Judge Elizabeth J. Berns
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
Jury Instructions
- 1 copy • Email
Deposition Designations
Court-wide- As Directed in Pretrial Order
Filings >= 500 pages
Court-wide- Hand Delivery
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Court-wideChambers
Document Format Requirements2 rules
All proposed orders should be submitted in MS Word format.
- File type
- Word
- Proposed order
The official “Clerk’s Copy” exhibit binders for civil cases shall be separated by numbered tabs (per the Pre-Trial Order) and will be marked prior to the start of trial by the courtroom clerk.
Document Filing Requirements2 rules
Objections to proposed Findings and Conclusions should be presented to the court in writing following the conclusion of the trial.
The Findings of Fact should be limited to a statement of the essential ultimate facts and Conclusions of Law should be limited to the essential legal conclusions.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
All working papers should be submitted by using the Clerk’s Office Electronic Portal submission, after e-filing your documents. Judge Berns does not accept working copies by email.
All working papers should be submitted by using the Clerk’s Office Electronic Portal submission, after e-filing your documents. Judge Berns does not accept working copies by email.
Page 1 | Requests - General information
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Proposed jury instructions must be served and filed before commencement of trial, per the local rules.
Proposed jury instructions shall be served and filed prior to commencement of trial, per the local rules.
Page 1 | Jury Instructions (CR 51 and CRR 6.15)
In non-jury cases, proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law must be submitted promptly after the trial or hearing concludes.
In non-jury cases, counsel/parties shall submit proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law promptly following the conclusion of the trial or hearing.
Page 1 | Presentation of findings and conclusions
Service and Proof of Service Rules
Orders are e-signed and e-served electronically, and parties are responsible for signing up for e-service through the Clerk's Office.
Judge Berns will then e-sign and e-serve orders electronically. Parties are responsible for signing up for e-service, through the Clerk’s Office.
Page 1 | Requests - General information
Courtesy Copy Requirements
An uncited set of jury instructions (Instruction No. ______, no proposing-party identification) with a cover page entitled 'Court's Instructions to the Jury' must be provided to the court, emailed to the bailiff in Word format.
Additionally, counsel/parties shall provide the court with one uncited copy (i.e., “Instruction No. ______”) with no identification as to the proposing party. The copy should also include a cover page entitled “Court’s Instructions to the Jury.” The court’s copy should be emailed to the bailiff and submitted in Word format.
Page 1 | Jury Instructions (CR 51 and CRR 6.15)
Proposed cited jury instructions must be provided as one hard copy and one electronic copy, numbered and identified by proposing party with supporting annotations, with the court's copy emailed to the bailiff in Word format.
Counsel or parties shall provide one hard copy and one electronic copy of the proposed cited instructions, numbered and identified as to proposing party, along with supporting annotations. The court’s copy should be emailed to the bailiff and submitted in Word format.
Page 1 | Jury Instructions (CR 51 and CRR 6.15)