Judge Erin Guy Castillo
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Exhibits
- 2 copies • Before Trial Commencement
Filings > 25 pages
Binding: Securely Bound
Communication
Chambers
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Fax
Chambers
Page & Word Limits4 rules
Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations without leave may not be considered.
- Brief
- Up to 25 pages
- Reply brief
- Up to 10 pages
- Opposition
- Reply
Exception
More pages with leave of court
The discovery dispute summary submitted with an informal conference request must be 2-3 pages and may not include exhibits or attachments.
- Dispute summary
- Up to 3 pages
Court's wording
Within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties shall submit to the court and serve on opposing counsel a 2-3 page summary of the dispute. The parties' summaries (without exhibits or attachments) MUST be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Unless prior leave of Court is obtained seven days before the filing date, all moving and opposition briefs or legal memorandum in civil cases shall not exceed 25 pages. Reply briefs filed by moving parties shall not exceed 10 pages. Briefs that exceed the page limitations without leave may not be considered.
- Brief
- Up to 25 pages
- Reply brief
- Up to 10 pages
Exception
More pages with leave of court
Within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties shall submit to the court and serve on opposing counsel a 2-3 page summary of the dispute. The parties’ summaries (without exhibits or attachments) MUST be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
- Discovery dispute summary
- Up to 3 pages
Document Format Requirements2 rules
As required by Local Rule 137(b), counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
- Stipulation
As required by Local Rule 137(b), counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov. Pursuant to Local Rule 131(c), the documents should include the attorneys= electronic signatures (i.e. /s/First/Last Name), as well as the date the document was signed.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
- Stipulation
Document Filing Requirements16 rules
Court time may not be used for marking exhibits. Please do this in advance of the court session.
Counsel are cautioned that if a document has any conceivable basis for admission, that document/item must be pre-marked and listed prior to trial.
Every document referenced at trial must be marked with an exhibit sticker using the party's next sequential number, including documents used for impeachment or to refresh recollection, even if not intended for admission.
Court's wording
All documents/items referenced during the course of the trial must be identified and marked with an exhibit sticker, regardless of whether they are intended to be admitted at trial or not. This includes all documents/items used to impeach and/or refresh a witness’s recollection. Documents/items not intended to be admitted need not be pre-marked prior to trial, but once referred to during the course of the trial, must be identified and marked using the next exhibit number/letter in that party’s sequential order.
In the notice of motion, counsel for the moving party shall certify that meet and confer efforts have been exhausted and include a summary of meet and confer efforts.
- Document
- Notice of motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Any brief exceeding 15 pages shall include a table of contents and a table of authorities.
- Document
- Brief
Must include
- •Table of contents
- •Table of authorities
Confidential Settlement Conference Statements are MANDATORY from each party, and must comply with the Court's Order re Settlement Conference.
Pursuant to Local Rule 131(c), the documents should include the attorneys= electronic signatures (i.e. /s/First/Last Name), as well as the date the document was signed.
- Placement
- Signature block
Parties are instructed to use the Court's Model Protective Orders available on Judge Guy Castillo's website.
If the parties intend to deviate from the Model Protective Orders, the parties are instructed to provide the Court with a redlined version of proposed changes against the Model Protective Order.
Any brief exceeding 15 pages shall include a table of contents and a table of authorities.
- Document
- Brief
Must include
- •Table of contents
- •Table of authorities
Confidential Settlement Conference Statements are MANDATORY from each party, and must comply with the Court's Order re Settlement Conference.
- Document
- Settlement conference statement
Must include
- •Confidential
Pursuant to Local Rule 131(c), the documents should include the attorneys= electronic signatures (i.e. /s/First/Last Name), as well as the date the document was signed.
Any exhibit not previously marked for identification should first be handed to the Courtroom Clerk to be marked before it is tendered to a witness for examination or placed on a viewing screen.
If you intend to question a witness about a group of documents, please place all the documents in the group before the witness (in the witness trial binder) prior to commencing the examination.
Please offer only relevant, redacted portions of a deposition transcript in accordance with Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Parties are directed to use the template of the joint scheduling report, which is available on Judge Guy Castillo's website under the heading "Case Management."
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
A JOINT Scheduling Conference Report, prepared and executed by all counsel, shall be electronically filed in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Order Setting Mandatory Scheduling Conference, at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Scheduling Conference, and a copy shall be e-mailed, to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
A JOINT Scheduling Conference Report, prepared and executed by all counsel, shall be electronically filed in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Order Setting Mandatory Scheduling Conference, at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Scheduling Conference, and a copy shall be e-mailed, to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Page 2 | Scheduling Conferences
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
The joint scheduling conference report must be electronically filed at least seven calendar days before the Scheduling Conference.
at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Scheduling Conference
Page 2 | Scheduling Conferences
Parties must submit the discovery dispute summary to the court within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference.
Within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties shall submit to the court and serve on opposing counsel a 2-3 page summary of the dispute.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Settlement conference statements must be submitted to chambers at least seven calendar days before the Settlement Conference.
The Settlement Conference Statements must be submitted to Judge Guy Castillo's chambers at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Settlement Conference.
Page 2 | Settlement Conferences
Joint Scheduling Conference Report must be electronically filed and a copy emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov at least 7 calendar days before the Scheduling Conference.
A JOINT Scheduling Conference Report, prepared and executed by all counsel, shall be electronically filed in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Order Setting Mandatory Scheduling Conference, at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Scheduling Conference, and a copy shall be e-mailed, to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Conferences
Mandatory Confidential Settlement Conference Statements must be submitted to chambers at least 7 calendar days before the Settlement Conference, complying with the Court's relevant order.
Confidential Settlement Conference Statements are MANDATORY from each party, and must comply with the Court's Order re Settlement Conference. The Settlement Conference Statements must be submitted to Judge Guy Castillo's chambers at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the Settlement Conference.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Settlement Conferences - Settlement Conference Statements
Informal telephonic discovery conferences will be held within one week of the court receiving the parties' dispute summaries.
Once the court receives the parties’ summaries, an informal telephonic conference will be held within one week or as soon as is practicable.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute d)
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Counsel must provide opposing counsel with a list of the witnesses they intend to call the next day before the close of each business day.
Prior to the close of each business day, counsel shall provide opposing counsel with a list of witnesses counsel intends to call the next day.
Page 3 | TRIAL CONDUCT AND COURTROOM DECORUM
A copy of the Joint Scheduling Conference Report must be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov at least 7 calendar days before the Scheduling Conference.
a copy shall be e-mailed, to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Scheduling Conferences
Discovery dispute summaries must be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov and served on opposing counsel, with no exhibits or attachments.
The parties’ summaries (without exhibits or attachments) MUST be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute c)
Any exhibit offered in evidence should, at the time of such offer, be handed to opposing counsel, unless it has been pre-marked and a copy is already in the possession of opposing counsel.
Any exhibit offered in evidence should, at the time of such offer, be handed to opposing counsel, unless it has been pre-marked and a copy is already in the possession of opposing counsel.
Page 1 | 5. Exhibits
The discovery dispute summary must be served on opposing counsel within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference.
Within 3 days of requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties shall submit to the court and serve on opposing counsel a 2-3 page summary of the dispute.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Courtesy Copy Requirements
In addition to counsel’s copies, please provide copies of exhibits for the judge and place copies on the witness stand (for witness) before the commencement of the trial.
In addition to counsel’s copies, please provide copies of exhibits for the judge and place copies on the witness stand (for witness) before the commencement of the trial.
Page 1 | 5. Exhibits
Courtesy Copies of ALL Motion-Related Pleadings over 25 pages should be properly tabbed, fastened, and clearly identified as a "Courtesy Copy" (to avoid duplicate and erroneous filing by court staff) and shall be mailed in hard copy to the Court, Attn: Judge Guy Castillo.
Courtesy Copies of ALL Motion-Related Pleadings over 25 pages should be properly tabbed, fastened, and clearly identified as a "Courtesy Copy" (to avoid duplicate and erroneous filing by court staff) and shall be mailed in hard copy to the Court, Attn: Judge Guy Castillo.
Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar
Courtesy Copies of ALL Motion-Related Pleadings over 25 pages should be properly tabbed, fastened, and clearly identified as a "Courtesy Copy" (to avoid duplicate and erroneous filing by court staff) and shall be mailed in hard copy to the Court, Attn: Judge Guy Castillo.
Courtesy Copies of ALL Motion-Related Pleadings over 25 pages should be properly tabbed, fastened, and clearly identified as a "Courtesy Copy" (to avoid duplicate and erroneous filing by court staff) and shall be mailed in hard copy to the Court, Attn: Judge Guy Castillo.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar - Courtesy Copies
Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Counsel must conduct a prefiling meet and confer on the substance of any contemplated motion and potential resolution before filing a motion in cases with represented parties.
Before filing a motion in a case in which the parties are represented by counsel, counsel shall engage in a prefiling meet and confer to discuss thoroughly the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution.
Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar
Parties must meet and confer in good faith to resolve a discovery dispute without court action before filing a discovery motion or requesting an informal telephonic discovery conference.
Before filing a discovery motion or seeking an informal telephonic discovery conference, the parties shall meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute without court action.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Meet and confer on discovery disputes must include direct communication between the parties—in person, by telephone, or by videoconference—in addition to any written correspondence.
Parties must note that under the "meet and confer" requirements, the court requires, in addition to any written correspondence the parties may engage in (letters and/or email), that the parties speak with each other about the discovery dispute. This requirement may be accomplished in person, over the telephone or through videoconferencing.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Discovery dispute meet and confer requires spoken communication (in person, phone, or video) in addition to written correspondence.
the court requires, in addition to any written correspondence the parties may engage in (letters and/or email), that the parties speak with each other about the discovery dispute. This requirement may be accomplished in person, over the telephone or through videoconferencing.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute e)
Parties must meet and confer in good faith before filing a discovery motion or seeking an informal discovery conference.
Before filing a discovery motion or seeking an informal telephonic discovery conference, the parties shall meet and confer in a good faith effort to resolve the dispute without court action.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute a)
The court will resolve discovery disputes informally outside Local Rule 251 upon the parties' request, but all parties must agree to the informal process before contacting the court and are bound by any resulting discovery ruling.
Judge Guy Castillo will resolve discovery disputes outside the formal Local Rule 251 procedures pursuant to the parties' request. The parties must agree among themselves to the informal discovery process before contacting the Court. By requesting an informal discovery dispute conference, the parties are agreeing to be bound by any discovery ruling arising out of the informal proceedings.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Parties need not clear or reserve motion hearing dates; the Court will reschedule by minute order if a filed motion conflicts with its calendar.
Parties do not need to clear a motion hearing date. File your moving papers in accordance with the Local and Federal Rules; if the date conflicts with the Court's calendar, the Court will reschedule the matter by minute order. MOTION DATES ARE NOT RESERVED.
Page 1 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances of civil trials that conflict with a prioritized criminal trial will not be entertained absent a specific and stated finding of good cause, and the civil trial will instead trail the criminal case.
Presently, when a civil trial is set before the district judge, any criminal trial set which conflicts with a civil trial, even though the civil trial was set first, will take priority. Continuances of civil trials under these circumstances will no longer be entertained, absent a specific and stated finding of good cause, but will instead trail the completion of the criminal case.
Page 1 | Consent
Continuances of civil trials conflicting with criminal trials are only granted with a specific, stated finding of good cause.
Continuances of civil trials under these circumstances will no longer be entertained, absent a specific and stated finding of good cause, but will instead trail the completion of the criminal case.
Civil cases
Page 1 | Consent
Chambers Communication Rules
Discovery dispute summaries must be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
The parties' summaries (without exhibits or attachments) MUST be emailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Proposed orders and stipulations must be submitted to chambers by email at egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
As required by Local Rule 137(b), counsel shall submit all proposed orders, stipulations, etc., in Microsoft Word format, to chambers at egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
Page 3 | Civil Law and Motion Calendar
Zoom or Telephonic appearances for scheduling conferences and certain law and motions by local or out-of-town counsel are generally acceptable with prior approval. b) Please notify the Courtroom Deputy if one or more attorneys will be appearing remotely, so that a notation can be placed on the court calendar and the dial in information can be provided.
Zoom or Telephonic appearances for scheduling conferences and certain law and motions by local or out-of-town counsel are generally acceptable with prior approval. b) Please notify the Courtroom Deputy if one or more attorneys will be appearing remotely, so that a notation can be placed on the court calendar and the dial in information can be provided.
Page 2 | Remote Appearances
A copy of the joint scheduling conference report must be e-mailed to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov.
a copy shall be e-mailed, to egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov
Page 2 | Scheduling Conferences
For unresolved deposition objections or disputes, parties may contact the court after meeting and conferring to seek informal resolution without postponing the deposition or filing a motion.
If during a deposition, an objection or dispute can't be resolved, you may, after meeting and conferring, contact the Court to see if Judge Guy Castillo can resolve it informally without the need to postpone or file a motion.
Page 2 | Informal Telephonic Conference re Discovery Dispute
Chambers contact information: email egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov, courtroom deputy Wendy Kusamura email wkusamura@caed.uscourts.gov, phone (559) 499-5902, fax (559) 499-5903.
e-mail: egcorders@caed.uscourts.gov, Courtroom Deputy Clerk, Wendy Kusamura, wkusamura@caed.uscourts.gov, Office: (559) 499-5902, Fax: (559) 499-5903
Civil cases
Page 1 | Header - Contact Information
Please notify the Courtroom Deputy if one or more attorneys will be appearing remotely, so that a notation can be placed on the court calendar and the dial in information can be provided.
Please notify the Courtroom Deputy if one or more attorneys will be appearing remotely, so that a notation can be placed on the court calendar and the dial in information can be provided.
Civil cases
Page 2 | Remote Appearances