Permit defendant’s attorney to inspect and copy or photograph any relevant recorded testimony of the defendant before a grand jury;
Summary: Government must permit inspection of defendant's grand jury testimony.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(g) Advise defendant’s attorney of the existence or non-existence of any evidence in the possession of the Government obtained as the result of any electronic surveillance or wiretap;
Summary: Government must advise about electronic surveillance or wiretap evidence.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(f) Permit defendant’s attorney to inspect, copy, or photograph any evidence favorable to the defendant;
Summary: Government must permit inspection of evidence favorable to defendant.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(d) Permit defendant’s attorney to inspect and copy or photograph books, papers, documents, tangible objects, buildings, or places which are the property of the defendant and which are within the possession, custody, or control of the Government;
Summary: Government must permit inspection of defendant's property in government possession.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(e) Make known to the defendant’s attorney the defendant’s prior criminal record in the possession of the attorney for the Government;
Summary: Government must disclose defendant's prior criminal record.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(b) Permit defendant’s attorney to inspect and copy or photograph any relevant results or reports of physical or mental examinations, and of specific tests or experiments made in connection with the case, or copies thereof, within the possession, custody, or control of the Government, the existence of which is known, or may become known, to the attorney for the Government, and which are material to the defendant’s case;
Summary: Government must permit inspection of relevant examination results and test reports.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(h) Advise defendant’s attorney of the contemplated use of informer testimony (fact of informer only, not name or testimony);
Summary: Government must advise about contemplated use of informer testimony.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(a) Permit defendant’s attorney to inspect and copy or photograph any relevant written or recorded statements or confessions made by the defendant, or copies thereof, within the possession, custody, or control of the Government, the existence of which is known, or by the exercise of due diligence may become known, to the attorney for the Government;
Summary: Government must permit inspection of defendant's relevant statements or confessions.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
(j) Give to defendant’s counsel a copy of the statements of all witnesses the government intends to call in its case in chief.
Summary: Government must provide witness statements for case in chief.
Document Type
Discovery
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
A moving party who files a reply/response to an opposition to a motion for summary judgment (where the opposing party has filed a “Statement of Genuine Disputes”) shall file a “Response to Statement of Genuine Disputes” using the format delineated below. Said Response will include each initially designated uncontroverted fact (and supporting evidence), and, if the opposing party has raised a dispute to the moving party’s fact, the moving party’s response (and any supporting evidence) to rebut the opposing party’s contentions.
Summary: Moving party must file a 'Response to Statement of Genuine Disputes' in a specific format when replying to an opposition that includes a Statement of Genuine Disputes.
Document Type
Response To Statement Of Genuine Disputes
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Any evidentiary objections to materials filed in connection with summary judgment motions (for which a party desires the Court to specifically make a ruling) shall be delineated in a separate document (or documents) entitled 'Request for Evidentiary Ruling on Specified Objections.' Each objection shall: (1) cite to the evidentiary item and state its precise location by document name and Docket Number plus the page and line(s) where it appears, and (2) concisely articulate the bases for the objection(s). Objections will only be raised as to evidence (not to factual statements or factual characterizations in the opposing party's brief(s)). The Court will disregard any evidentiary objection(s) that do not comply with this instruction.
Summary: Evidentiary objections must be filed in a separate document titled 'Request for Evidentiary Ruling on Specified Objections' with specific citation and basis requirements.
Document Type
Request For Evidentiary Ruling On Specified Objections
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Indicate which of the three following actions will be taken if the application is denied: (1) Counsel will publically file the document(s) for consideration by the Court; (2) Attorney will retrieve the chambers copy of the document(s); or (3) Clerk will destroy the chambers copy of the document(s).
Summary: Must specify action if application to seal is denied.
Document Type
Application To Seal
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Attach a proposed order to the electronically filed application (standard procedure for filing application with a proposed order).
Summary: Proposed order required with application to seal.
Document Type
Application To Seal
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Electronically file the application to seal and the declaration giving notice or proof of service.
Summary: Electronically file application to seal and declaration.
Document Type
Application To Seal
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Electronically file a NOTICE OF MANUAL FILING indicating that the following have been submitted to the Court: (1) an application to seal; (2) a declaration giving notice or a proof of service; (3) a proposed order; and (4) the documents to be placed under seal.
Summary: File Notice of Manual Filing for sealing application and documents.
Document Type
Notice Of Manual Filing
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All applications must provide reason(s) as to why the parties' interest to file the document(s) under seal outweighs the public's right to access.
Summary: Applications must justify sealing over public access.
Document Type
Application To Seal
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
If a party submits an application to file under seal pursuant to a protective order only (i.e., no other reason is given), the application will be denied unless the Court receives within 48 hours from the notice of filing a document providing (1) the reasons the document should be filed under seal; and (2) the portions within the document that are confidential. This document shall be entitled: "ADDENDUM TO APPLICATION TO FILE UNDER SEAL PURSUANT TO PROTECTIVE ORDER".
Summary: Protective order-only applications denied unless addendum filed within 48 hours.
Document Type
Addendum To Application To Seal
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
All applications must indicate which portions of the documents to be filed under seal are confidential.
Summary: Applications must specify confidential portions.
Document Type
Application To Seal
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
At least ten (10) days before the FPTC, all counsel and pro se litigants will meet and confer in person so that at least five (5) days before the FPTC, the parties will have filed and provided to the Court “joint” versions of the following:
Summary: Parties must meet and file joint documents 5 days before FPTC
Document Type
Joint Preparation Documents
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
By “joint”, the Court means that the materials will be contained in a single document signed by all counsel and pro per litigants. In the preparation of said document, no party shall have the right to veto (i.e., exclude from the document) material proffered by any other party. However, areas of dispute or other differences shall be noted.
Summary: Joint documents must include all materials with disputes noted
Document Type
Joint Preparation Documents
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
The most recent version of any form instruction is to be utilized.
Summary: Most recent version of form instructions must be used.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Modifications of established jury instructions from the various sources must specifically indicate the change(s) made to the original form instruction and cite to the authority supporting the modification(s).
Summary: Modifications to form instructions must indicate changes and cite supporting authority.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
Any blanks or spaces are to be filled in by the parties.
Summary: Parties must fill in all blanks and spaces in form instructions.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
At least twenty-one (21) days prior to the Final Pre-Trial Conference (henceforth “FPTC”), counsel for each party and pro per litigants1 must have prepared and exchanged with each other all of the following:
Summary: Parties must exchange trial preparation materials 21 days before FPTC
Document Type
Trial Preparation
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In addition to the joint proposed jury instruction booklet, the parties are to provide the court with a table listing each proposed instruction and the following information (at the time of the FPTC, only the first two columns need to be filled out):
Summary: Parties must provide a table listing proposed instructions with specific information.
Document Type
Jury Instructions
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
During the trial, each party must advise its opponent(s) at least 24 hours in advance of the witnesses which it plans to call for the next day. Likewise, any chart or other item of demonstrative evidence (which is otherwise not a pre-marked exhibit) must be shown to the opponent(s) at least 48 hours before its intended use so that a hearing can conveniently be heard outside the presence of the jury, if necessary.
Summary: Parties must disclose next day's witnesses 24 hours in advance and demonstrative evidence 48 hours in advance.
Document Type
Trial Preparation
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?
In numbering and marking the exhibits, the parties are to follow Local Rules 16-6 and 26-3.
Summary: Parties must follow Local Rules 16-6 and 26-3 for exhibit numbering and marking.
Document Type
Exhibit
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
Voir dire examinations will primarily be conducted by the Court. See Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“FRCP”) 47(a). Each side will be allowed a brief period to ask follow-up questions. Parties are to submit at the FPTC any questions that they want the Court to ask the jurors. Prior to the voir dire, the Court will indicate if any of the proposed questions are objectionable or if the Court will decline to ask particular question(s) but will allow the counsel to ask it/them during their allotted time.
Summary: Court conducts voir dire; parties submit questions at FPTC for follow-up.
Structured details unavailable. See the source text.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
If interpreters are required for any witness, the party calling that witness bears the burden of supplying an interpreter.
Summary: Calling party must provide interpreters for witnesses.
Document Type
Witness List
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
If the case is complex or raises 'delicate issues' and if the parties stipulate in advance, they can submit a proposed written jury questionnaire form at the FPTC.
Summary: Complex cases may use written jury questionnaire if parties stipulate.
Document Type
Jury Questionnaire
Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?
It is this Court’s normal practice to allow jurors to ask questions of witnesses during the trial using the procedure set forth in 9th Cir. Jury Instruction No. 1.15. If any party objects to such juror questioning, it should raise that issue at the FPTC.
Summary: Juror questioning of witnesses allowed unless objected at FPTC.
Document Type
Juror Questioning Procedure
Filing & Service rules
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Joint status statement with courtesy copy required by Friday before status conference
Upon completion of the meet and confer referenced in paragraph 1 above, no later than the Friday before the status conference, the parties shall file (with a courtesy copy to delivered to the Court’s mailbox outside the Clerk’s Office on the 4th floor of the 1st Street Courthouse) a joint statement that includes the following information:
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Criminal cases
Replies to motions in limine must include courtesy copies delivered to Court chambers.
Any replies are to be filed and personally served four (4) days before the FPTC and courtesy copies are to be delivered to Court chambers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 6 | Motions in limine deadlines
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Document titles appear on public docket even if sealed.
The title of the pleading will be placed on the public docket entry. For example: "Declaration of John Doe, Exhibit A." If approved, the document itself will be sealed and not viewable by the public, but the entry (title) will be viewable.
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 2 | PILOT PROGRAM -INSTRUCTIONS TO ATTORNEYS
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Motions in limine must be filed and served 21 days before FPTC; oppositions 10 days before; replies 4 days before with courtesy copies to chambers.
All motions in limine are to be filed and personally served no later than twenty-one (21) days before the FPTC. Any oppositions to said motions are to be filed and personally served ten (10) days before the FPTC. Any replies are to be filed and personally served four (4) days before the FPTC and courtesy copies are to be delivered to Court chambers.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Page 6 | Motions in limine deadlines
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
If unable to call a witness for 30+ minutes, party is deemed to have rested.
Should there be any instance where a party is unable to call a witness for more than thirty (30) minutes, the Court will deem that side to have rested.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases
Chambers Communication Rules
Email chambers with PDF application, Word proposed order, and PDF sealed documents.
After electronically filing the application and proof of service, send an e-mail to GW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov with an attachment containing (1) an Adobe PDF version of the application to seal and declaration giving notice or a proof of service; (2) a Word or WP version of the proposed order (including the proposed action to be taken if the application is denied (see 3., above)); and (3) an Adobe PDF of the document(s) to be filed under seal with a caption page clearly marked "UNDER SEAL." The subject line of the e-mail should have the case number, plus the words "UNDER SEAL REQUEST".
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 1 | PILOT PROGRAM -INSTRUCTIONS TO ATTORNEYS
Email chambers with PDF application, Word proposed order, and PDF sealed documents.
Send an email to the chambers email at GW_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov with an attachment containing (1) an Adobe PDF version of the application to seal and declaration giving notice or a proof of service; (2) a Word or WP version of the proposed order (including the proposed action to be taken if the application is denied (see 3., above)); and (3) an Adobe PDF of the document(s) to be filed under seal with a caption page, clearly marked "UNDER SEAL." The subject line of the e-mail should have the case number, plus the words "UNDER SEAL REQUEST".
Machine summary. Not checked yet.
Page 2 | PILOT PROGRAM -INSTRUCTIONS TO ATTORNEYS
Counsel must arrange AV equipment with clerk 3 business days before trial.
If a party elects to utilize the court’s equipment, counsel are advised to learn how to operate the equipment before trial begins. If counsel are bringing their own audio/visual apparatus (or have any other logistical issue, e.g., a large number of boxes or exhibits), they must make arrangements with the court clerk at least three (3) business days in advance of trial.
Machine summary. Not checked yet. · Civil cases