Court Rules
Magistrate Judge

Judge Janet A. Cabral

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

Rules last changed:
Southern District of California

Limits & Logistics

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • Not required

Adjournments

  • Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.

Request must include

Reason For Request
  • Extension/continuance requests must be joint motions after meet and confer, stating good cause and opposition basis, filed before deadline absent extraordinary circumstances.

Request must include

Reason For RequestAdversary Position

Communication

Email

Clerk

felina_pacho@casd.uscourts.gov
Email

Chambers

cabral@casd.uscourts.gov
Phone

Clerk

(619) 557-7099
Phone

Chambers

619-557-5874
SchedulingEmergencies
No status inquiries
Filters:AllMandatoryFormattingProposed OrdersTypographyMemorandaLettersExhibitsDiscoveryEmail ChambersSettlement

Document Format Requirements3 rules

Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

All stipulated protective orders must be filed as a joint motion. The parties must email a copy of the proposed protective order in Word format to efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov. The parties are encouraged to use the District Court’s model protective order, which is available on the District Court’s website.

Summary: Stipulated protective orders must be filed as joint motions, with a Word copy emailed to chambers; use of model order is encouraged.

Required Format

DOCX

Chambers Rules · Apr 2026 · p. 2
|SecIII. Civil Rules F. Protective Orders
Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

All proposed orders should be submitted by email (efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov) in Word format and should be free of any attorney names, firm names, document management numbers or insignia in the caption, margins or footer.

Summary: Proposed orders must be in Word format and free of attorney/firm names or insignia in caption, margins, or footer.

Required Format

DOCX

Chambers Rules · Apr 2026 · p. 3
|SecJ. Chambers Copies and Proposed Orders
Formatting

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Note?

Where briefing has been ordered by the Court, counsel should attach only those exhibits that are necessary to the resolution of the parties’ dispute. Generally speaking, this does not include counsel’s meet and confer correspondence. The foregoing requirements apply to all discovery disputes.

Summary: Discovery dispute briefs should only attach necessary exhibits, excluding meet and confer correspondence.

Chambers Rules · Apr 2026 · p. 2
|SecIII. Civil Rules C. Other Discovery Disputes

Document Filing Requirements1 rule

Filing Requirements

Machine summary. Not checked yet.Mandatory?

If the parties reach a settlement outside the presence of the Court, counsel must promptly email chambers to advise of the settlement and file a Notice of Settlement.

Summary: Counsel must file a Notice of Settlement upon case settlement.

Document Type

Notice Of Settlement

Specific requirements detailed in rule text.
Chambers Rules · Apr 2026 · p. 3
|SecI. Notification of Case Resolution

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Sealed documents must be filed via ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event immediately after filing the motion to seal.

After filing a motion to seal, the moving party must immediately file the proposed sealed documents in CM/ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event pursuant to ECF Manual Section 2(j).

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

Proposed orders must be submitted by email to chambers in Word format.

All proposed orders should be submitted by email (efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov) in Word format and should be free of any attorney names, firm names, document management numbers or insignia in the caption, margins or footer.

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Page 3 | J. Chambers Copies and Proposed Orders

Filing Timing and Cure Windows

Plea-related documents must be lodged by noon the day before the change of plea hearing, or the hearing is rescheduled.

The parties must lodge all plea-related documents no later than noon the day before any change of plea hearing. Where plea-related documents are not timely lodged, the change of plea will be taken off calendar and rescheduled for another day.

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Page 1 | II. Criminal Rules

Discovery dispute procedures must be initiated within 45 calendar days of the dispute event (deposition completion or written response service/due date).

The parties must initiate the procedure described in section C above within 45 days of the event giving rise to the dispute. For disputes regarding depositions, the event giving rise to the dispute is the completion of the deposition. For disputes regarding written discovery, the event giving rise to the dispute is the date the initial response was served, or, if a party fails to respond, the date the response was due.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules D. Timing For Raising Discovery Disputes

Designating parties must join sealing motions within 4 business days of service; oppositions also due within 4 business days of service.

Where the party requesting sealing is not the designating party (i.e., the request to seal is made because another party has designated information “confidential”), the designating party must file a joinder in the motion to seal within 4 business days of service and must make the required showing that the information is protectable under the law. The fact that the information has been designated confidential pursuant to a stipulated protective order, standing alone, is not a sufficient basis for sealing. Any opposition to a motion to seal must also be filed within 4 business days of service.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

Service and Proof of Service Rules

Sealing applications must be served on the document custodian if they have not appeared in the action.

Any application to file a document under seal must be served on the person or entity that has custody and control of the document, if that person or entity has not already appeared in the action.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

Courtesy Copy Requirements

Courtesy copies of motions, exhibits, and lodgments are not required unless the Court specifically requests them.

Chambers (courtesy) copies of motions, exhibits and lodgments are not required unless specifically requested by the Court.

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Page 3 | J. Chambers Copies and Proposed Orders

Sealing & Redaction Procedures

Motions to seal must include a specific showing that the material is legally protectable.

The public enjoys a presumptive right of access to court records, and any motion to file information under seal must be supported by a specific showing that the material is protectable under the law.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

Public version of a sealed or partially redacted document must be a slip sheet.

The public version should be a slip sheet for a document proposed to be sealed entirely or a document with the proposed sealed information redacted.

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Page 3 | G. Motions to Seal

Entire sealed documents must be lodged in full; partial redactions must be highlighted in yellow.

If the moving party seeks to seal an entire document, it should lodge the document in full. If the moving party seeks to seal only portions of the document by using redactions, the document should be lodged with the proposed redactions highlighted in yellow for the Court’s consideration.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

Pre-Motion Conference Requirements

Deposition disputes require immediate meet and confer; unresolved disputes may be called in to chambers for ruling.

If a dispute arises during a deposition, the parties must suspend the deposition and immediately meet and confer. If the dispute is not resolved after meeting and conferring, the parties may call chambers for an immediate ruling on the dispute.

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Page 1 | III. Civil Rules B. Disputes During Depositions

After meet and confer exhaustion, movant must email chambers to request pre-motion conference, including required content and copying all counsel.

After meet and confer attempts in compliance with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a have been exhausted, the movant must e-mail chambers at efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov seeking a pre-motion conference to discuss the discovery dispute. The email must include: (1) at least three proposed dates and times mutually agreed upon by the parties for the conference; (2) a brief neutral statement of the dispute; and (3) one sentence describing (not arguing) each party’s position. The movant must copy all counsel on the email.

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Page 1 | III. Civil Rules C. Other Discovery Disputes

Lead counsel must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a (meet and confer) before bringing any matter to the Court.

Before bringing any matter to the Court for resolution, lead counsel (or attorneys with full authority to make decisions on the matter in dispute) must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a.

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Page 1 | III. Civil Rules A. Meet and Confer Requirement

Adjournment & Extension Requirements

Extension/continuance requests must be joint motions after meet and confer, stating good cause and opposition basis, filed before deadline absent extraordinary circumstances.

Requests to extend, amend, continue, or vacate dates and deadlines must be made by joint motion after counsel for the parties have met and conferred by telephone or videoconference. The motion must state good cause for the extension and the basis for any party’s opposition (if opposed). Absent extraordinary circumstances, motions should be filed prior to the date of the deadline sought to be modified.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules E. Motions to Extend, Amend, Continue or Vacate Dates or Deadlines

Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.

The parties may not unilaterally extend these deadlines by stipulation or by service of amended or supplemental responses. Any extension requires leave of Court upon a showing of good cause.

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Page 2 | III. Civil Rules D. Timing For Raising Discovery Disputes

Chambers Communication Rules

If Judge unavailable for deposition dispute, mark deposition at dispute point, continue, then meet and confer again post-deposition and follow discovery dispute procedures.

If Judge Cabral is available, she will either rule on the dispute or give further instructions. If Judge Cabral is not available, the parties must mark the deposition at the point of the dispute and continue with the deposition. Upon completion of the deposition, the parties must once again meet and confer and then follow the procedures in sections C and D below.

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Page 1 | III. Civil Rules B. Disputes During Depositions

Chambers calls/emails are only allowed for scheduling/calendaring and discovery disputes; personnel cannot give legal advice, only counsel with case knowledge may contact.

Telephone calls and emails to chambers are permitted only for administrative matters such as scheduling and calendaring, and to bring discovery disputes to the Court’s attention pursuant to these Rules. Court personnel are prohibited from giving legal advice or discussing the merits of a case. Only counsel with knowledge of the case should contact chambers.

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Page 1 | I. General Matters

Counsel must email chambers to notify of case settlement.

If the parties reach a settlement outside the presence of the Court, counsel must promptly email chambers to advise of the settlement and file a Notice of Settlement.

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Page 3 | I. Notification of Case Resolution

Contact Judge Cabral’s chambers via phone or email for civil matters (excluding transcript requests).

For questions about civil matters (other than transcript requests), please contact Judge Cabral’s chambers at 619-557-5874 or efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov.

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Page 1 | I. General Matters

Contact courtroom deputy Felina Pacho via email or phone for criminal matters and transcript requests.

For questions about any criminal matters and any transcript requests, please contact courtroom deputy Felina Pacho at felina_pacho@casd.uscourts.gov or (619) 557-7099.

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Page 1 | I. General Matters

Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Junior lawyers (fewer than 10 years of experience) may argue motions, and parties may request oral argument in such cases.

The Court encourages parties to contribute to the development of the bar by permitting less experienced lawyers to argue matters before the Court. Any party may request oral argument on a matter where a lawyer with fewer than 10 years’ experience will argue on behalf of the party.

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Page 3 | K. Lawyer Development

About United States Magistrate Judge Janet A. Cabral

**Federal Judicial Service:** Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court Southern District of California Appointed on April 27, 2026 **Education:** * University of Notre Dame, J.D. (1993) * Wright State University, B.A. (1990) **Professional Career:** * Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of California - Chief, Civil Division (2025-2026) - Civil Division (2020-2026) - Project Safe Childhood Program Coordinator (2016-2020) - Criminal Division (2012-2020) * Administrative Law Clerk to the Hon. Irma E. Gonzalez (S.D. Cal.) (2005-2012) * Law Clerk to the Hon. Anthony J. Battaglia (S.D. Cal.) (1993-2001, 2002-2005) * Law Clerk to the Hon. David R. Thompson (9th Cir.) (2001-2002) ![](../_images/sealbg-small.png)

| | | | --- | --- | | [**Courtroom: 3D (3rd Flr)**](../_directions/directions.aspx?bc%3d1%26rm%3d3D "Click for direction instructions") **Chambers Rm. #:** **Telephone:** (619) 557-5874 Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse 221 West Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 | | ### Court Staff **Courtroom Deputy  - F. Pacho** Tel.: (619) 557-7099 (Contact for Criminal Matters) Send a Message ### Chambers Rules & Procedures * [Chambers Rules](cabral/docs/Chambers%20Rules.pdf "Chambers Rules") * [Electronically Stored Information Checklist](cabral/docs/Electronically%20Stored%20Information%20Checklist.pdf "Electronically Stored Information Checklist") ### Hearing Calendars [* June 29, 2026](cabral/calendar/cabral_062926.pdf "cabral_062926.pdf")

Common questions about Judge Janet A. Cabral's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Janet A. Cabral?

The rule limits courtesy-copy delivery rather than stating a blanket requirement before Judge Janet A. Cabral. Courtesy copies of motions, exhibits, and lodgments are not required unless the Court specifically requests them.

View ruleSource: page 3, section J. Chambers Copies and Proposed Orders

Does Judge Janet A. Cabral require a pre-motion conference or letter before filing a motion?

Judge Janet A. Cabral's rules set a pre-motion procedure for covered motions. Lead counsel must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a (meet and confer) before bringing any matter to the Court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section III. Civil Rules A. Meet and Confer Requirement

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Janet A. Cabral?

Judge Janet A. Cabral's formatting rule includes file format docx, email copy to efile cabral@casd.uscourts.gov, and file as joint motion. Stipulated protective orders must be filed as joint motions, with a Word copy emailed to chambers; use of model order is encouraged.

View ruleSource: page 2, section III. Civil Rules F. Protective Orders

What must be included with notice of settlement filings before Judge Janet A. Cabral?

The rule identifies required filing content or certificates. Counsel must file a Notice of Settlement upon case settlement.

View ruleSource: page 3, section I. Notification of Case Resolution

How may parties contact Judge Janet A. Cabral's chambers?

The rule addresses phone communications with Judge Janet A. Cabral's chambers. Chambers calls/emails are only allowed for scheduling/calendaring and discovery disputes; personnel cannot give legal advice, only counsel with case knowledge may contact.

View ruleSource: page 1, section I. General Matters

How does Judge Janet A. Cabral handle sealed or redacted filings?

A motion to seal is required for covered sealed filings before Judge Janet A. Cabral. Process: file redacted on ecf. Motions to seal must include a specific showing that the material is legally protectable.

View ruleSource: page 2, section III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

How do I request an adjournment or extension before Judge Janet A. Cabral?

Advance notice is not fully stated in the structured details. The request must include reason for request. Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.

View ruleSource: page 2, section III. Civil Rules D. Timing For Raising Discovery Disputes

Is electronic filing required before Judge Janet A. Cabral?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Sealed documents must be filed via ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event immediately after filing the motion to seal.

View ruleSource: page 2, section III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

When is a filing treated as filed before Judge Janet A. Cabral?

The rule states a noon filing cutoff. Plea-related documents must be lodged by noon the day before the change of plea hearing, or the hearing is rescheduled.

View ruleSource: page 1, section II. Criminal Rules

What rule applies to service for motion to seal before Judge Janet A. Cabral?

Proof of service is required for the covered service rule. Sealing applications must be served on the document custodian if they have not appeared in the action.

View ruleSource: page 2, section III. Civil Rules G. Motions to Seal

Does Judge Janet A. Cabral encourage junior lawyer participation?

Yes. Judge Janet A. Cabral's rules include a junior lawyer participation incentive. Junior lawyers (fewer than 10 years of experience) may argue motions, and parties may request oral argument in such cases.

View ruleSource: page 3, section K. Lawyer Development
Complete rules summary for Judge Janet A. Cabral

Contact courtroom deputy Felina Pacho via email or phone for criminal matters and transcript requests.

Contact Judge Cabral’s chambers via phone or email for civil matters (excluding transcript requests).

Chambers calls/emails are only allowed for scheduling/calendaring and discovery disputes; personnel cannot give legal advice, only counsel with case knowledge may contact.

Plea-related documents must be lodged by noon the day before the change of plea hearing, or the hearing is rescheduled.

Lead counsel must comply with Civil Local Rule 26.1.a (meet and confer) before bringing any matter to the Court.

Deposition disputes require immediate meet and confer; unresolved disputes may be called in to chambers for ruling.

If Judge unavailable for deposition dispute, mark deposition at dispute point, continue, then meet and confer again post-deposition and follow discovery dispute procedures.

After meet and confer exhaustion, movant must email chambers to request pre-motion conference, including required content and copying all counsel.

Discovery dispute briefs should only attach necessary exhibits, excluding meet and confer correspondence.

Discovery dispute procedures must be initiated within 45 calendar days of the dispute event (deposition completion or written response service/due date).

Discovery dispute deadlines cannot be unilaterally extended; extensions require court leave and good cause showing.

Extension/continuance requests must be joint motions after meet and confer, stating good cause and opposition basis, filed before deadline absent extraordinary circumstances.

Stipulated protective orders must be filed as joint motions, with a Word copy emailed to chambers; use of model order is encouraged.

Motions to seal must include a specific showing that the material is legally protectable.

Sealing applications must be served on the document custodian if they have not appeared in the action.

Designating parties must join sealing motions within 4 business days of service; oppositions also due within 4 business days of service.

Sealed documents must be filed via ECF using the “Sealed Lodged Proposed Document” event immediately after filing the motion to seal.

Entire sealed documents must be lodged in full; partial redactions must be highlighted in yellow.

Public version of a sealed or partially redacted document must be a slip sheet.

Counsel must email chambers to notify of case settlement.

Counsel must file a Notice of Settlement upon case settlement.

Courtesy copies of motions, exhibits, and lodgments are not required unless the Court specifically requests them.

Proposed orders must be submitted by email to chambers in Word format.

Proposed orders must be in Word format and free of attorney/firm names or insignia in caption, margins, or footer.

Junior lawyers (fewer than 10 years of experience) may argue motions, and parties may request oral argument in such cases.

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