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Court Rules
Judge

Judge Donald Alvarez

Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies

San Bernardino Superior Court

Limits & Logistics

Document Limits

Mediation BriefCourt-wide
10 pgs

Courtesy Copies

Courtesy copies

  • Upon Case Assignment to Trial

Civil Unlimited Complaint

Court-wide
  • 1 copy

Adjournments

Court-wide

Request must include

Reason for Request
2Court Daysnotice
Reason for Request

Communication

Clerk1 contacts

Filters:

Document Format Requirements3 rules

FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

Exhibits shall be pre-marked in numerical order and if multiple pages, shall be Bate stamped at the bottom of each page.

Applies to
  • Exhibits

Formatting

  • Pre-mark exhibits in numerical order
  • Bates stamp multipage exhibits at the bottom of each page
s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
FormattingMandatoryCivil cases

Exhibits shall be placed in a 3-ring binder with two sets for the court. (One for the witness, one for the Court).

Binding
Three-ring binder
Applies to
  • Exhibits

Formatting

  • Provide one set for the witness and one set for the Court
s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
FormattingNoteCivil cases

To the extent possible a flash/thumb drive is encouraged to be provided to the Judicial Assistant on the first day of trial.

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

Document Filing Requirements8 rules

Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

JOINT WITNESS LIST listing the name, brief description, and time estimate for each witness. Note that “JOINT” does not mean “agreed” but does refer to the Court working from one set of documents from counsel. (Jury and Court Trials)

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

A face page listing all requested instructions in sequential order.

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

JOINT statement of the case. Note that “JOINT” does not mean “agreed” but does refer to the Court working from one set of documents from counsel. (Jury Trials)

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

All the above-mentioned items are MANDATORY, except for the brief, which is optional for jury trials.

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

JOINT EXHIBIT LIST and exhibits. Note that “JOINT” does not mean “agreed” but does refer to the Court working from one set of documents from counsel. (Jury and Court Trials)

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

MOTIONS IN LIMINE, in writing, if any. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ORDERS TO BE SIGNED.

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Proposed SPECIAL VERDICT form (if you are requesting one). (Jury Trials)

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Filing RequirementsMandatoryCivil cases

Proposed CACI jury instructions. (Jury Trials)

s23trialrules|SectionREQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

Filing & Service rules

Electronic Filing Rules

Upon assignment to trial, but not before, the listed trial-readiness items must be submitted electronically with one courtesy copy delivered to the department.

ALL OF THE ITEMS BELOW ARE TO BE SUBMITTED WITH THE COURT UPON THE CASE BEING ASSIGNED TO TRIAL, NOT BEFORE. (Must be submitted by efile, and a courtesy copy delivered to the department)

Civil cases

Page 1 | REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

Counsel must email one completed joint list to the Judicial Assistant and also electronically file the joint exhibit list.

Counsel will need to return one completed joint list via email to the JA and are also to submit a joint exhibit list to be filed through efile.

Civil cases

Page 1 | REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

Courtesy Copy Requirements

One courtesy copy of the trial-readiness items must be delivered to the department when the case is assigned to trial.

ALL OF THE ITEMS BELOW ARE TO BE SUBMITTED WITH THE COURT UPON THE CASE BEING ASSIGNED TO TRIAL, NOT BEFORE. (Must be submitted by efile, and a courtesy copy delivered to the department)

Civil cases

Page 1 | REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

Court-wide rules

Applies court-wide

These 248 rules apply across San Bernardino Superior Court. Where this judge's own standing orders above address the same topic, the judge's requirement controls.

Filing Requirements

All 129
  • Applies to
    Appointed attorney written report

    Every court-appointed attorney must file a verified written report stating bar status and disciplinary history, professional liability coverage, and prior representations, including the represented party's name and an explanation of the representation; reports for private professional conservators or fiduciaries must be included.

  • Applies to
    Stipulation

    All interested persons must sign the written stipulation.

  • Applies to
    Final account

    If there is a pour-over will or distribution to a trust, the entire subject trust instrument and its amendments, attachments, schedules, and exhibits must be filed.

Filing Timing

All 36
  • Deadline
    5 business days

    IFHMB must receive the mediation request form at least five business days before the court-noticed mediation date.

  • The parties must immediately notify the court and file the Notice of Settlement after settling the case.

  • The debtor must promptly file the Notice of Stay after removal to bankruptcy court.

Service

All 33
  • Applies to
    Mediation brief
    Service
    Email

    Mediation briefs are not required.  If you choose to submit a mediation brief, the limit is 10 pages, including all photos and exhibits, and must be sent to mhill@ifhmb.com and amartin@ifhmb.com at least 5 days before the mediation.

  • Applies to
    Motion or oraps

    A proof of service must be filed at least 10 days before the examination for motions or ORAPS to avoid removal from the calendar.

  • Applies to
    Initial trial setting conference statement

    The Initial Trial Setting Conference Statement must be served no later than 10 days before the conference.

Adjournments

All 13

  • A continuance of the first-set trial date must be requested by a written stipulation of all parties, without an ex parte application, filed at least 15 days before the trial date.

  • Requests for continuances are governed by California Rule of Court, Rule 3.1332.

  • A party seeking a continuance or not intending to proceed must notify the Judicial Assistant and opposing counsel as soon as possible and no later than 4:30 p.m. on the second court day before the hearing.

More categories

View all San Bernardino Superior Court rules
About Judge Donald Alvarez

Department S23, San Bernardino Justice Center, 247 W. Third Street, San Bernardino, CA. 92415

Common questions about Judge Donald Alvarez's rules

Are courtesy copies required for Judge Donald Alvarez?

Details: delivery upon case assignment to trial. One courtesy copy of the trial-readiness items must be delivered to the department when the case is assigned to trial.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

What formatting rules apply to filings before Judge Donald Alvarez?

Judge Donald Alvarez's formatting rule includes binding three ring binder and provide one set for the witness and one set for the court.. Exhibits must be placed in a three-ring binder in two sets, one for the witness and one for the court.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

What must be included with motion in limine filings before Judge Donald Alvarez?

Any written motions in limine must be submitted at trial assignment, and orders to be signed must not be included.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

What must be included with joint witness list filings before Judge Donald Alvarez?

For jury and court trials, parties must provide a joint witness list containing each witness's name, a brief description, and a time estimate, without implying that the witnesses are agreed upon.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL

Is electronic filing required before Judge Donald Alvarez?

Yes. Electronic filing is required for the covered filings. Upon assignment to trial, but not before, the listed trial-readiness items must be submitted electronically with one courtesy copy delivered to the department.

View ruleSource: page 1, section REQUIREMENTS FOR TRIAL
Complete rules summary for Judge Donald Alvarez

Any written motions in limine must be submitted at trial assignment, and orders to be signed must not be included.

Upon assignment to trial, but not before, the listed trial-readiness items must be submitted electronically with one courtesy copy delivered to the department.

One courtesy copy of the trial-readiness items must be delivered to the department when the case is assigned to trial.

For jury and court trials, parties must provide a joint witness list containing each witness's name, a brief description, and a time estimate, without implying that the witnesses are agreed upon.

Exhibits must be placed in a three-ring binder in two sets, one for the witness and one for the court.

Exhibits must be pre-marked in numerical order and, when they contain multiple pages, Bates stamped at the bottom of every page.

In a jury trial, a proposed special verdict form must be submitted if one is requested.

Counsel must email one completed joint list to the Judicial Assistant and also electronically file the joint exhibit list.

The proposed jury instructions must include a face page listing all requested instructions in sequential order.

Proposed CACI jury instructions must be submitted for jury trials.

All listed trial-readiness items are mandatory, except that the trial brief is optional for jury trials.

For jury trials, the parties must submit a joint statement of the case from one set of counsel's documents without implying that it is agreed upon.

To the extent possible, counsel are encouraged to provide the Judicial Assistant with a flash or thumb drive on the first day of trial.

For jury and court trials, the parties must submit a joint exhibit list and the exhibits, using one set of documents from counsel without implying that the exhibits are agreed upon.

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