Judge William E. Weinberger
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Upon request
Joint Exhibit List, Joint Witness List, Joint Jury Instructions, Joint Statement to Jury, Proposed Verdict Form, Motion in Limine
- Five Court Days Before Final Status Conference
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Page & Word Limits3 rules
At least three court days before an IDC, the parties must submit a joint brief of no more than six pages setting forth the issues to be discussed.
- IDC joint brief
- Up to 6 pages
Any brief should be served and filed not later than the final status conference and should not exceed 15 pages.
- Page limit
- Up to 15 pages
- Trial brief
A trial brief of no more than 15 pages must be served and filed no later than the final status conference.
- Trial brief
- Up to 15 pages
Document Format Requirements3 rules
If there are more than five motions in limine, the parties must submit a separate notebook containing the motion,
All the trial documents must be tabbed and placed in a notebook that includes a table of contents.
Place the exhibit list as the index in front of the exhibit book, and place tabs in the book to correspond with the exhibit number. If an exhibit contains more than one page, the pages must be internally numbered (i.e., 3.1, 3.2, etc.). If any document is listed by multiple parties, it should have only one exhibit number.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Multi-page exhibits must be internally numbered (i.e., 3.1, 3.2, etc.)
Document Filing Requirements17 rules
Ex parte applications are reserved for exigent circumstances. The applicant shall comply with CRC 3.1202(c): "An applicant must make an affirmative factual showing in a declaration containing competent testimony based on personal knowledge of irreparable harm, immediate danger, or any other statutory basis for granting relief ex parte."
The Court expects the parties' counsel and any self-represented parties to work together to jointly prepare and submit the binders required by the order at least five days before the FSC.
The joint witness list must list each witness once with expected testimony time per witness and a total estimated testimony time at the end.
Court's wording
All witnesses must be listed on one list. Do not repeat the name of a witness who will be called by more than one party. Next to each witness, indicate the total time expected for that testimony (including direct, cross, redirect, etc.) At the end of the list, calculate the total amount of time estimated for testimony.
At trial, the parties must provide exhibit notebooks for the Court, the Judicial Assistant, the witness, and the opposing parties. The parties must also provide the Judicial Assistant with a complete exhibit list. Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53.
Notebooks containing all exhibits must be available on the FSC date and all parties must be prepared to tell the Court that they have had the opportunity to review all documents in the exhibit book.
The joint exhibit list must contain all exhibits on one list with numbered descriptions and columns for marking, receipt into evidence, and stipulations to authenticity and admissibility.
Court's wording
All exhibits must be listed on one list, identified by a number and brief description with columns for the clerk and Court to use to indicate whether the exhibit is marked and received into evidence. There should be a column to reflect stipulations to authenticity and a column for stipulations to admissibility.
A proposed order with a disposition table for all jury instructions must be submitted with the joint jury instructions.
- Document
- Joint jury instructions
Include
- •Proposed order
Court's wording
Submit a proposed order which contains a disposition table listing all jury instructions by number, the identity of the party or parties proposing the instruction, and which contains columns for the court to indicate whether the instruction is given, modified, withdrawn, or refused.
Joint jury instructions must be submitted as a complete CACI notebook with no brackets, blanks, tear sheets, or disposition boxes, with disputed instructions in separate identified sets.
Court's wording
Submit a notebook with a joint set of CACI instructions with all information filled in, no remaining brackets or blanks. Do not use tear sheets for the instructions and do not include the disposition box on the page of the individual instruction. If some instructions are disputed, submit a separate set or sets indicating the party proposing and opposing the instruction.
Parties must jointly file a proposed verdict form acceptable to all sides, or if they cannot agree, each party must separately submit a proposed verdict form.
Court's wording
The parties shall prepare and jointly file a proposed general or special verdict form acceptable to all sides. Local Rule 3.25(g)(8). If the parties cannot agree on a joint verdict form, each party must separately submit a proposed verdict form. Any proposed special verdict should be in a form that is easily used by the jury and does not require the jury to answer unnecessary questions.
The parties must submit a joint exhibit list and joint witness list as described above.
- Document
- Joint exhibit list and witness list
Must include
- •Exhibit list
The Court strongly encourages the parties to bring a court reporter for trial. If no court reporter is used, the parties must jointly prepare a summary of the day's proceedings, including a detailed summary of the testimony of any witness, and lodge it in the courtroom the next morning before proceedings resume, for use in a Settled Statement if the Court's judgment is appealed.
At the Final Status Conference, the parties must submit a joint trial notebook, tabbed and containing: • Operative complaint and cross-complaints, if any • Operative answers • Copies of minute orders sustaining demurrers or motions to strike pleadings that have not been covered by amendments • Minute orders or any motions for summary adjudication that were granted • Joint Short Statement of the Case • Joint Witness List • Joint Exhibit List
- Document
- Joint trial notebook
Must include
- •Exhibit list
The reservation number should be placed in bold on the caption page of all motion papers.
- Document
- Motion
- Placement
- Caption
should not exceed the trial estimate given at the case management conference, including the allocation of one day for jury selection and one day for deliberations. For example, a 5-day trial estimate means no more than 3 days of testimony.
Motions in Iimine should not be used to seek summary judgment, summary adjudication of issues, or judgment on the pleadings.
This statement should be a brief, neutral description of the case. In most instances, the joint statement should not exceed two to three paragraphs.
Trial briefs are optional but are highly recommended in jury trials. Trial briefs are required for court trials.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All documents must be electronically filed unless the litigants and filings qualify for an exemption pursuant to the First Amended General Order re Superior Court of Los Angeles County- Mandatory Electronic Filing for Civil, dated May 3, 2019.
All documents must be electronically filed unless the litigants and filings qualify for an exemption pursuant to the First Amended General Order re Superior Court of Los Angeles County- Mandatory Electronic Filing for Civil, dated May 3, 2019.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Parties must reserve hearing dates for all law and motion matters through the online Court Reservation System (CRS).
Parties must reserve a date for all law and motion hearings via the online Court Reservation System ("CRS") on the Los Angeles Court website "LA Court Online, Court Reservation System."
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW & MOTION
Parties must email an electronic WORD version of the verdict form to the courtroom email address.
The parties must submit an electronic version of the verdict form in WORD via email to the courtroom email address.
Civil cases
Page 6 | JURY TRIALS
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Each party must file a case management statement at least 15 days before the case management conference.
Each party must file a case management statement at least 15 days before the conference as required by CRC 3.725(a).
Civil cases
Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
The parties must submit the joint IDC brief, setting forth the issues to be discussed, at least three court days before the IDC by emailing it to smcdept413@lacourt.org.
At least three court days before an IDC, the parties must submit a joint brief of no more than six pages setting forth the issues to be discussed. The joint brief should be emailed to smcdept413@lacourt.org.
Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Written oppositions to motions in limine may be served and filed no later than the final status conference.
A written opposition to a motion in Iimine may be served and filed no later than the final status conference.
Civil cases
Page 4 | LAW & MOTION
Ex parte applications must be filed by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before the ex parte hearing, unless the litigant is exempt from e-filing.
Unless a litigant is exempt from e-filing, counsel must file the application by 10:00 a.m. on the court day before the Ex Parte hearing.
Civil cases
Page 4 | LAW & MOTION
Motions in limine must be filed with the court five court days before the final status conference or they will be deemed untimely (sentence continues from the prior page).
court five court days prior to the final status conference, or they will be deemed untimely.
Civil cases
Page 4 | LAW & MOTION
Motions in limine must be submitted to the Court five court days before the final status conference or they will be deemed untimely.
Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the Court five court days prior to the FSC, or they will be deemed untimely.
Civil cases
Page 6 | JURY TRIALS
Any brief should be served and filed not later than the final status conference and should not exceed 15 pages.
Any brief should be served and filed not later than the final status conference and should not exceed 15 pages.
Civil cases
Page 7 | TRIAL BRIEFS
Replies are not required but may be served and filed no later than the Friday preceding the trial date.
Replies are not required but may be served and filed no later than the Friday preceding the trial date.
Civil cases
Page 4 | LAW & MOTION
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Under CRC 3.110, the complaint must be served on all named defendants and proof of service must be filed within 60 days after the complaint is filed.
Counsel are reminded that pursuant to CRC 3.110, the complaint must be served on all named defendants and proof of service must be filed with the Court within 60 days after the filing of the complaint.
Civil cases
Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
All defendants must be served with the complaint by the time of the case management conference.
All defendants must be served with the complaint by the time of the CMC.
Civil cases
Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the Court five court days prior to the FSC, or they will be deemed untimely.
Motions in limine must be served on the opposing party and submitted to the Court five court days prior to the FSC, or they will be deemed untimely.
Civil cases
Page 6 | JURY TRIALS
Papers required to be served under this order must be served in a manner calculated to reach the other party no later than the date indicated, and the parties are encouraged to agree on the service method (e.g., email).
NOTE RE SERVICE: Any papers required to be served on another party pursuant to this order must be served in a manner calculated to reach that party no later than the date indicated in this order. The parties are encouraged to agree on the method (e.g., by email).
Civil cases
Page 7 | NOTE RE SERVICE
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Parties must meet and confer and file the listed trial documents five court days before the final status conference, with courtesy copies provided to Department 413.
The parties must meet and confer and submit the following documents FIVE COURT DAYS BEFORE THE FINAL STATUS CONFERENCE. The following documents are to be filed in accordance with the court's standing order with courtesy copies provided to Department 413.
Civil cases
Page 5 | JURY TRIALS
Courtesy copies of motion papers are not required, though the Court may request courtesy copies of specified documents in a particular case.
Counsel are not expected to submit courtesy copies of motion papers to the Department. The Court may require parties to provide courtesy copies of specified documents in a particular case.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
An Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) is expected to occur before the hearing on any discovery-related motion.
The Court expects that an Informal Discovery Conference (IDC) will occur before the hearing on any motion relating to a discovery dispute.
Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Parties must make good faith efforts to meet and confer in person, by telephone, or by video conference to resolve or narrow discovery disputes (CCP § 2016.040).
faith efforts to meet and confer in person, by telephone or by video conference, to resolve or narrow the discovery dispute. (See CCP § 2016.040.)
Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
Trial counsel must meet in person or by telephone or video conference well before the FSC to address the submission of joint trial readiness documents.
The Court requires trial counsel to meet in person or by telephone or video conference well before the FSC concerning the submission of joint trial readiness documents. Local Rule 3.25(g).
Civil cases
Page 4 | TRIAL PROCEDURES
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Parties must use CRS to continue or withdraw motions and must also call the courtroom to notify it of the change.
Parties must use CRS to continue or withdraw motions; please also call the courtroom so we are aware of the change.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW & MOTION
If not all defendants have been served, plaintiff must request additional time for service in compliance with CRC 3.110(g).
If all defendants have not been served, plaintiff or plaintiff's counsel must comply with CRC 3.ll0(g) to request additional time for service.
Civil cases
Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
Extensions of the service time requirements may be requested in accordance with CRC 3.110(e).
Extensions of the time requirements may be requested in accordance with CRC 3.ll0(e).
Civil cases
Page 2 | CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCES
Chambers Communication Rules
If parties/counsel are going to be late for hearing, please contact the court staff.
If parties/counsel are going to be late for hearing, please contact the court staff.
Civil cases
Page 1 | GENERAL INFORMATION
IDC requests are made by emailing smcdept413@lacourt.ca.gov with three available 11:00 a.m. dates; the clerk confirms the date and provides the call-in number.
To request an IDC, counsel should email the Court smcdept413@lacourt.ca.gov with three dates when counsel are available at 11:00 a.m. The courtroom clerk will confirm the IDC date and provide the phone number that counsel must call.
Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY
For IDCs, counsel initiate the conference call and call the Court at the clerk-provided number only after all counsel are on the line.
Counsel initiate the conference call and, when all counsel are on the line, then call the Court at the number provided by the courtroom clerk.
Civil cases
Page 3 | DISCOVERY