Central District of California
Local rules, motion practice, and judge procedures for C.D. Cal. practitioners.
New to this court? Start here.
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Calendar court — you set the hearing date. Pick your Motion Day first; opposition is due 21 days out, reply 14 days, notice 28 days. FRCP defaults don't apply.
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Meet and confer is mandatory on every motion. L.R. 7-3 requires an in-person, phone, or video conference at least 7 days before filing any motion — not just discovery. Miss it and the motion is rejected.
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Discovery motions use a joint stipulation. You and opposing counsel draft and file a single document together — not a standard motion. Budget extra time for that coordination.
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Your judge's standing orders override the local rules on specifics. Most judges have supplemental requirements. Check them before you file anything.
Individual Judge Procedures
All 37 judges coveredStanding orders, page limits, motion days, tentative rulings, and key traps — every active district judge in C.D. Cal.
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Quick Reference
Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Central District of California.
| Topic | Rule | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Font | L.R. 11-3.1.1 | Proportionally spaced: 14-point minimum. Monospaced: max 10.5 characters/inch. |
| Spacing | L.R. 11-3.6 | Double-spaced, including citations and quotations. Footnotes may be single-spaced. |
| Word limit (motions) | L.R. 11-6.1 | 7,000 words (includes headings, footnotes, quotations; excludes caption, TOC, TOA, signature block, certificate of compliance). |
| How hearings are set | L.R. 6-1 | Movant selects a Motion Day on the assigned judge's calendar and files notice designating that date. |
| Motion notice filed | L.R. 6-1 | 28 days before hearing (31 if served by mail). |
| Opposition due | L.R. 7-9 | 21 days before hearing (new trial motions: 10 days after service). |
| Reply due | L.R. 7-10 | 14 days before hearing. |
| Sur-reply | L.R. 7-10 | Not permitted without prior written court order. |
| Meet and confer required | L.R. 7-3 | Yes — in person, by phone, or video, at least 7 days before filing. |
| Discovery meet and confer | L.R. 37-1 | Same-county: must be in person at movant's counsel's office. Different counties: telephonic. |
| Discovery motion format | L.R. 37-2 | Joint stipulation required — not separate briefs. |
| Interrogatory limit | FRCP 33 | 25 including subparts (no local modification). |
| SUF required (SJ)? | L.R. 56-1 | Yes — separate document with numbered facts and pinpoint citations. |
| Opposition format (SJ) | L.R. 56-2 | Two-column Statement of Genuine Disputes (mandatory format). |
| Failure to oppose MSJ | L.R. 7-12 | MSJ may NOT be granted solely on failure to file opposition. |
| Mandatory chambers copies | L.R. 5-4.5 | Yes — one copy, delivered by noon next business day, labeled 'MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPY'. |
| Filing deadline | L.R. 5-4.6.1 | Before midnight Pacific Time. |
| Pro hac vice fee | General Order 25-05 | $450 per case. |
| Local counsel required (PHV) | L.R. 83-2.1.3.4 | Yes — CDCA bar member with office physically in the District. |
| Failure to appear | L.R. 7-14 | May be deemed consent to a ruling adverse to your position. |
Orientation
At a Glance
Quick-reference summary of the most frequently needed rules for the Central District of California. | Topic | Rule |...
Operating Model
## Operating Model — Calendar Court CA-CD is a calendar court. The party files the motion and selects a hearing date —...
Watchpoints
## Watchpoints — Central District of California CA-CD has several distinctive aspects of its motion practice — the...
Pro Hac Vice
CDCA pro hac vice admission costs $450 per case (General Order 25-05). Cannot appear PHV if you reside in California,...
Filing & Formatting
Challenging the Forum
Challenging the Pleadings
Motion Practice
Briefing Schedule & Deadlines
Opposition due 21 days before hearing. Reply due 14 days before hearing. Sur-replies not permitted without prior written...
Meet and Confer
L.R. 7-3 requires an in-person, telephone, or video conference at least 7 days before filing any motion. If unresolved,...