Judge Lindsey E. Martinez
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- Not Required
Motion in Limine Binder
Adjournments
- The underlying motion must be filed before applying ex parte to advance a motion hearing date.
- Stipulations requesting a new date should include as many proposed dates as possible.
- Trial dates are firm and continuances are disfavored.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Each side is limited to 5 motions in limine, each not exceeding 5 pages. Anything above these limits requires leave of court.
- Motion in limine
- Up to 5 pages per side
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Make sure each page is numbered.
Formatting
- •Each page of every exhibit must be numbered
Number every page of every exhibit. Attach a numbered exhibit tag to the front of each original exhibit. Notebooks should be 3” thick or less.
- Exhibits
Formatting
- •Number every page of every exhibit
Be prepared to supply a Word version.
- File type
- Word
Document Filing Requirements8 rules
File a case management statement. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.725.)
Please file a single document containing both the parties’ stipulation and the proposed order. Please leave space for the court to add appropriate terms.
- Document
- Stipulation
Include
- •Proposed order
Prepare joint trial documents: “Joint” means all sides agree. Each side does not get to make their own. Witness lists must have time commitments.
Motions to exclude “any evidence” are often improper. Motions should identify the exhibit number or specific words of testimony to be excluded. (Kelly v. New West Federal Savings (1996) 49 Cal.App.4th 659, 670-671.)
Coordinate motion numbering with opposing counsel. There should be only one Motion #1, one Motion #2, etc.
Proposals shall be legally correct and logical.
If you cannot agree to all instructions, file three sets of instructions: (1) agreed- upon, (2) plaintiff’s proposed, and (3) defendant’s proposed.
If there is no joint special verdict form, file a general verdict form. (CACI No. VF-5000, 5001.)
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Motion hearing dates must be reserved through the court's online reservation system.
Use the online reservation system to reserve dates.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions
Joint trial documents and motions in limine must be e-filed.
E-file all joint trial documents and motions in limine.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
For bench trials, exhibits must be submitted through the Electronic Evidence Portal.
For bench trials, parties must submit exhibits through the Electronic Evidence Portal.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Electronic Evidence Portal
A notice of lodging must be e-filed when deposition transcripts are delivered to Dept. C24.
e-file a notice of lodging
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Ex parte applications must be filed by 12 pm the court day before the hearing.
File the application by 12 pm the court day before the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Joint trial documents and motions in limine must be e-filed by 12 pm on the Wednesday before trial.
By 12 pm on the Wednesday before trial (Local Rule 317-B)
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
Jury instructions must be submitted up front, before trial.
Jury instructions are due up front. (Code Civ. Proc., § 607a.)
Civil cases
Page 3 | Jury Selection and Instructions
The court usually posts a tentative ruling by 4 pm the day before the motion hearing.
The court usually posts a tentative ruling the day before the hearing by 4 pm.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions
Opposition to an ex parte application should be filed as soon as possible, and the court may decide the matter on the papers without a hearing.
File any opposition as soon as you can. The court may decide the ex parte on the papers without a hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Notice of the ex parte application must be given to all parties by 10 am the court day before the hearing.
Then give notice to all parties by 10 am the court day before the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
All motions in limine must be exchanged 14 or more days before trial, and parties should attempt informal resolution.
Exchange all motions in limine. Discuss resolving them informally.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
All exhibits must be exchanged 14 or more days before trial.
Exchange all exhibits.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
Filing Fees and Waivers
A court reporter is not provided at motion hearings without a fee waiver.
No court reporter is provided without a fee waiver, available here.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Original, tagged exhibits must be delivered to Dept. C24 at Monday trial call.
Deliver the original, tagged exhibits to Dept. C24 (Local Rule 317-C)
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
A Joint Trial Notebook containing 12 required items must be delivered to Dept. C24 by 12 pm on the Wednesday before trial.
Deliver a Joint Trial Notebook to Dept. C24. It must contain 12 things.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
All deposition transcripts must be delivered to Dept. C24 at Monday trial call.
Deliver all deposition transcripts to Dept. C24 and e-file a notice of lodging
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
The Motion in Limine binder must be delivered to Dept. C24 at Monday trial call.
Deliver the Motion in Limine binder to Dept. C24 (Local Rule 317-C)
Civil cases
Page 2 | Pretrial Checklist
No courtesy copy is required for ex parte applications.
No courtesy copy is required.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Parties must meet and confer before filing any motion in limine.
Meet and confer before filing any motion in limine.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Motions
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
The underlying motion must be filed before applying ex parte to advance a motion hearing date.
File your motion before applying ex parte to advance a motion hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Trial dates are firm and continuances are disfavored.
Trial dates are firm, and continuances are disfavored.
Civil cases
Page 2
Stipulations requesting a new date should include as many proposed dates as possible.
If you are requesting a new date, please include as many proposed dates as possible to aid the court in managing its calendar.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Stipulations
Chambers Communication Rules
The department must be called by 10 am the court day before to reserve an ex parte hearing.
Call the dept. by 10 am the court day before you would like your ex parte to be set to make a reservation.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte
Call all parties. If everyone submits to the tentative ruling, call the clerk. Otherwise, the court may make a different ruling at the hearing.
Call all parties. If everyone submits to the tentative ruling, call the clerk. Otherwise, the court may make a different ruling at the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Motions