# San Francisco Superior Court — Local Rules - Citation: SFSC Local Rules - Subject: Local procedural rules for San Francisco Superior Court - Source: https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/local-rules - Last verified: 2026-05-13 > Authored from canonical California sources; verify against > sfsuperiorcourt.org before relying. SFSC local rules are > updated periodically; always pull the current version. --- ## Overview The San Francisco Superior Court (SFSC) hears unlimited civil, limited civil, complex, probate, family law, and criminal matters in its Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) and Civic Center Courthouse (400 McAllister Street). Civil law and motion matters are generally heard in Departments 501 and 502 at the Civic Center Courthouse. Complex cases are assigned to the Complex Litigation Program, typically in Department 304. SFSC has a reputation for progressive local rules, strong ADR programs, and an active complex litigation bench. Key distinctions from other California courts: - The meet-and-confer requirement for discovery motions is strict: personal contact (phone or in-person) is required, not just letter exchange. - ADR (mediation) is strongly favored; the court maintains a panel of mediators at reduced cost. - Tentative rulings in Departments 501–502 are posted online the afternoon before the hearing. --- ## Division 1 — General Provisions ### Rule 1.0 — Application **Summary.** SFSC Local Rules apply to all civil proceedings in San Francisco Superior Court, in supplement to the CRC and CCP. Department standing orders may vary from these rules; check the assigned department's page. ### Rule 1.5 — Electronic Filing **Summary.** e-Filing is mandatory for represented parties in unlimited civil cases; limited civil cases may be e-filed but paper filing is also accepted. Self-represented parties are not required to e-file. --- ## Division 3 — Civil Procedure ### Rule 3.0 — Case Assignment **Summary.** Unlimited civil cases are assigned to a dedicated civil department at the time of filing through a master assignment system. The assigned judge manages the case from CMC through trial ("one judge, one case" philosophy). ### Rule 3.1 — Service of Process **Summary.** Service of summons and complaint must be accomplished and proof filed within 60 days of filing, unless an extension is requested. Failure to serve within the time limits may result in mandatory dismissal under CCP § 583.210. --- ### Rule 3.5 — Meet and Confer — Discovery Disputes **Summary.** Before filing any discovery motion, SFSC requires more than a letter exchange: the parties must hold a substantive conference by telephone, video, or in person to discuss the specific objections and responses at issue. A declaration describing the conference must accompany the motion. ``` (a) Scope. The SFSC meet-and-confer requirement applies to all discovery motions, including motions to compel further responses, motions to quash, and protective order motions. (b) Telephone/in-person conference required. Counsel must confer by telephone, video conference, or in person. A letter or email exchange is not sufficient to satisfy the meet-and-confer requirement, unless the opposing party fails to respond to a communication within five business days. (c) Declaration. The moving party must file a declaration that: (1) Identifies the counsel who participated in the conference; (2) States the date, time, and duration of the conference; (3) Describes the substance of the discussions and the positions taken by each party; (4) Identifies any issues resolved and any issues remaining. (d) Court sanctions. If the moving party files a discovery motion without an adequate meet-and-confer declaration, the court may deny the motion or impose monetary sanctions. ``` --- ### Rule 3.6 — Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) **Summary.** SFSC law and motion departments (501 and 502) encourage parties to request an IDC before filing a discovery motion. The IDC is requested by calling the department or submitting an ex parte application. Not required for all departments; check current department procedures. --- ### Rule 3.8 — Law and Motion — Departments 501 and 502 **Summary.** Law and motion matters for unlimited civil cases are heard in Departments 501 (Mondays and Tuesdays) and 502 (Wednesdays and Thursdays). Hearing dates must be reserved through the court's online reservation system. ``` (a) Hearing days. Department 501: Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. Department 502: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. (Schedule subject to change; confirm on the court's website.) (b) Reservation. Counsel must reserve a hearing date through the online system at https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/ before filing the motion. Do not file a motion without first reserving a hearing date. (c) Notice. Standard CRC 3.1300 notice periods apply: motion filed/served 16 court days before hearing; opposition 9 court days; reply 5 court days. ``` --- ### Rule 3.10 — Tentative Rulings **Summary.** Departments 501 and 502 post tentative rulings on the SFSC website by 3:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing (consistent with CRC 3.1308). To contest a tentative ruling and request oral argument, a party must notify the opposing party and the department by 4:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing. ``` (a) Posting. Tentative rulings are posted at https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/tentative-rulings by 3:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing. (b) Requesting argument. To contest the tentative ruling: (1) Notify all other parties by telephone or email; and (2) Notify the department by telephone by 4:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing. (c) No request — ruling becomes final. If no party requests oral argument, the tentative ruling becomes the final order of the court without a hearing. ``` --- ### Rule 3.15 — Ex Parte Applications **Summary.** Ex parte applications in SFSC must be filed in the clerk's office of the assigned department or law and motion department. Notice by 10:00 a.m. the court day before is required (CRC 3.1302). Ex parte applications are heard at 9:00 a.m. in the law and motion department. --- ## Division 4 — Alternative Dispute Resolution ### Rule 4.1 — ADR Policy **Summary.** SFSC strongly favors resolution of civil disputes through ADR. All civil cases are subject to the court's ADR program requirements. The ADR Coordinator is located in the clerk's office. ### Rule 4.2 — ADR Information Package **Summary.** Upon filing a civil action, the court provides an ADR information package to all parties. The package describes available ADR options, including mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation, and settlement conference. ### Rule 4.3 — Selection of ADR Process **Summary.** At the CMC, the court will inquire about each party's willingness to participate in ADR. The court may order parties to participate in mediation or other ADR if the court finds it is likely to result in early resolution. ### Rule 4.5 — Mediation Program **Summary.** SFSC maintains a panel of court-approved mediators available at reduced cost. The mediation program operates on a sliding fee scale. Parties selecting a panel mediator complete the required form; the ADR coordinator schedules the mediation. ### Rule 4.7 — Mediation — Confidentiality **Summary.** Mediation communications are confidential under Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1115–1128. The mediator cannot be compelled to testify about the mediation or its communications. Settlement agreements reached in mediation are not confidential if signed and stated to be enforceable. (Evid. Code § 1123.) ### Rule 4.8 — Judicial Arbitration **Summary.** Judicial arbitration applies in cases with amounts in controversy of $50,000 or less per plaintiff (CRC 3.891). The case is referred to a judicial arbitrator; the award is non-binding unless accepted or not timely challenged by a request for trial de novo. ### Rule 4.10 — Early Settlement Conference **Summary.** SFSC operates an Early Settlement Program (ESP) for certain case types (including personal injury). Parties are assigned to settlement panels composed of experienced attorneys who volunteer time to serve as neutral evaluators. The ESP panel meets with the parties and counsel at a set conference date. ### Rule 4.12 — Neutral Evaluation **Summary.** In neutral evaluation, an evaluator (neutral expert) provides a non-binding assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each party's case. The evaluation may assist settlement. --- ## Division 6 — Complex Litigation ### Rule 6.0 — Complex Litigation Program **Summary.** Complex cases are assigned to the Complex Litigation Program in the Civic Center Courthouse (typically Department 304 or 302). The complex program judge issues a tailored CMC order addressing the discovery schedule, class certification (if applicable), summary judgment timing, and trial date. --- ## Key SFSC Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Local Rules | https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/local-rules | | Tentative Rulings (Dept. 501/502) | https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/tentative-rulings | | Law and Motion reservation | https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/ (online scheduling) | | ADR Program | https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/adr | | Complex Litigation (Dept. 304) | https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/complex | --- ## Cross-References | Topic | SFSC Rule | CRC Rule | CCP Section | |---|---|---|---| | Motion notice | 3.8 | 3.1300 | § 1005(b) | | Tentative rulings | 3.10 | 3.1308 | — | | Ex parte | 3.15 | 3.1302 | — | | Meet and confer — discovery | 3.5 | 3.1000 | § 2016.040 | | ADR — mediation | 4.5–4.7 | 3.869 | Evid. Code §§ 1115–1128 | | Judicial arbitration | 4.8 | 3.891 | CCP § 1141.10 et seq. |