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.
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,...