Judge Benjamin Reyes II
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
Motion in Limine, Opposition, Related Filed Papers
- 4 Pm Two Court Days Before Trial
Binding: Tabbed Three Ring
Other Persons List
Account, Report, Petition
Court-wide- At Filing
- Probate:Upon Filing
Adjournments
Court-wideRequest must include
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Clerk
Phone
Court-widePhone
Court-widePhone
Court-widePage & Word Limits1 rule
[ ] File and serve trial brief not to exceed 20 pages
- Trial brief
- Up to 20 pages
- Brief
Document Format Requirements8 rules
At first appearance for trial, each party must provide at least three conforming, pre-marked trial-exhibit binders—one for the clerk, one for the witness stand, and one for the judge—and electronically index electronically submitted exhibits.
- Trial exhibits
Formatting
- •Provide each party a pre-marked copy of its exhibits
Court's wording
Each exhibit on the Master Exhibit List shall be designated by and pre-marked with a separate numerical identifier and indexed electronically, if submitted electronically through a thumb drive. At trial, the Court expects that when an exhibit is used it will already be marked and identified on the Master Exhibit List and that all Parties will have a pre-marked copy. Each Party is responsible for providing, at first appearance for trial, at least three binders, with copies of their trial exhibits (one for the Clerk of the Court, one for the witness stand, and one for the Judge) conforming to the Master Exhibit List.
Department 16 prefers electronic copies of documents loaded on a thumb drive or other solid state memory device that may be plugged into a USB port. (No CD or DVD ROM discs.)
Formatting
- •CD or DVD ROM discs are not accepted
If the Parties wish to submit digital copies of the Binders on a thumb drive (preferred), please ensure that the digital copies are prepared with an index or indices for easy access to the motions and/or all exhibits.
The proposed jury instructions and jury verdict forms shall be divided into two sets for the Court.
Each Party’s authorities on contested jury instructions are to be noted on the instructions or verdict forms.
No duplicates should be provided.
Formatting
- •Do not provide duplicate proposed jury instructions or verdict forms
No “blank” or incomplete jury instructions or jury verdict forms should be provided.
- Jury instructions
Formatting
- •Do not provide blank or incomplete jury instructions or jury verdict forms
Department 16 prefers electronic or digital copies of referenced pretrial documents, downloaded onto a thumb drive and properly indexed for the Court's access.
Formatting
- •Electronic or digital copies are preferred
- •Electronic or digital copies should be downloaded onto a thumb drive
Court's wording
It is Department 16’s preference to accept Digital Exhibits electronic or digital copies of documents referred in these pre-trial orders. The term “binder” or “binders” used herein also refers to and includes to electronic or digital copies of the documents requested downloaded onto a thumb drive and properly indexed for easy access by the Court.
Document Filing Requirements1 rule
The Parties shall, thereafter, meet and confer regarding such trial exhibits at the Advance Trial Conference, as set forth further below.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The Court prefers digital documents, discourages paper documents unless necessary, and may excuse electronic exhibit preparation for parties unable or unskilled in preparing electronic copies.
The Court discourages the use of paper documents, unless necessary. Exceptions to the digital preference may be made by the Court for Parties who lack the ability or skill to prepare electronic copies of exhibits.
Civil cases
Page 3 | I. INTRODUCTION
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The parties must file a witness list at least 10 calendar days before trial.
Not less than ten (10) calendar days in advance of the first day of Trial date, the Parties shall file and serve a witness list of the witnesses that they actually expect to call as witnesses at trial (the “Witness List”) in accordance with Local Rule 3.11(c)(2).
Civil cases
Page 3 | II. WITNESS LISTS AND TRIAL EXHIBITS
At least 10 calendar days before trial, the parties must exchange all potential trial exhibits and an exhibit list.
Not less than ten (10) calendar days in advance of the trial date, the Parties shall exchange copies of all potential trial exhibits, including discovery responses, to be used at trial, along with an exhibit list.
Civil cases
Page 4 | II. WITNESS LISTS AND TRIAL EXHIBITS
All motions in limine must be filed at least 10 calendar days before trial.
Any motions in limine shall be filed and served not less 10 than ten (10) calendar days in advance of the first date of trial.
Civil cases
Page 4 | II. MOTIONS IN LIMINE
An opposition or other response to a motion in limine must be filed at least four calendar days before trial.
Any opposition or other response to a motion in limine shall be filed and served not less than four (4) calendar days in advance of the first date of trial.
Civil cases
Page 4 | II. MOTIONS IN LIMINE
The Parties must meet and confer in person or remotely at least three (3) court days before trial.
Not less than three (3) court days in advance of the trial date, the Parties shall meet and confer in a face-to-face or Zoom or other remote conference (the “Advance Trial Conference”) as to the following:
Civil cases
Page 5 | III. ADVANCED TRIAL CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARTIES
Audio or visual presentations must be tested before use before the jury, and written objections must be submitted to the court at least two court days before trial.
All audio or visual presentations are to be tested before use in front of the jury. All objections are to be submitted to the Court in writing at least two (2) court days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 6 | III. ADVANCED TRIAL CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARTIES
Written objections to discovery or depositions proffered at trial must be filed and served at least two court days before trial.
All objections are to be filed and served in writing at least two (2) Court days before trial.
Civil cases
Page 6 | III. ADVANCED TRIAL CONFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARTIES
Service and Proof of Service Rules
The parties must serve a witness list at least 10 calendar days before trial.
Not less than ten (10) calendar days in advance of the first day of Trial date, the Parties shall file and serve a witness list of the witnesses that they actually expect to call as witnesses at trial (the “Witness List”) in accordance with Local Rule 3.11(c)(2).
Civil cases
Page 3 | II. WITNESS LISTS AND TRIAL EXHIBITS
An opposition or other response to a motion in limine must be served at least four calendar days before trial.
Any opposition or other response to a motion in limine shall be filed and served not less than four (4) calendar days in advance of the first date of trial.
Civil cases
Page 4 | II. MOTIONS IN LIMINE
All motions in limine must be served at least 10 calendar days before trial.
Any motions in limine shall be filed and served not less 10 than ten (10) calendar days in advance of the first date of trial.
Civil cases
Page 4 | II. MOTIONS IN LIMINE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
No later than 4:00 pm two (2) court days in advance of the trial date (typically the Thursday before a Monday trial date) . When using binders, courtesy copies of all filed motions in limine shall be provided to the Court in a tabbed binder together with any opposition and/or related filed papers. Each binder shall have an index of the papers. Each Party is responsible for assembling and providing such binder to the Court as to their own filed motions in limine (with any related papers as set forth above). Failure to do so may result in denial of the motion. This provision supersedes the provisions regarding lodging courtesy copies as set forth in Local Rule 3.11(b).
No later than 4:00 pm two (2) court days in advance of the trial date (typically the Thursday before a Monday trial date) . When using binders, courtesy copies of all filed motions in limine shall be provided to the Court in a tabbed binder together with any opposition and/or related filed papers. Each binder shall have an index of the papers. Each Party is responsible for assembling and providing such binder to the Court as to their own filed motions in limine (with any related papers as set forth above). Failure to do so may result in denial of the motion. This provision supersedes the provisions regarding lodging courtesy copies as set forth in Local Rule 3.11(b).
Civil cases
Page 4 | II. MOTIONS IN LIMINE
One courtesy copy of the Other Persons List must be lodged at the first appearance for trial.
A courtesy copy of the Other Persons List shall be lodged at first appearance for trial.
Civil cases
Page 7 | III. WITNESS LISTS AND TRIAL EXHIBITS
The Court accepts courtesy copies of physical-paper exhibit binders, but they are unnecessary when electronic copies are provided on thumb drives.
Courtesy copies of binders of physical paper copies will be accepted by the Court, but are not necessary if electronic copies are provided on thumb drives.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Preference for Electronic or Digital Exhibits
Chambers Communication Rules
Make appointment with Court Clerk (925) 608-1116.
Make appointment with Court Clerk (925) 608-1116.
Civil cases
Page 2 | SUMMARY OF DEADLINES