San Diego Superior Court Document Format Requirements

CRITICALCivil cases

Motion papers must comply with CRC 3.1110 et seq. and San Diego Local Rule 2.1.4.1 for formatting, bookmarking, and filing.

The parties are reminded to comply with California Rule of Court 3.1110 et. seq. and San Diego Superior Court local rule 2.1.4.1 regarding formatting, bookmarking, and filing requirements of motion papers.

CRITICALCivil cases

All exhibits must be pre-marked in an up-to-date binder; photographs need individual exhibit numbers and tags.

All exhibits must be pre-marked in an up-to-date exhibit binder(s). If photographs are submitted, each photograph must have an individual exhibit number and tag.

CRITICALCivil cases

All exhibits must be pre-marked in an up-to-date exhibit book(s) of no more than 2 inches each.

All exhibits must be pre-marked in an up-to-date exhibit book(s) of no more than 2” each.

CRITICAL

Each exhibit must be labeled on the first page with the proper exhibit number (e.g., Exhibit 1, Exhibit 305 etc.). If an exhibit contains multiple pages, and they are not already Bates-stamped, give each page an identifying number. For instance, if Exhibit 5 is a four-page document, the pages should be marked "5-1," "5-2," "5-3," and, the last page, "5-4." The exhibit number is to be placed in the II lower righthand corner. If uploaded to the portal, each exhibit must appear separately on the portal.

Each exhibit must be labeled on the first page with the proper exhibit number (e.g., Exhibit 1, Exhibit 305 etc.). If an exhibit contains multiple pages, and they are not already Bates-stamped, give each page an identifying number. For instance, if Exhibit 5 is a four-page document, the pages should be marked "5-1," "5-2," "5-3," and, the last page, "5-4." The exhibit number is to be placed in the II lower righthand corner. If uploaded to the portal, each exhibit must appear separately on the portal.

CRITICAL

The Court cannot present electronically stored evidence with its own equipment; parties must provide their own laptop or other equipment to present such evidence.

Be advised that the Court does not have the capability of presenting electronically stored evidence using its own equipment. The Court has a screen on which evidence can be shown, and cables that can be connected to a laptop, but will not be able to insert flash drives, memory sticks, CDs or other storage devices into court computers or laptops. Therefore, you must provide your own laptop or other equipment to present that evidence during the trial.

CRITICAL

Hardcopy exhibits over 50 pages must be compiled in 3-ring binders (unless IPads are used), with spine/front identifying contents and exhibits separated by tabs labeled with exhibit numbers.

If exhibits are provided in hardcopy form, and they consist of more than 50 pages of exhibits, they must be compiled in 3-ring binders, unless IPads are being utilized (see below) . If you are submitting more than one binder, identify on the spine and the front of the binder the exhibits contained therein. The exhibits must be separated with tabs labeled with that exhibit's number, for ease of use and reference.

CRITICAL

Whether uploaded via the portal, or provided in hardcopy or on an IPad, all exhibits, should be pre-marked and tabbed as Court's exhibits: Petitioner 1- 300; Respondent 301- 600 (Respondent's first exhibit will be number 301); Third Party or Minor's Counsel 601-900.

Whether uploaded via the portal, or provided in hardcopy or on an IPad, all exhibits, should be pre-marked and tabbed as Court's exhibits: Petitioner 1- 300; Respondent 301- 600 (Respondent's first exhibit will be number 301); Third Party or Minor's Counsel 601-900.

CRITICALCivil cases

Exhibits must be pre-marked: Petitioner uses numbers and pink tags; Respondent uses letters and yellow tags.

EXHIBITS must be pre-marked. Petitioner must use numbers and pink tags for their exhibits; Respondent must use letters and yellow tags for their exhibits.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits must be tabbed with exhibit number/letter in all binders and tagged with an exhibit sticker tag on the Clerk's copy.

The exhibits are to be TABBED (side or bottom of exhibit) with exhibit number/letter (all binders) and TAGGED (Clerk’s copy only) with an exhibit sticker tag or likeness.

WARNINGCivil cases

All of Petitioner’s exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as numbers in numerical order. All of Respondent’s exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as letters in alphabetical order.

All of Petitioner’s exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as numbers in numerical order. All of Respondent’s exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as letters in alphabetical order.

WARNINGCivil cases

Multi-page exhibits must be bate stamped with an identifying number unless an exception applies.

Unless the exception shown below is applicable, an Exhibit which contains multiple pages, must have an identifying number (bate stamped).

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit sticker tags must be placed in the lower right-hand corner without covering document content; if no space, place on the back of the last page.

The exhibit sticker tag/likeness is to be placed in the lower right-hand corner by way of an exhibit tag/likeness as long as it does not cover any part of the document. If there is no empty place to put it, place the sticker on the backside of the last page of that exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits not properly tabbed or tagged may be returned to be corrected.

***FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE EXHIBITS TABBED/TAGGED APPROPRIATELY, MAY RESULT IN THEIR RETURN TO HAVE THEM DONE CORRECTLY***

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit binders must not exceed 1.5 inches and must be labeled on the spine with the exhibits they contain.

Exhibit binders/notebooks shall not exceed 1.5 inches. The spine of the binder/notebook shall be labeled with the exhibits that are contained in that particular binder/notebook (example: Binder 1 – exhibits 1-50).

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits subject to judicial notice are not marked 'RECEIVED'; impeachment exhibits are identified as 'the next in order' and the clerk marks and adheres the tag.

When judicial notice is taken of a document/exhibit, it is NOT indicated “RECEIVED” on the exhibit tag. If there are impeachment exhibits, they can be identified as “the next in order” and the clerk will mark and adhere the exhibit tag.

WARNINGCivil cases

Applies to

Advance trial review conference document

It should be complete and on pleading paper without the firm name.

It should be complete and on pleading paper without the firm name.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibits submitted with motions should be separately tabbed (for lodgments and courtesy copies) and electronically bookmarked.

Exhibits submitted with motions should be separately tabbed (for lodgments and courtesy copies) and electronically bookmarked.

WARNINGCivil cases

IDC hearings are conducted in person on Monday mornings only, unless the Court authorizes otherwise.

Unless otherwise authorized by the Court, IDC hearings are conducted in person on Monday mornings only.

WARNINGCivil cases

Witnesses appearing by video should have a plain or blurred background. If testifying remotely, witnesses must be alone in the room and have physical copies of any exhibits to which the witness will refer to during their testimony.

Witnesses appearing by video should have a plain or blurred background. If testifying remotely, witnesses must be alone in the room and have physical copies of any exhibits to which the witness will refer to during their testimony.

WARNINGCivil cases

Motion papers must comply with CRC Rule 3.1110 and Local Rule 2.1.4.1 regarding formatting, bookmarking, and filing requirements.

Parties are to comply with CRC Rule 3.1110, et. seq. and San Diego County Superior Court Local Rule (LR) 2.1.4.1 regarding formatting, bookmarking, and filing requirements for motion papers.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties should not manipulate font size or line spacing to circumvent page limitations.

Parties should not manipulate the font size or line spacing to circumvent the page limitations.

WARNINGCivil cases

All exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as: Petitioner - numbers; Respondent letters. If Respondent has more than 26 exhibits, Petitioner shall use 1-400 and Respondent shall use 401-800. Minor’s Counsel may use the Court’s Exhibit tags (brown) and shall begin with number 801.

All exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as: Petitioner - numbers; Respondent letters. If Respondent has more than 26 exhibits, Petitioner shall use 1-400 and Respondent shall use 401-800. Minor’s Counsel may use the Court’s Exhibit tags (brown) and shall begin with number 801.

WARNINGCivil cases

When submitting more than one exhibit binder, identify the exhibits contained on the front and spine of each binder.

If you are submitting more than one binder, identify on the front and spine of the binder the exhibits contained therein.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit binders must not exceed two inches in thickness; oversized binders may be returned for reorganization.

No exhibit binders should be more than two (2) inches thick. Binders that exceed this limit will most likely be returned to the party for reorganization.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit lists must follow a specific column format (Pet #, Description, ID'd, Rec'd, Resp #, etc.).

To assist the clerk and for the benefit of all to ensure the exhibits are correctly identified and received, please be sure the exhibit list is formatted as follows: Pet # Description ID’d Rec’d

WARNINGCivil cases

Each page of a multi-page exhibit must be bates stamped in the lower right-hand corner.

If an Exhibit contains multiple pages, please give each page an identifying number (bates stamped) in the lower righthand corner.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit tags must not cover exhibit content; if no front space, place on the back; for multi-page exhibits, place on the last page; exhibit number goes in the lower right-hand corner using pink (Petitioner) or yellow (Respondent) tags with case and exhibit numbers pre-written.

The exhibit tag should not cover any part of the exhibit, i.e. the writing/numbers and/or photo. If there is not a place to adhere the tag on the front of the exhibit, place it on the back. If there are multiple pages, place it on the last page of the exhibit. The exhibit number is to be placed in the lower right-hand corner by way of an exhibit tag (Pink tag – Petitioner; Yellow tag – Respondent,) and have the case number and exhibit number pre-written

WARNINGCivil cases

All exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as: Petitioner - numbers; Respondent letters. If Respondent has more than 26 exhibits, Petitioner shall use 1-400 and Respondent shall use 401-800. Minor’s Counsel may use the Court’s Exhibit tags (brown) and shall begin with number 801.

All exhibits should be pre-marked and tabbed as: Petitioner - numbers; Respondent letters. If Respondent has more than 26 exhibits, Petitioner shall use 1-400 and Respondent shall use 401-800. Minor’s Counsel may use the Court’s Exhibit tags (brown) and shall begin with number 801.

WARNINGCivil cases

If an Exhibit contains multiple pages, please give each page an identifying number (bate stamped) in the lower righthand corner.

If an Exhibit contains multiple pages, please give each page an identifying number (bate stamped) in the lower righthand corner.

WARNINGCivil cases

Documents such as bank records must be broken down into monthly periods, each labeled as a separate exhibit, with multi-page documents bate stamped.

Documents such as bank records should be broken down to monthly periods. For example, bank statements for the period 1/1/22 through 1/31/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 1; bank statements for the period 2/1/22 through 2/28/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 2, and so on and so forth. The multi-paged documents should be bate stamped as indicated above.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit lists must be formatted with columns for exhibit number, description, ID'd, and Rec'd for both petitioner and respondent exhibits.

To assist the clerk and for the benefit of all to ensure the exhibits are correctly identified and received, please be sure the exhibit list is formatted as follows: Pet # Description ID’d Rec’d

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit tags must not cover any part of the exhibit, are placed on the back or last page if needed, and the exhibit number goes in the lower right-hand corner using a pink tag for Petitioner or yellow tag for Respondent with case and exhibit numbers pre-written.

The exhibit tag should not cover any part of the exhibit, i.e. the writing/numbers and/or photo. If there is not a place to adhere the tag on the front of the exhibit, place it on the back. If there are multiple pages, place it on the last page of the exhibit. The exhibit number is to be placed in the lower right-hand corner by way of an exhibit tag (Pink tag – Petitioner; Yellow tag – Respondent,) and have the case number and exhibit number pre- written as follows:

WARNINGCivil cases

Witnesses authorized to appear via videoconferencing must know how to connect to Microsoft Teams and have a good connection prior to the hearing.

If your witness has been authorized to appear via videoconferencing, please ensure that each witness knows how to connect to Microsoft Teams and has a good connection prior to the hearing.

WARNINGCivil cases

Exhibit binders must not exceed three inches in thickness; oversized binders will likely be returned for reorganization.

No exhibit binders should be more than three (3) inches thick. Binders that exceed this limit will most likely be returned to the party for reorganization.

WARNING

Exhibit binders must not exceed 1 ½ inches thick; thicker binders may be returned to the party for reorganization.

No exhibit binder should be more than 1 ½ inches thick. Thicker binders are unwieldy, heavy, difficult to handle, and prone to breaking apart. Binders that exceed this limit may be returned to the party for reorganization.

WARNINGCivil cases

Pre-marked Exhibits (Petitioner should use numbers for their exhibits – pink tags; Respondent should use letters for their exhibits – yellow tags) - Try to eliminate duplicative exhibits. Exhibits should be individually marked. If an exhibit has multiple pages, Bates Stamp the individual pages. If you are submitting photographs, each photograph should have an individual exhibit number.

Pre-marked Exhibits (Petitioner should use numbers for their exhibits – pink tags; Respondent should use letters for their exhibits – yellow tags) - Try to eliminate duplicative exhibits. Exhibits should be individually marked. If an exhibit has multiple pages, Bates Stamp the individual pages. If you are submitting photographs, each photograph should have an individual exhibit number.

WARNINGCivil cases

Bank records and similar financial documents should be broken down into monthly periods, each labeled as a separate exhibit.

Documents such as bank records should be broken down to monthly periods. For example, bank statements for the period 1/1/22 through 1/31/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 1; bank statements for the period 2/1/22 through 2/28/22 shall be labeled as exhibit 2, and so on and so forth.

WARNINGCivil cases

Each photograph must have an individual exhibit number.

If you are submitting photographs, each photograph should have an individual exhibit number.

WARNINGCivil cases

Multi-page exhibits must be bates stamped; exhibit numbers placed in the lower right-hand corner without covering content, on the back if needed, and on the first page for multi-page exhibits; exhibits individually marked and separated by dividers.

If an exhibit has multiple pages, bates stamp (i.e., number) the individual pages. The exhibit number is to be placed in the lower right-hand corner and should not cover any part of the exhibit, i.e. the writing/numbers and/or photo. If there is not a place to adhere the tag on the front of the exhibit without covering part of the exhibit, place it on the back. If there are multiple pages, place it on the first page of the exhibit. Exhibits should be individually marked and separated by dividers.

WARNINGCivil cases

Text messages and social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.

Any text messages or social media posts must be identified by date and time on the exhibit.

WARNINGCivil cases

Parties must provide their own device to play video evidence and comply with CRC 2.1040(b) for electronic recordings; failure may result in exclusion of the evidence.

The submitting party is responsible for bringing in their own device from/on which to play video evidence. The Court has a screen with cables that can be connected to a laptop, but the cables are not compatible with Apple devices. The Court will not be able to insert flash drives, memory sticks, CDs or other storage devices into court computers or laptops. Therefore, you must provide your own laptop or other equipment to show that evidence during the trial. Parties must comply with CRC rule 2.1040(b) if they plan to offer any electronic sound or sound and video recording as evidence at trial. Failure to do so could result in the exclusion of said evidence.

WARNING

The court will not receive exhibits en masse. h. Exhibits should be provided to the court in a binder and tabbed for ease of reference.

The court will not receive exhibits en masse. h. Exhibits should be provided to the court in a binder and tabbed for ease of reference.

INFOCivil cases

Exhibits subject to judicial notice are not marked 'RECEIVED'; impeachment exhibits are identified as 'the next in order' and the clerk marks and adheres the tag.

When judicial notice is taken of a document/exhibit, it is not indicated “RECEIVED” on the exhibit tag. If there are impeachment exhibits, they can be identified as “the next in order” and the clerk will mark and adhere the exhibit tag.

INFOCivil cases

The Court welcomes iPad use for evidence presentation at trial if resources allow; if iPads are used, only one set of devices should be provided for trial.

The Court welcomes all parties and counsel to utilize iPads for the presentation of evidence during trial if resources allow, particularly in cases where exhibits will be numerous. If iPads are used, only one set of devices should be provided for trial, and each parties’

INFO

If the Court has granted an exemption from the Electronic Exhibit Portal rule, or if the number of exhibits exceed the portal's capacity, then the Court strongly encourages all parties and counsel t utilize IPads for the presentation of documentary evidence during the proceeding, if resources allow. If IPads are to be used, one device must be provided for each of the following: the Court; each party, whether represented or unrepresented by counsel; and a participating Third Party or Minor's Counsel, if applicable. A device must also be provided for use by witnesses at the witness stand in Court, and any remote witnesses must have such a device or binders with all the exhibits needed for their testimony. Each party's exhibits must be downloaded on each IPad in an organized, easy-to-access manner. The parties shall meet and confer sufficiently in advance of th trial or evidentiary hearing to determine if using IPads is feasible, who shall provide them, and how the downloading of exhibits shall be accomplished . However, even if IPads are utilized, the parties must in all events provide one set of hardcopy exhibit binders to the clerk of Dept. 904.

If the Court has granted an exemption from the Electronic Exhibit Portal rule, or if the number of exhibits exceed the portal's capacity, then the Court strongly encourages all parties and counsel t utilize IPads for the presentation of documentary evidence during the proceeding, if resources allow. If IPads are to be used, one device must be provided for each of the following: the Court; each party, whether represented or unrepresented by counsel; and a participating Third Party or Minor's Counsel, if applicable. A device must also be provided for use by witnesses at the witness stand in Court, and any remote witnesses must have such a device or binders with all the exhibits needed for their testimony. Each party's exhibits must be downloaded on each IPad in an organized, easy-to-access manner. The parties shall meet and confer sufficiently in advance of th trial or evidentiary hearing to determine if using IPads is feasible, who shall provide them, and how the downloading of exhibits shall be accomplished . However, even if IPads are utilized, the parties must in all events provide one set of hardcopy exhibit binders to the clerk of Dept. 904.