San Francisco Superior Court Page & Word Limits
35 rules from official source documents
Maximum page counts and word limits for motions, briefs, and other filings by judge.
Page, word and line limits
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Opposition
Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.
Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
Before filing additional motions in limine, a party must seek leave through a declaration of no more than three pages showing good cause, describing the evidence, and explaining why the additional motion is necessary.
Before additional MILs are filed, a party must request leave to file additional MILs by submitting to the to the trial judge or the Judge a declaration, which does not exceed three (3) pages demonstrating good cause and a brief description of the evidence sought to be addressed and an explanation as to why the additional MIL is required.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
A declaration supporting a motion in limine may not exceed three pages without court approval.
Declarations may not exceed three (3) pages in length absent leave of Court.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
A party must obtain leave before filing additional motions in limine by submitting a declaration of no more than three pages demonstrating good cause, describing the evidence to be addressed, and explaining why the additional motion is necessary.
Before additional MILs are filed, a party must request leave to file additional MILs by submitting to the to the trial judge or the SAJ a declaration, which does not exceed three (3) pages demonstrating good cause and a brief description of the evidence sought to be addressed and an explanation as to why the additional MIL is required.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Opposition
Oppositions to initial motions in limine are limited to five oppositions, with no more than five pages per opposition.
Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
Only one declaration is permitted per motion in limine, and each declaration may not exceed three pages, absent leave of court.
Only one declaration is permitted per MIL absent leave of Court. Declarations may not exceed three (3) pages in length absent leave of Court.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Additional mil leave declaration
A declaration submitted to obtain leave to file an additional motion in limine may not exceed three pages.
Before additional MILs are filed, a party must request leave to file additional MILs by submitting to the to the trial judge or the Judge a declaration, which does not exceed three (3) pages demonstrating good cause and a brief description of the evidence
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 15 pages
- Applies to
- Points and authorities
Criminal motions’ points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages unless the court permits more pages on a showing of good cause.
Points and authorities must not exceed 15 pages. On application, the Court may permit additional pages upon good cause shown.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Motion in limine
When multiple defendants address the same expert, the request must be joint and supported by no more than one declaration of no more than three pages, absent leave of court.
However, if more than one defendant seeks to address the same expert, the request must be submitted as a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration which must not exceed three (3) pages, absent leave of Court.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 15 pages
- Applies to
- Points and authorities
Points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages, although the court may allow additional pages on a showing of good cause.
D. Points and authorities must not exceed 15 pages. On application, the Court may permit additional pages upon good cause shown.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Update declaration
When a review hearing is set, both parties may file and serve an update declaration at least 10 calendar days before the hearing, subject to a different deadline specified by the Court, and the declaration may not exceed 5 pages excluding exhibits.
5) Update Declaration. When a review hearing is set, at least 10 calendar days prior to the review hearing (unless the Court specifies a different deadline), both parties may file and serve an update declaration (not to exceed 5 pages in length, not including exhibits) updating the Court with any new and relevant information since the last hearing date.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Motion in limine
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs, each no longer than five (5) pages.
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
When multiple defendants seek to address the same expert, they must submit a joint motion with no more than one declaration, and that declaration may not exceed three pages without court approval.
However, if more than one defendant seeks to address the same expert, the request must be submitted as a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration which must not exceed three (3) pages, absent leave of Court.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 10 pages
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Plaintiff’s trial brief is limited to 10 pages and defendant’s trial brief is limited to 5 pages; exhibits are not permitted in either brief, and a party may request an extension for good cause.
Plaintiff’s trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted. Defendant’s trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Limit
- 15 pages
- Applies to
- Case management statement
Unless the court orders otherwise, case management statements may not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits.
Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Motion in limine
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion. Each joint MIL must be restricted to one issue and may not have subparts addressing additional issues. These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE. §§ 402 and 403.
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion. Each joint MIL must be restricted to one issue and may not have subparts addressing additional issues. These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE. §§ 402 and 403.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 10 pages
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Plaintiffs' trial briefs are limited to 10 pages and defendants' trial briefs to 5 pages, and neither may include exhibits.
Plaintiff’s trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted. Defendant’s trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
Only one declaration may accompany each motion in limine absent court permission, and the declaration may not exceed three pages absent leave of court; Evidence Code sections 402 and 403 motions are exempt from these limitations.
Only one declaration is permitted per MIL absent leave of Court. Declarations may not exceed three (3) pages in length absent leave of Court. These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE. §§ 402 and 403.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Motion in limine
Each side may submit no more than five initial joint motions in limine, with each motion limited to five pages, and opposing parties may submit no more than five oppositions, each limited to five pages.
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion. Parties opposing the initial MIL are limited in submitting five (5) oppositions which cannot exceed five (5) pages per motion.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 10 pages
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Trial brief
Plaintiff trial briefs are limited to 10 pages and defendant trial briefs are limited to 5 pages; exhibits are not permitted in either brief.
Plaintiff’s trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted. Defendant’s trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Update declaration
An update declaration may not exceed 5 pages, excluding exhibits.
parties may file and serve an update declaration (not to exceed 5 pages in length, not including exhibits) updating the Court with any new and relevant information since the last hearing date.
CRITICALProposed or draft document; may not be in force
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration
When multiple defendants address the same expert, they must submit a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration of three pages or fewer absent court permission.
However, if more than one defendant seeks to address the same expert, the request must be submitted as a joint motion supported by no more than one declaration which must not exceed three (3) pages, absent leave of Court.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 15 pages
- Applies to
- Points and authorities
Criminal-motion points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages, although the court may allow additional pages for good cause shown on application.
Points and authorities must not exceed 15 pages. On application, the Court may permit additional pages upon good cause shown.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 15 pages
- Applies to
- Case management statement
Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without Court approval.
Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without Court approval.
CRITICAL
- Limit
- 15 pages
- Applies to
- Case management statement
Unless the court orders otherwise, case management statements may not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without court approval.
Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without Court approval.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration supporting joint expert motion
The declaration supporting a joint motion to exclude an expert on the same arguments or legal theories is limited to three pages.
However, should the Defendants seek to exclude the same expert on the same arguments or the same legal theories in an Evid. Code § 402 hearing, the Defendants must submit the request under a joint motion with only one declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Joint motion in limine
Each side initially may file five joint motions in limine, with each motion limited to five pages excluding exhibits.
Each side is initially limited to five (5) joint MILs not to exceed five (5) pages per motion, excluding exhibits.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Limit
- 10 pages
- Applies to
- Plaintiff trial brief
Plaintiff's trial brief is limited to ten pages, with no exhibits permitted.
Plaintiff's trial brief may not exceed ten (10) pages and no exhibits are permitted.
CRITICALCivil cases
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Defendant trial brief
Defendant's trial brief is limited to five pages, with no exhibits permitted.
Defendant's trial brief may not exceed five (5) pages, and no exhibits are permitted.
WARNINGCivil cases
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Discovery motion
The Court is open to the parties agreeing to an expedited briefing schedule where one side files a 5-page motion, the other side files a 5-page response, the moving party a 3-page reply and a hearing date is set 10 days out from the last filing.
The Court is open to the parties agreeing to an expedited briefing schedule where one side files a 5-page motion, the other side files a 5-page response, the moving party a 3-page reply and a hearing date is set 10 days out from the last filing.
WARNINGCivil cases
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration requesting additional motions in limine
A declaration requesting additional motions in limine on a showing of good cause must not exceed three pages.
If a party has good cause for additional MILs, that party may request additional MILs by submitting a declaration, not to exceed three (3) pages, to the trial judge or the Supervising Asbestos Judge with a brief description of the evidence sought to be precluded or limited and an explanation as to why the motion is required.
WARNINGCivil cases
- Limit
- 3 pages
- Applies to
- Declaration supporting motion in limine
A supporting declaration for a motion in limine should not exceed three pages.
Declaration should not exceed three (3) pages.
INFO
- Limit
- 5 pages
- Applies to
- Update declaration
When a review hearing is set, both parties may file and serve an update declaration of no more than five pages, excluding exhibits, at least ten calendar days before the hearing unless the court specifies a different deadline.
5) Update Declaration. When a review hearing is set, at least 10 calendar days prior to the review hearing (unless the Court specifies a different deadline), both parties may file and serve an update declaration (not to exceed 5 pages in length, not including exhibits) updating the Court with any new and relevant information since the last hearing date.
Other limits (time, motions, days)
WARNINGCivil cases
- Applies to
- Expert motion in limine
The initial five-motion limit does not apply to expert-related motions, including motions under Evidence Code sections 402 and 403.
This five motion limit does not include motions pertaining to experts such as motions under Evid. Code §§402, 403.
INFO
The stated motion in limine page limits do not apply to motions under California Evidence Code sections 402 and 403.
These limitations do not apply to motions under CAL. EVID. CODE . §§ 402 and 403.
What page or word limits apply to declaration in San Francisco Superior Court?
San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 3 pages. A party must obtain leave before filing additional motions in limine by submitting a declaration of no more than three pages demonstrating good cause, describing the evidence to be addressed, and explaining why the additional motion is necessary.
1 more rule answers this question.
What page or word limits apply to motion in limine in San Francisco Superior Court?
San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 3 pages. When multiple defendants address the same expert, the request must be joint and supported by no more than one declaration of no more than three pages, absent leave of court.
1 more rule answers this question.
What page or word limits apply to trial brief in San Francisco Superior Court?
San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 10 pages; 5 pages. Plaintiff’s trial brief is limited to 10 pages and defendant’s trial brief is limited to 5 pages; exhibits are not permitted in either brief, and a party may request an extension for good cause.
What page or word limits apply to case management statement in San Francisco Superior Court?
San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Excludes exhibits. Unless the court orders otherwise, case management statements may not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits.
Judge Stephen M. Murphy's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Excludes exhibits. Unless ordered by the court, case management statements shall not exceed 15 pages, excluding exhibits, without Court approval.
1 more rule answers this question.
What page or word limits apply to points and authorities in San Francisco Superior Court?
San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 15 pages. Criminal-motion points and authorities may not exceed 15 pages, although the court may allow additional pages for good cause shown on application.
What page or word limits apply to discovery motion in San Francisco Superior Court?
San Francisco Superior Court's rule states these limits: 5 pages; 5 pages; 3 pages. The Court is open to the parties agreeing to an expedited briefing schedule where one side files a 5-page motion, the other side files a 5-page response, the moving party a 3-page reply and a hearing date is set 10 days out from the last filing.
Related categories
Back to all rules for this courtCourtesy Copy Requirements
When and how to deliver courtesy copies to chambers, including triggers, timing, and formatting.
Electronic Filing Rules
Electronic filing requirements, permitted filing channels, EFSP portals, and exceptions.
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Filing cutoffs, deemed-filed rules, rejection handling, cure periods, and outage procedures.
Service and Proof of Service Rules
E-service, mail, personal service, proof of service, certificate, and timing requirements.