# Local Rules — California Superior Courts Each California Superior Court adopts its own local rules under **Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.20**, which limits local rules to matters not covered by the CRC or preempted by state law. When a local rule conflicts with the CRC, the CRC controls. This reference summarizes the most-used local rule provisions for the high-volume courts. Pull the current local rules PDF from each court's website before citing — local rules are updated frequently. > **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** Verify all local rule citations against > the current version from the court's website. ## Los Angeles Superior Court (LASC) The largest trial court in the United States; approximately 31 courthouses across Los Angeles County. **Website**: https://www.lacourt.org/ **Local rules**: https://www.lacourt.org/division/civil/CI0078.aspx ### Division 1 — General rules - **LASC rule 1.20** — All filings must include the department number on the caption; papers filed without department number may be rejected - **LASC rule 2.8** — Courtesy copies required for motions in certain departments; check the department's courtroom information page - **LASC rule 3.24** — Electronic filings: LASC accepts electronic filings through the court's eFiling portal; mandatory for some case types in some departments ### Division 3 — Civil proceedings - **LASC rule 3.3** — Case management: the court assigns cases at filing; complex cases assigned to a Complex Civil Litigation department - **LASC rule 3.4** — Discovery cut-off: all discovery (except expert) must be completed at least 30 days before trial; expert discovery at least 15 days before trial - **LASC rule 3.15** — Ex parte applications: filed in the assigned department; must include a declaration of notice or excuse from notice; ex parte hearing typically at 8:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. ### Department-specific practices LASC has numerous departments, each with its own individual courtroom rules posted online. Always consult the assigned department's courtroom-specific information before setting a hearing. - **Stanley Mosk Courthouse** (111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles): general unlimited civil; Departments 1-87+ - **Spring Street Courthouse**: complex litigation panels - **Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Pomona, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Torrance, Compton** — district courthouses with their own local departments ### Online scheduling LASC has a web-based reservation system for motion hearings in many departments: https://www.lacourt.org/tentativeRulingNet/ Tentative rulings for many LASC civil departments are posted online by 12:00 noon the court day before the hearing. A party wishing to contest a tentative must notify the court and opposing counsel by 4:00 p.m. the day before. ## San Francisco Superior Court (SFSC) **Website**: https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/ **Local rules**: https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/local-rules ### Civil rules - **SFSC rule 9.3** — Complex Litigation Department: cases designated complex under CRC 3.400 are assigned to the Complex Litigation Department (typically Department 302) - **SFSC rule 10.4** — Law and motion: hearings in Departments 501-502; motions must be reserved through the court's online reservation system - **SFSC rule 10.6** — Tentative rulings: posted by 3:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing; parties who do not request oral argument by 4:00 p.m. waive the right to be heard - **SFSC rule 11** — Ex parte applications: filed in Department 501; heard Monday-Friday at 9:00 a.m. - **SFSC rule 12** — Mandatory settlement conferences: required in unlimited civil cases; typically set 30-60 days before trial ### Civil case management (SFSC) SFSC uses a "Fast Track" system under which cases are assigned to one of three tracks (expedited, standard, complex) and assigned to a judge from filing. The assigned judge manages the case from CMC to trial. ## Orange County Superior Court (OCSC) **Website**: https://www.occourts.org/ **Local rules**: https://www.occourts.org/general-public/local-rules/ ### Civil rules - **OCSC rule 354** — Law and motion reservations required; use the court's online scheduling system - **OCSC rule 358** — Tentative rulings: posted by 1:30 p.m. the court day before the hearing; parties must notify the court by 4:00 p.m. if they want to argue; otherwise tentative becomes final - **OCSC rule 360** — Complex litigation: designated complex cases go to the Probate Court Complex Civil Program (Department C16 or C17) - **OCSC rule 380** — Discovery motions require meet-and-confer declaration and an informal discovery conference (IDC) before a hearing will be scheduled in most departments ### Courthouses - **Central Justice Center** (700 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana): general civil and complex - **Lamoreaux Justice Center** (North Orange County): north- county unlimited civil - **Harbor Justice Center** (south county) ## San Diego Superior Court **Website**: https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/ **Local rules**: https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/sdcourt/civil2/civlcour - Civil Law and Motion heard in the Civil Business Office - Tentative rulings posted the day before the hearing - Complex Litigation Department (Dept. 73) ## Santa Clara Superior Court **Website**: https://www.scscourt.org/ **Local rules**: https://www.scscourt.org/court_divisions/civil/local_rules.shtml - Law and motion operated through the court's online reservation and tentative ruling system - Complex civil assigned to Department 1 (complex cases) ## Alameda County Superior Court **Website**: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/ **Local rules**: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/courts/local-rules - Civil law and motion heard in the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse (Oakland); assigned department handles motions - Tentative ruling system in effect ## General rules applicable statewide (CRC + local interaction) ### CRC 3.20 — Limits on local rules Local rules may not: - (1) be inconsistent with any other statute or rule of court - (2) require the filing of papers that would otherwise not require filing - (3) impose requirements beyond those required by the CRC without good cause This limits the extent to which a court can impose unique or burdensome local procedures. A local rule that conflicts with the CRC is invalid. ### CRC 3.400-3.403 — Complex litigation Cases may be designated complex if they involve multiple parties, difficult legal or factual issues, and substantial post-judgment judicial supervision. Complex cases are assigned to a single judge who manages the case through trial. Complex designation must be requested by a party or ordered sua sponte. Key complex indicators: multiple parties with separate representation, cross-claims or coordination issues, novel legal questions, anticipated discovery involving more than 20 depositions, or potential class action designation. ### CRC 2.540 — Electronic filing and service Electronic filing is now mandatory in most California Superior Courts for many case types. Each court has an approved electronic filing service provider. Local rules supplement CRC 2.540 with court-specific portal information. ## Ex parte applications — statewide rules Under CRC 3.1200-3.1207, an ex parte application requires: - Notice to all parties (unless notice is excused for good cause or is unnecessary because of the nature of the relief) - Notice by 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing (CRC 3.1203) - Declaration explaining why notice was given, or why it could not be or should not be required - Grounds: irreparable harm, immediate danger, or other good cause Each court implements ex parte practice through local rules; consult the local rules and the assigned department's courtroom information. ## ADR local rules CRC 3.890-3.898 establish the framework for court-ordered alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Most California Superior Courts have local ADR rules: - Mandatory mediation programs for unlimited civil cases (LASC, SFSC, OCSC, and others) - Judicial Arbitration for cases under the applicable amount-in-controversy ceiling (varies by court) - Neutral evaluation programs ADR proceedings are confidential under Cal. Evid. Code §§ 1115-1128 (mediation confidentiality). ## How to look up current local rules The court's official website is the authoritative source: | Court | URL | |-------|-----| | LASC | https://www.lacourt.org/division/civil/CI0078.aspx | | SFSC | https://www.sfsuperiorcourt.org/divisions/civil/local-rules | | OCSC | https://www.occourts.org/general-public/local-rules/ | | San Diego | https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/sdcourt/civil2/civlcour | | Santa Clara | https://www.scscourt.org/court_divisions/civil/local_rules.shtml | | Alameda | https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/courts/local-rules | | Contra Costa | https://www.cc-courts.org/courts/local-rules | | Sacramento | https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/general/docs/local-rules.pdf | | Fresno | https://www.fresno.courts.ca.gov/local_rules | | Riverside | https://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/local_rules | | San Bernardino | https://www.sb-court.org/local-rules | For any court not listed above, navigate to the court's homepage (findable from courts.ca.gov) and look for "Local Rules" under the Civil division. ## Inquiring about a local rule When the user asks about a specific local rule, the workflow is: 1. Identify the court (LASC? SFSC? OCSC? Other?) 2. Fetch the current local rules from the court's website 3. Locate the relevant rule 4. Quote the verbatim text and note the effective date 5. Flag any recent amendments Never paraphrase from memory in a filing or court-facing communication — pull the current text from the court's website.