Judge Julian C. Recana
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits4 rules
no longer than three pages setting forth the outstanding issues.
- Page limit
- Up to 3 pages
no longer than three pages setting forth the outstanding issues.
- Page limit
- Up to 3 pages
The responding party may file and serve a responsive memorandum of no more than three pages at least two court days prior to the IDC.
- Responsive memorandum
- Up to 3 pages
The responding party may file and serve a responsive memorandum of no more than three pages at least two court days prior to the IDC.
- Responsive IDC memorandum
- Up to 3 pages
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Each exhibit must be separately numbered, with the numbers corresponding to the number of theexhibit on the joint exhibit list. If an exhibit contains more than one page, the pages must be internally numbered, i.e., 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 etc.
Leave at least four inches of blank space of the top of every page of any proposed special jury instructions, or any addenda to form instructions.
- Margins
- Top 4 inches
- Jury instructions
Leave at least four inches of blank space of the top of every page of any proposed special jury instructions, or any addenda to form instructions.
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
The following FSC documents must be provided to the Court prior to the FSC:
The parties must submit a joint list of all witnesses they actually intend to call, with per-witness time estimates for direct, cross, and redirect testimony and a total estimated testimony time at the end.
Court's wording
5. JOINT WITNESS LIST AND TRIAL SCHEDULE. The parties must submit a joint list of all witnesses each party actually intends to call. Next to each witness, indicate the total time estimated for that witness's testimony (including direct, cross, and redirect). Make realistic time estimates. At the end of the list, total the time estimated for testimony.
3. JOINT STATEMENT OF THE CASE (which will be read by the Court to the prospective jurors).
The parties must provide both a paper "trial notebook" for the Court and submit FSC/trial documents electronically.
In compliance with SCLAC Rule 3.57, all motions in limine must be accompanied by a sworn declaration attesting that the subject of the motion has been discussed with the opposing party, setting forth the opposing party's position regarding the motions, and must be submitted with timely statutory notice so the motion in limine can be heard at the FSC.
4. JOINT EXHIBIT LIST AND EXHIBITS. The parties shall work together to provide exhibits electronically, if feasible.
Motions in limine must be accompanied by a sworn declaration confirming discussion with opposing party and their position.
Court's wording
all motions in limine must be accompanied by a sworn declaration attesting that the subject of the motion has been discussed with the opposing party, setting forth the opposing party’s position regarding the motions, and must be submitted with timely statutory notice so the motion in limine can be heard at the FSC.
If no court reporter is used, the parties must jointly prepare a summary of the day's proceedings and lodge it in the courtroom the next morning before proceedings resume.
Before submitting the instructions, counsel must fill in the blanks, make any appropriate modifications, and comply with SCLAC 3.170 to 3.171.
As to experts that counsel intends to call at trial, no later than the FSC, Counsel shall present to the Court and opposing counsel a copy of the Code of Civil Procedure section 2034.260 declaration that states the substance of the proffered opinion.
Use CACI for form instructions.
- Document
- Proposed jury instructions
Include
- •Use CACI for form instructions
The parties are to submit a joint set of instructions, plus a set of instructions from each side to which there are objections.
The parties shall provide the full text of all requested instructions (not just a list).
The parties are to meet and confer in advance and then file proposed general or special verdict forms.
All civil actions filed after January 1, 2024, are subject to the initial discovery disclosures requirements of CCP § 2016.090. The Court may enforce the requirements of section 2016.090 on its own motion or on the motion of a party.
The email must include the case number and identify the party submitting on the tentative with a copy (cc) to opposing counsel.
- Document
- Submit on tentative email
Must include
- •Case number
The first paragraph shall be formatted as follows: (1) a neutral statement of the dispute; and (2) one to three sentences describing (not arguing) each party's position.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Plaintiffs must e-file Notice of Settlement using Judicial Council Form CM-200.
Notice of Settlement must be eFiled by plaintiff using Judicial Council Form CM-200, even if the case is settled at a Judicial mandatory settlement conference.
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Ex parte applications and supporting documents must be electronically filed by 10:00 am the court day before the hearing.
All ex parte applications and documents in support thereof must be electronically filed no later than 10:00 am the court day before the hearing.
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Self-represented litigants are exempt from mandatory e-filing requirements for ex parte applications and related documents.
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.253(b)(2), self-represented litigants are exempt from these mandatory Electronic Filing requirements.
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Ex parte applications and all supporting documents must be e-filed no later than 10:00 a.m. the court day before the hearing.
All ex parte applications and documents in support thereof must be electronically filed no later than 10:00 am the court day before the hearing.
Page 4 | Ex Parte Applications
Written opposition to an ex parte application must be e-filed by 8:30 a.m. on the day of the hearing.
Any written opposition shall be electronically filed by 8:30 am on the day of the hearing.
Page 4 | Ex Parte Applications
Plaintiff must eFile the Notice of Settlement on Judicial Council Form CM-200, even if the case settled at a Judicial mandatory settlement conference.
Notice of Settlement must be eFiled by plaintiff using Judicial Council Form CM-200, even if the case is settled at a Judicial mandatory settlement conference.
Page 4 | Notice of Settlement / Request for Dismissal
The parties must provide both a paper "trial notebook" for the Court and submit FSC/trial documents electronically.
The parties must provide both a paper "trial notebook" for the Court and submit FSC/trial documents electronically.
Page 6 | Final Status Conference (FSC)
The parties must work together to provide exhibits electronically when feasible.
The parties shall work together to provide exhibits electronically, if feasible.
Page 6 | Final Status Conference (FSC)
Self-represented litigants are exempt from the mandatory electronic filing requirements for ex parte applications and oppositions under CRC 2.253(b)(2).
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.253(b)(2), self-represented litigants are exempt from these mandatory Electronic Filing requirements.
Page 4 | Ex Parte Applications
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Case management statements must be filed at least 7 calendar days before the scheduled CMC.
Case Management Statements must be filed at least seven (7) calendar days before the date scheduled for the case management conference (CMC).
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Case Management Statements must be filed at least seven (7) calendar days before the scheduled case management conference.
Case Management Statements must be filed at least seven (7) calendar days before the date scheduled for the case management conference (CMC).
Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE (CMC)
Scheduling an IDC does not toll the deadline for filing a discovery motion unless the parties stipulate to toll deadlines.
California Code of Civil Procedure § 2016.080 has been repealed, therefore the scheduling of an IDC does not toll the deadline for filing a discovery motion unless the parties stipulate to toll deadlines.
Page 3 | Informal Discovery Conferences
Counsel intending to submit on the tentative may email the court by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the hearing; if all counsel submit, the Court adopts the tentative, and if no email is received and no one appears, the motion may be placed off calendar.
Counsel who intend to submit on the tentative may send an email to the court by 8:00 a.m. the day of the hearing.
Page 3 | Law and Motion
Ex parte applications and supporting documents must be filed by 10:00 am the court day before the hearing.
All ex parte applications and documents in support thereof must be electronically filed no later than 10:00 am the court day before the hearing.
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Ex parte written oppositions must be e-filed by 8:30 am on the day of the hearing.
Any written opposition shall be electronically filed by 8:30 am on the day of the hearing.
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The responding party may file and serve a responsive memorandum of no more than three pages at least two court days prior to the IDC.
The responding party may file and serve a responsive memorandum of no more than three pages at least two court days prior to the IDC.
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Absent an exemption, ex parte applications must be filed by 10:00 a.m. on the court day prior to the hearing and must comply with CRC 3.1200 et seq.; hearings are held each day at the end of the morning calendar.
Ex parte applications are heard each day at the end of the morning calendar. Absent an exemption, you must file the application by 10:00 am on the court day prior to the ex parte hearing. Ex parte applications must comply with CRC 3.1200 et seq.
Page 4 | Ex Parte Applications
The responding party may file and serve a responsive memorandum of no more than three pages at least two court days prior to the IDC.
The responding party may file and serve a responsive memorandum of no more than three pages at least two court days prior to the IDC.
Page 4 | Informal Discovery Conferences
Motions in limine and bifurcation motions must be filed and served with proper statutory notice and set for hearing on the FSC date.
1. MOTIONS IN LIMINE AND BIFURCATION MOTIONS must have been filed and served with proper statutory notice and set for hearing on the FSC date. SCLAC Rule 3.25 (f)(2).
Page 6 | Final Status Conference (FSC)
After the notice of settlement of the entire case is eFiled, all future appearances are taken off calendar and an OSC re dismissal is scheduled approximately 45 days from the filing date.
Once notice of settlement of the entire case is eFiled, all future appearances will be taken off calendar and an OSC re dismissal will be scheduled approximately forty-five (45) days from the filing date.
Page 4 | Notice of Settlement / Request for Dismissal
Lodged trial binders must be picked up within two weeks of filing the Notice of Settlement or they will be discarded.
If trial binders were lodged prior to settlement, they must be picked up within two weeks of filing the Notice of Settlement or they will be discarded.
Page 4 | Notice of Settlement / Request for Dismissal
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Parties using e-filing must accept electronic service except when personal service is required by law or any party is self-represented.
Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6, local Rule 3.4, and General Order 2019-GEN-014-00 issued May 3, 2019, the Court orders all parties who use e-filing to accept electronic service, except in those circumstances when personal service is required by law or where any of the parties are self-represented.
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All parties who use e-filing must accept electronic service, except where personal service is required by law or where any party is self-represented.
Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §1010.6, local Rule 3.4, and General Order 2019-GEN-014-00 issued May 3, 2019, the Court orders all parties who use e-filing to accept electronic service, except in those circumstances when personal service is required by law or where any of the parties are self-represented.
Page 3 | Law and Motion
Filing Fees and Waivers
A party with a fee waiver under CRC 3.55(7) may request an official court reporter by filing form FW-020 before the hearing or trial.
A party who has received a fee waiver pursuant to CRC 3.55(7) may request an official court reporter by filing form FW-020 https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/jcc-form/FW-020 before the hearing or trial (See CRC 2.956(c)).
Page 2 | General Information
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Absent a showing of good cause, the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before the IDC process is concluded.
Absent a showing of good cause, the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before the IDC process is concluded.
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Trial counsel must meet and confer in person, by telephone, or by videoconference to resolve or narrow a discovery dispute before pursuing a motion; merely exchanging letters or emails is insufficient.
The Court strongly discourages discovery motions and encourages informal resolution of discovery disputes. Trial counsel must meet and confer in person, by telephone, or videoconference to resolve or narrow discovery a discovery dispute. Merely exchanging letters or emails is insufficient.
Page 3 | Informal Discovery Conferences
Counsel may request an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) via form LACIV094 before moving on a discovery dispute, and absent good cause the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before the IDC process concludes.
If the dispute remains unresolved, counsel may request an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) by filing an IDC request [LACIV094] See https://www.lacourt.org/forms/pdf/LACIV094.pdf. The court will review the request and issue an order granting or denying the request. If granted, the clerk will schedule an IDC. The IDC should eliminate any need for a motion. Absent a showing of good cause, the Court may continue any discovery motion filed before the IDC process is concluded.
Page 3 | Informal Discovery Conferences
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Parties must reserve law and motion hearing dates through the Court Reservation System (CRS) and must use CRS to continue or withdraw motions, informing the courtroom of the change.
The Court hears law and motion on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parties must reserve a date for all law and motion hearings via the Court Reservation System (CRS). Parties must use CRS to continue or withdraw motions and inform the courtroom of the change.
Page 3 | Law and Motion
Chambers Communication Rules
Counsel who intend to submit on the tentative may send an email to the court by 8:00 a.m. the day of the hearing. The email must include the case number and identify the party submitting on the tentative with a copy (cc) to opposing counsel.
Counsel who intend to submit on the tentative may send an email to the court by 8:00 a.m. the day of the hearing. The email must include the case number and identify the party submitting on the tentative with a copy (cc) to opposing counsel.
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Email: NORDept-L@lacourt.ca.gov
Email: NORDept-L@lacourt.ca.gov
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The department may be contacted by email at NORDept-L@lacourt.ca.gov during court hours of Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Telephone Number: 562-345-3705 Email: NORDept-L@lacourt.ca.gov Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm & 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Page 1 | General Information
Litigants seeking assistance from the Clerk's Office should call Court Support Services at 562-345-3700.
For assistance from the Clerk's Office, please call the Court Support Services number at 562-345-3700.
Page 1 | Self-represented Litigants
Department L chambers can be contacted via phone at 562-345-3705 during specified hours.
Telephone Number: 562-345-3705
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