Judge Michael P. Vicencia
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Page & Word Limits1 rule
The brief may not exceed 15 pages without prior leave of court.
- Page limit
- Up to 15 pages
- Trial brief
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Document Format Requirements4 rules
The digital copy for the judge must be in PDF format. All exhibits must be contained within one PDF. The first page of every exhibit must be bookmarked with the number of the exhibit.
- File type
- Exhibits
The parties must provide the clerk with a paper or "hard" copy of every exhibit. No exhibit may be used during trial unless the clerk has a copy. The clerk's exhibits should be in a binder and must be hard tabbed with the exhibit number.
An additional copy must be provided to the court, Word format, on a portable storage device such as a flash drive. The device will be returned after the court has loaded the document.
- File type
- Word
Exhibits may be projected in Department S-26 from a laptop or tablet using the court's projector and provided HDMI/VGA cables, with evidence presentation software or a simple PDF.
Court's wording
Department S-26 is equipped with a high definition projector and a ten foot, high -definition screen. This equipment is accessible from counsel table using either an HDMI or VGA cable. The cables are provided by the court. Parties may project exhibits to the court, jury and witnesses by loading all exhibits onto a laptop, tablet or other device. There are several evidence presentation software products on the market that can be used with the court's equipment. A simple PDF may also be used.
Document Filing Requirements9 rules
The joint exhibit list must be a chart with columns for exhibit number, brief description, page count, stipulation to admissibility, and stipulation to authentication.
Court's wording
The list must be in a chart format with columns showing 1) exhibit number, 2) a brief description of the exhibit, 3) the number of pages of the exhibit, 4) whether, after a meaningful meet and confer, the parties stipulate to the exhibit's admissibility, and 5) whether, after a meaningful meet and confer, the parties stipulate to the exhibit's authentication.
Exhibits require two copies: a paper copy for the clerk due the first day set for trial and a digital copy for the judge due at or prior to the FSC by e-filing or flash drive.
Court's wording
The court requires two copies of exhibits; one paper or "hard" copy for marking by the clerk and a digital copy for the judge. The digital copy must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by either e-filing or portable storage device such as a flash drive. The paper copy must be provided to the clerk on the first day set for trial.
For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC and develop a single joint list of CACI and special jury instructions in chart format.
Court's wording
Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint list of CACI and special jury instructions. The list must be in a chart format with columns showing 1) the number of the instruction, 2) a brief description of the instruction, 3) the party or parties requesting the
Parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC and develop a single joint witness list in chart format with six required columns (name, calling party, testimony description, interpreter needs, and direct/cross-examination time estimates).
Court's wording
Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint witness list. The list must be in a chart format with columns showing 1) The witness' name, 2) the party initially calling the witness, 3) a brief description of the witness' expected testimony, 4) whether the witness requires an interpreter and, if so, the language, 5) a considered and realistic time estimate of direct-examination, 6) a considered and realistic time estimate of cross-examination.
For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC to develop a single set of edited jury instructions, with editing responsibility assigned to the requesting party (or plaintiff if both parties demand a jury trial).
Court's wording
Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single set of jury instructions to be read to the jury. All jury instructions must be edited. The party requesting the instructions should edit the instruction. Instructions requested by both parties should be edited by the party demanding a jury trial. If both parties are demanding a jury trial, plaintiff should edit instructions requested by both parties.
Compliance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.1055 is mandatory.
For jury trials, parties must meet and confer at least 10 days before the FSC to develop a single special verdict form, with each side drafting the sections for which it bears the burden of proof before the meet and confer.
Court's wording
Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single special verdict form for submission to the jury. Plaintiff and any cross-complainants are to develop the first draft of those sections of the special verdict form for which they have the burden of proof, prior to the meet and confer. Defendants and any cross-defendants are to develop the first draft of those sections of the special verdict form for which they have the burden of proof, prior to the meet and confer.
All parties are encouraged to submit trial briefs on the first day of trial. The brief should address the factual and legal support for all causes of action and defenses each party intends to pursue at trial. Evidence should not be attached, but reference to digital exhibits with hyperlinks, is encouraged.
The list should avoid duplication.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All documents filed in Department S26 must be submitted by mandatory electronic filing.
All documents: Mandatory E-Filing
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
Trial Exhibits: Received in Courtroom
Trial Exhibits: Received in Courtroom
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)
The final joint exhibit list must be provided to the court at or prior to the final status conference by e-filing.
The final list must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by e-filing.
Page 2 | Exhibit List
The final special verdict form must be e-filed at or prior to the final status conference (jury trials only).
The final version of the special verdict must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by e-filing.
Page 4 | Special Verdict (for jury trials only)
Proposed jury instructions must be e-filed at or prior to the final status conference (jury trials only).
The proposed instructions must be provided to the court at or prior to the FSC by e-filing.
Page 4 | Jury Instructions (for jury trials only)
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
All parties must hold a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint exhibit list at least 10 days before the final status conference.
Not less than ten days prior to the final status conference, all parties are ordered to have a meaningful meet and confer and develop a single joint exhibit list.
Page 2 | Exhibit List
Courtesy Copy Requirements
No courtesy copies are required for any filings in this department.
Courtesy Copies: None required
Page 1 | DOCUMENTS (Filing/Receiving/Processing)