Judge Katherine A. Bacal
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Communication
Phone
Clerk
Document Filing Requirements4 rules
Applications for appointment of guardians ad litem will not be granted unless the moving party submits the documents required by the San Diego Superior Court Local Rules, Rule 2.4.6.
All exhibits should be pre-marked, with pages numbered.
The Court allows virtual appearances at Trial Call only if parties previously submitted a joint trial notebook, containing: 1. Agreed upon statement of the case; 2. Joint Witness List (all witnesses on one list); 3. Joint Exhibit List, with objections noted; 4. Joint set of jury instructions, in the order they are to be given with objections noted; 5. Proposed verdict form(s).
- Document
- Joint trial notebook
Include
- •Exhibit list
Guardian and Testament/Publication of Summons/Pro Hac Vice/Default prove ups: Submit moving papers for the court, with proof of service, if applicable; the court may set a hearing if deemed necessary.
- Document
- Application
Include
- •Certificate of service
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Motions in Limine must be filed at least 5 court days before Trial Call.
MILs must be filed at least 5 court days prior to Trial Call.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 6. Trials
Ex parte papers must be submitted by noon on the day before the hearing.
Papers are due before noon the day before the hearing, with the appropriate fee.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Oppositions to Motions in Limine must be filed at least 2 court days before Trial Call.
Oppositions to MILs must be filed at least 2 court days prior to Trial Call.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 6. Trials
The Joint TRC Report is due five court days before the scheduled TRC; if it is late and the matter is not fully resolved, trial counsel must appear in person.
Parties must submit their Joint TRC Report five court days before the scheduled TRC. If a joint TRC report is not timely filed and the matter has not fully resolved, trial counsel must appear in person at the TRC.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 4. Trial Readiness Conferences (TRCs)
Filing Fees and Waivers
The appropriate filing fee must accompany ex parte papers.
Papers are due before noon the day before the hearing, with the appropriate fee.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Filing Bundling Requirements
Replies to Motions in Limine are not permitted.
No replies to MILs.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 6. Trials
Motions in Limine and any oppositions must be combined in a second notebook, not filed as separate notebooks.
Parties must also submit a second notebook containing Motions in Limine (MIL), followed by Oppositions, if any (not separate notebooks).
Civil cases
Page 1 | 5. Trial Calls
Chambers Communication Rules
Ex parte hearings must be reserved by calling the calendar clerk.
Parties must reserve an ex parte hearing by calling the calendar clerk.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Informal discovery or pleading conferences can be scheduled with the calendar clerk, but parties must first actually discuss the dispute (an email/letter is not enough).
The court welcomes informal discovery conferences and/or informal pleading conferences, which may be set by calling the calendar clerk. Before reserving an informal conference, parties must actually discuss the dispute with each other (an email/letter is insufficient).
Civil cases
Page 1 | 1. Ex Parte Matters
Law and motion hearings must be reserved by calling the calendar clerk or using the 'Reserve a Motion Date' application on the Court's website.
All law and motion matters are heard by reservation either by calling the calendar clerk or using the "Reserve a Motion Date" application on the Court's website.
Civil cases
Page 1 | 2. Law and Motion Matters