Judge Cynthia A. Freeland
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Adjournments
- Case Management Conferences may be continued 1-2 weeks by stipulation and proposed order.
Request must include
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Page & Word Limits1 rule
The briefs shall be no more than five (5) pages.
- Brief
- Up to 5 pages
Document Format Requirements1 rule
It should be complete and on pleading paper without the firm name.
Formatting
- •On pleading paper
- •Without firm name
Document Filing Requirements2 rules
Counsel shall file a Case Management Statement pursuant to California Rules of Court (“CRC”), rule 3.725.
On the first day of trial, counsel must provide a Joint Witness List, Joint Exhibit List, Joint Statement of the Case, and Jury Instructions.
- Document
- Trial call documents
Must include
- •Exhibit list
Court's wording
On the first day of trial, counsel/parties must provide to the Court: 1. Joint Witness List with a short sentence describing the witness (i.e. “Dr. Joe Smith, an internist from Mercy Hospital”); 2. Joint Exhibit List (follow grid format on attachment to the Advance Trial Review Orders); 3. Joint Statement of the Case; 4. Jury Instructions - in sequential order with a post-it note indicating who objects to the instruction;
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Minor's compromise papers must be submitted by noon the business day before the hearing.
Minor’s compromise papers must be submitted no later than noon the business day prior to the scheduled hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Minor’s Compromises
IDC briefs must be submitted to the department and opposing counsel two court days before the IDC.
Briefs outlining/summarizing the issues must be submitted to Department 27 and opposing counsel two court days before the IDC.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Informal Discovery Conferences
Ex parte papers must be filed by 11:00 a.m. the business day before the scheduled appearance.
Ex parte papers are due no later than 11:00 a.m. the business day prior to the scheduled ex parte appearance.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte Matters
Tentative rulings are posted on the court website by 4:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing.
A tentative ruling will be posted on the San Diego Superior Court website (www.sdcourt.ca.gov) no later than 4:00 p.m. the court day before the hearing date.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Law and Motion Matters
Filing Fees and Waivers
Jury fees must be paid before the start of the next trial day; failure to pay waives the jury trial.
Payment is due before the start of the next trial day, CCP 631(c). Failure to pay the fee then is technically a waiver of a jury trial.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Jury Fees
No filing fee is charged for a minor's compromise hearing.
There is no fee for a minor’s compromise hearing.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Minor’s Compromises
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Counsel must meet and confer before filing a demurrer, per CCP 430.41.
Counsel must meet and confer prior to filing demurrers (see CCP 430.41).
Civil cases
Page 1 | Law and Motion Matters
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Case Management Conferences may be continued 1-2 weeks by stipulation and proposed order.
Case Management Conferences may be continued 1-2 weeks by stipulation and proposed order.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Case Management Conferences
Chambers Communication Rules
Ex parte appearances require a reservation with the Calendar Clerk and are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
Ex parte appearances are by reservation only with the Calendar Clerk and are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Ex Parte Matters
Law and motion matters are heard Fridays at 1:30 p.m. by reservation only.
Motions are heard on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. by reservation only.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Law and Motion Matters
An IDC is held only upon reservation through the Calendar Clerk and only if all parties agree to participate.
Department 27 will conduct an IDC based on reservations made through the Calendar Clerk and only if all parties to the dispute agree to participate in the IDC.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Informal Discovery Conferences
Default prove-up hearings must be reserved by calling the Calendar Clerk and are held Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Default Prove-up Hearings are heard on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and must be reserved by calling the Calendar Clerk.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Default Prove-up Hearings
Minor's compromise hearings require a reservation and are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.
Minor’s compromises are heard on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. by reservation only.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Minor’s Compromises