Central District of California Local Rules and Judge Filing Requirements
Filing requirements from individual practices, standing orders, and published court policies for Central District of California
Federal court local rules are only the first layer. These filing requirements come from individual judges' practices, standing orders, and policies published by the Central District of California. They supplement the district local rules and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Requirements vary significantly between judges in the same district, so always verify the specific rules for your assigned judge.
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Factual issues in dispute should list ultimate facts, not argue evidence sufficiency.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Counsel must meet and confer to resolve discovery disputes informally before formal motions.
- Judge Hernán D. Vera
Government must disclose electronic surveillance evidence and government informant testimony to defense counsel.
- Judge Mark C. Scarsi
TRO/injunction applications require proof of service or request for excuse, 24-hour waiting period, and call to clerk within 30 minutes.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Supervision-related relief applications must include Probation & Pretrial Services position.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Original exhibits require official yellow (plaintiff) or blue (defendant) tags
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Trial exhibits consisting of documents or photographs must be submitted in three-ring binders, with 3 total sets (1 original, 2 copies).
- Judge Cynthia Valenzuela
Party introducing audio, video, or digital evidence must ensure the flash drive only contains admitted evidence.
- Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald
No leaving counsel table during session without advance permission.
- Judge Mark C. Scarsi
Electronically filed evidence must be text-searchable with selectable text.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Motions in limine must be filed at least 28 days before the Final Pretrial Conference.
- Judge Kenly Kiya Kato
Stipulation of facts must be filed at least 14 days before final pretrial conference.
- Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha
Motions in limine must be filed at least 28 days before the FPTC.
- Judge Michelle Williams Court
Parties must meet and confer regarding jury instructions 21 days before FPTC.
- Judge Serena R. Murillo
If declarations are filed, parties must file objections 14 days before FPTC.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Closing arguments serve as evidence overview; post-trial briefs only if court authorizes
- Judge Hernán D. Vera
Counsel must return exhibits to Courtroom Deputy before leaving courtroom.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Disclosure to in-house counsel or expert allowed unless written objection received within 7 days.
- Judge Mark C. Scarsi
All discovery matters are referred to the assigned Magistrate Judge.
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Scheduling conferences held Fridays at 1:00 PM
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Replies to motions in limine are not allowed and will be stricken.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Reply briefs not permitted for ex parte applications.
- Judge Anne Hwang
A nonmoving party who in good faith believes the undisputed facts entitle it to summary judgment on the same issue should request that relief in its response to the moving party’s argument.
- Judge Cynthia Valenzuela
Motions require meet-and-confer with opposing counsel to discuss substance and potential resolution before filing.
- Judge Hernán D. Vera
Structured meet-and-confer schedule for jury instructions (35/28/21/14 days before FPTC).
- Judge Cynthia Valenzuela
Trial conflicts require detailed information about each conflicting case.
- Judge Kenly Kiya Kato
Motion for review of magistrate judge's ruling must be filed within 14 days.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Defendants not served within 90 days are dismissed without notice unless extension granted.
- Judge John A. Kronstadt
Provide delivery information to Space & Facilities within 48 hours of arrival date.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Plaintiff must identify and serve Doe defendants before scheduling conference deadline.
- Judge Hernán D. Vera
A sealed opposition must be linked to an existing court order granting leave to file under seal.
- Judge John A. Kronstadt
Transcripts with designated material must have legend and page list with protection levels.
- Judge David O. Carter
The e-filing screen must turn red to confirm the document will be filed under seal; otherwise the process must stop.
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Parties must provide good cause or compelling reasons justification for each document sought to be filed under seal.
- Judge Mark C. Scarsi
Redacted version required for all sealed documents, filed separately with "Redacted" in title.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Chambers Copies of TRO-related documents must be provided same day as filing.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Counsel must not deliver chambers copies of discovery-related documents.
- Judge Otis D. Wright II
For a mandatory chambers copy at least one inch thick, the filing party should use a three-ring binder; blue backing is not required.
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Counsel must deliver chambers copies of the motion for review papers and responses to the Magistrate Judge.
- Judge Jesus G. Bernal
Chambers copies must comply with L.R. 11-3 formatting, including backing and tabbing requirements.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Opening claim construction briefs limited to 7,000 words, excluding specified items.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Support/opposition memoranda limited to 25 pages; replies limited to 12 pages.
- Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha
Memoranda limited to 7,000 words (computer-generated) or 25 pages (handwritten/typewriter).
- Judge Hernán D. Vera
Joint proposed jury instructions due 14 days before FPTC.
- Judge Kenly Kiya Kato
Responsive claim construction briefs limited to 10 pages.
- Judge Kenly Kiya Kato
Fictitiously named defendants must be served before the Rule 16(b) scheduling conference.
- Judge Serena R. Murillo
Ex parte TRO moving party must serve opposing party via email/fax/personal service, notify of opposing paper deadline, or certify under Rule 65/Local 65-1.
- Judge Anne Hwang
The moving party on an ex parte application (including TROs and preliminary injunctions) must serve the opposing party by email, fax, or personal service and notify that party of the opposition deadline.
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Amended witness lists must be filed, emailed to Chambers in Word format by noon on Friday before trial.
- Judge Josephine L. Staton
Government must provide defense counsel a copy of witness binders; witness binders are not provided to the jury.
- Magistrate Judge Steve Kim
Filing party’s role must be entered in the “Party Role” field when filing an Application for Leave to File Under Seal.
- Judge John F. Walter
When e-filing a sealed document, select the filing party from the list of parties who have appeared in the case and click Next.
- Judge Serena R. Murillo
When filing a sealed motion, the document upload screen must turn red to confirm the filing will be under seal; if it does not turn red, stop and restart the docketing process.
- Judge Anne Hwang
Counsel must electronically file all filings.
- Judge Kenly Kiya Kato
Notice of Lodging of Consent Form with attached Form CV-11D must be e-filed as a proposed document per Local Rule 5-4.4.
- Judge Anne Hwang
If a party files multiple summary-adjudication motions without leave, the court will consider the first and strike the later motions.
- Judge Sunshine S. Sykes
Evidence exceeding 200 pages must be placed in a three-ring binder with index and tab dividers.
- Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett
The Joint Brief must be accompanied by a separate, tabbed Joint Appendix of Evidence.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Only one joint summary judgment motion may be filed without leave of court; additional motions require court permission.
- Judge Serena R. Murillo
Parties must fully integrate the Joint Brief, JAF, JAE, and JAO; failure to comply may result in the motion being stricken and the process repeated.
- Judge Wesley L. Hsu
Junior lawyers (5 years or less) may secure oral argument by requesting it.
- Judge Otis D. Wright II
Court may dispense with oral argument; encourages junior attorneys to present arguments.
- Judge Hernán D. Vera
Court encourages providing opportunities for junior and diverse lawyers.
- Judge Anne Hwang
The Court encourages lead counsel to let junior counsel fully participate in all proceedings, including arguing motions and examining witnesses at trial.
- Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha
Junior lawyers (under 5 years experience) may increase likelihood of oral argument if noted in bold/underline.