Judge Carmen Luege
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not required
In Limine Motion, Opposition
- Wednesday Before Trial
Binding: Three Ring Binder
Communication
Phone
Document Filing Requirements5 rules
No later than the Wednesday prior to the commencement of trial file a signed Statement of Compliance (Form L0081)
Each in limine motion shall be assigned a number, which must be set forth on the face page of the motion, along with the identity of the party bringing the motion
Exhibits on the Portal must be identified by numbers only, with no special characters, letters, or party designations.
Court's wording
Only numbers shall be used to identify an exhibit on the Portal. No special characters or letters shall be added to the exhibit number. Please do not designate exhibits as plaintiff's or defendant's exhibit.
Before uploading exhibits to the Portal, if the document is not bate-stamped, page numbers shall be placed on each page of a multiple-page document.
Verdict forms shall not list Doe defendants or contain the identity or address of any attorney.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Parties must e-file the Notice of Withdrawal prior to the hearing.
This does not absolve the parties of the requirement to e-file and serve the Notice of Withdrawal prior to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION
All trial exhibits, including impeachment exhibits, must be uploaded using the Electronic Evidence Portal unless the Court grants an exception in advance.
Absent an exception granted by the Court in advance of trial, all exhibits, including exhibits to be used for impeachment, shall be uploaded using the Electronic Evidence Portal located in the Orange County Superior Court website (www.occourts.org/online-services/electronic-evidence-portal).
Civil cases
Page 4 | Exhibits and the Electronic Evidence Portal
Agreed-upon verdict forms must be e-filed, with a copy in the Joint Trial Notebook, by the Wednesday before trial.
If the Parties agree on the verdict form(s), they shall e-file the agreed-upon verdict form(s), with a copy included in the Joint Trial Notebook, no later than the Wednesday prior to the commencement of trial.
Civil cases
Page 7 | Trial Procedures
If parties cannot agree, each side must e-file its proposed verdict form by the Wednesday before trial, and both versions must be included in the Joint Trial Notebook.
If the Parties cannot agree on a verdict form(s), each side shall e-file its proposed verdict form(s) (titled “Plaintiff’s [Defendant’s] Proposed Verdict Form”), no later than the Wednesday prior to the commencement of trial, and both versions shall be included in the Joint Trial Notebook.
Civil cases
Page 7 | Trial Procedures
A normal-size paper version of any exhibit enlargement ('blow-up') must be uploaded to the Portal and treated as the official exhibit.
When using exhibit enlargements, such "blow-ups," the party shall upload a normal size paper version of the enlarged exhibit to the Portal which shall be treated as the official exhibit.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Exhibits and the Electronic Evidence Portal
Video and audio exhibits must be uploaded to the Portal.
If any party plans to use a video or audio exhibit, the video or audio shall be uploaded to the Portal.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Exhibits and the Electronic Evidence Portal
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Exhibits must be uploaded to the Portal no later than the Wednesday before trial.
Exhibits shall be uploaded to the Portal no later than the Wednesday before trial.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Exhibits and the Electronic Evidence Portal
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Parties must serve the Notice of Withdrawal prior to the hearing.
This does not absolve the parties of the requirement to e-file and serve the Notice of Withdrawal prior to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Printed copies of in limine motions and oppositions must be delivered to the Courtroom Clerk in C16 in a three-ring binder (preferably two-inch) the Wednesday before trial.
The Wednesday prior to the trial date, the parties shall deliver to the Courtroom Clerk in C16 printed copies of the in limine motions, including the oppositions, which shall be placed in a three-ring binder separate from the court's trial notebook. The Court prefers two-inch binders.
Civil cases
Page 4 | TRIAL PROCEDURES
Do not send courtesy copies to the Court for law and motion matters.
Please do not send the Court courtesy copies.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION
Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Impeachment exhibits may be marked as 'confidential' when uploading to the Portal.
When uploading impeachment evidence you may mark the exhibit as "confidential" as explained in the "Video Instructions to Upload Evidence for Civil Unlimited Cases."
Civil cases
Page 4 | Exhibits and the Electronic Evidence Portal
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
In limine motions must be exchanged and discussed no later than the Issue Conference, with a good-faith meet-and-confer requirement.
In limine motions must be exchanged and discussed no later than the Issue Conference. See Local Rule 317. Counsel must meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve as many in limine motions as possible before trial.
Civil cases
Page 3 | TRIAL PROCEDURES
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The Court will not entertain continuance requests or further filings once a tentative ruling has been posted.
The Court will not entertain a request to continue a hearing or the filing of further documents once the tentative ruling has been posted.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION
Chambers Communication Rules
Do not call the department to inquire about tentative rulings that have not yet been posted.
Please do not call the department for tentative rulings if tentative rulings have not been posted.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION
Counsel must call the department immediately to notify the Court when taking a law and motion matter off calendar.
If for any reason counsel decides to take a Law and Motion matter off calendar (e.g. the case settled while the motion was pending or the motion has become moot) counsel must call the department immediately to notify the Court.
Civil cases
Page 3 | LAW AND MOTION