Judge Michael Martin
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Courtesy copies
- 5 copies • Upon Filing
Deposition Transcript
Court-wide- On First Day of Trial
Witness List, Exhibit List, Exhibits, Judicial Notice Request, Motion in Limine, Opposition, Trial Brief, Stipulation, Jury Instructions, Verdict Form
Court-wide- 1 copy
Adjournments
- Requests to continue trial must be made by noticed motion; ex parte continuance applications are only considered with exigent circumstances, and motions must state good cause because trial dates are firm.
Request must include
Communication
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Phone
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Trial briefs must not exceed 20 pages (inclusive of attachments).
- Trial brief
- Up to 20 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
Exhibits offered solely for impeachment must be labeled, organized numerically, BATES stamped, and tabbed in the manner of all other exhibits, and should be enclosed in a labeled envelope or package that need not be shared in advance with opposing parties.
- Impeachment exhibits
Formatting
- •Labeled
- •Organized numerically
- •BATES stamped
Exhibits must be BATES stamped in sequential order as required by local rule 3401. Plaintiff shall be assigned exhibit numbers 1-100. Defendant shall be assigned exhibit numbers 101-200.
- Trial exhibits
Formatting
- •BATES stamped in sequential order
- •Plaintiff assigned exhibit numbers 1-100
- •Defendant assigned exhibit numbers 101-200
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Counsel must meet and confer and file a TSC declaration addressing trial availability dates, bench/jury request and trial length, and ADR participation; the court prefers a joint declaration and failure to comply may result in sanctions up to $1,500.
Court's wording
At least 10 court days in advance of any TSC, counsel are ordered to meet and confer and prepare and file a declaration addressing all the following: o Three available dates for trial, beginning on a Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., within three months of the TSC. Failure to select mutually agreeable dates, or to provide a detailed explanation as to why any dates selected are well outside the three-month window, may result in the court setting a trial date without input from the parties. o Whether parties are requesting a bench or jury trial, and the length of the anticipated trial in hours, if possible. If parties are unsure how to estimate the length of time needed, they should instead provide detailed information about the number of witnesses they anticipate calling, specifying the number of experts, and should note any special circumstances (e.g., need for interpreter, child witness, etc.). o Whether the parties have participated or will be participating in ADR. • The declaration may also address any other issues that are relevant to setting trial. • Note: The court strongly prefers that this declaration be jointly prepared and filed. Failure to file a declaration or to meet and confer as ordered may result in sanctions without further notice. Sanctions of up to $1,500 may issue, jointly and severally as against
All parties must comply with Local Rule 3401, which requires joint pretrial statements, joint witness and exhibit lists, BATES-stamped exhibits, requests for judicial notice, motions in limine with proposed orders, oppositions, trial briefs, and stipulations.
- Document
- Trial documents
Must include
- •Proposed order
- •Exhibit list
Court's wording
All parties must comply with Riverside County Superior Court Local Rule 3401, which can be found on the court’s website. Local rule 3401 requires the preparation of: o A joint pretrial statement; o A joint witness list; o A joint exhibit list; o Exhibits (BATES stamped in sequential order); o Requests for judicial notice (if any); o Motions in limine (if any) and a proposed order for each; o Oppositions to motions in limine (if any); o Trial briefs (if any); and o
Parties and attorneys filing any paper must disclose whether AI was used in its preparation and verify the accuracy of all AI-produced work product.
- Document
- Any paper
Must include
- •AI disclosure
Court's wording
Parties and attorneys filing any paper with the court—application, brief, motion, pleading, etc.—must disclose whether they have used artificial intelligence (AI) in the preparation of that paper, and must verify that they have checked the accuracy of all AI-produced work product included in the paper.
Absent an agreement of all counsel/parties, the transcripts must be original/certified. If counsel intends to show the court any portion of the deposition, a PDF copy of the deposition must be included in the trial exhibits.
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The TSC declaration must be prepared and filed at least 10 court days in advance of any TSC.
At least 10 court days in advance of any TSC, counsel are ordered to meet and confer and prepare and file a declaration addressing all the following
Civil cases
Page 2 | Trial setting conference (TSC)
A written response to any OSC must be filed at least five court days in advance of the hearing.
If an OSC hearing is set by the court, litigants must comply with local rule 3116, which provides that a written response to any OSC be filed at least five court days in advance of the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Orders to show cause (OSC)
All trial documents must be filed by 8:30 a.m. the Monday before trial.
All trial documents must be filed by 8:30 a.m. the Monday before trial.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Trials
Impeachment exhibits must be provided to the court no later than the trial date.
Such evidence must be provided to the court no later than the trial date.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Trials
Deposition transcripts to be read or referenced at trial must be lodged with the court by 8:30 a.m. the Monday before trial.
Deposition transcripts that may be read or referred to at trial must be lodged with the court by 8:30 a.m. the Monday before trial starts.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Trials
Service and Proof of Service Rules
A party appearing remotely at an evidentiary hearing must provide all evidence it wants considered to all parties and the court before the hearing.
A party approved to appear remotely at an evidentiary hearing must provide all evidence it wants considered to all other parties and the court prior to the hearing.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Remote appearances at evidentiary hearings
In a contested matter, all evidence must be exchanged with the other party or parties before the hearing; the court will not consider evidence the other side has not seen.
Unless more specific rules apply (see Trials, infra), in a contested matter all evidence—documents, photographs, videos, and the like—must be exchanged with the other party or parties before the matter is called for a hearing. The court will not consider evidence the other side has not seen, and will not delay a hearing while the parties exchange evidence.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Evidence
Any opposition to an ex parte application must be served on the moving party/counsel as soon as it is filed with the court.
Any opposition to an ex parte application must be served on the moving party/counsel as soon as it is filed with the court.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex parte applications
Courtesy Copy Requirements
When trial documents are filed, parties must deliver five tabbed binders containing exhibits to Department PS4.
At the same time these documents are filed the parties are to deliver five tabbed binders containing their exhibits to Department PS4.
Civil cases
Page 3 | Trials
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Requests to continue trial must be made by noticed motion; ex parte continuance applications are only considered with exigent circumstances, and motions must state good cause because trial dates are firm.
Requests to continue trial shall be made by noticed motion. Ex parte applications are only considered if supported by exigent circumstances. Trial dates are firm and continuances are disfavored, so any motion should be specific in stating circumstances demonstrating good cause for a continuance.
Civil cases
Page 4 | Trials
Chambers Communication Rules
To request oral argument on a law and motion matter, counsel must notify the judicial secretary at (760) 904-5722 and inform all other parties no later than 4:30 p.m. on the court date before the hearing, or the tentative ruling becomes final.
Hearings will not be held on law and motion matters if oral argument is not timely requested. To request oral argument, no later than 4:30 p.m. on the court date before the hearing you must: o Notify the judicial secretary for Department PS4 at (760) 904-5722; and o Inform all
Civil cases
Page 2 | 3. Law and motion
When ordered to provide documentation to the court via email, counsel must email the courtroom assistant at DeptPS4@riverside.courts.ca.gov, copy all counsel, and keep the message limited to information related to the request.
If you are ordered to provide documentation to the court via email, unless otherwise ordered you must email the courtroom assistant at DeptPS4@riverside.courts.ca.gov, cc’ing all counsel in the action. The messages sent to the courtroom assistant must be limited to information related to the request.
Civil cases
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Counsel should review all applicable statutes, rules, and the court website before contacting staff; if unresolved, the courtroom assistant can be reached at (760) 992-3415.
Court resources are limited, so before contacting staff all counsel should thoroughly review applicable statutes, the California Rules of Court, the Riverside County Superior Court’s local rules, the PS4 department rules, and the court’s website (https://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov; Civil | Superior Court of California | County of Riverside – Civil Trial Dept. Orders and Procedures). If these resources do not address your issue or concern, the courtroom assistant may be reached at (760) 992-3415.
Civil cases
Page 1