Filing & Service
C.D. Cal. — All civil documents must be filed electronically via CM/ECF.
All civil documents must be filed electronically via CM/ECF. Filing deadline is midnight Pacific Time. Electronic signatures using "/s/ [name]" are permitted. CDCA requires mandatory chambers copies — one copy of every e-filed document, delivered by noon the next business day, labeled "MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPY." L.R. 5-3 through 5-4.
Electronic Filing
| Requirement | Rule | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory e-filing | L.R. 5-4.1 | All documents in civil cases via CM/ECF. |
| Pro se | L.R. 5-4.1.1 | Non-incarcerated pro se litigants may seek leave of court to e-file in their case; otherwise file in paper. |
| File format | L.R. 5-4.3.1 | PDF. Generated from word processing file, not scanned (except signature pages). |
| Filing deadline | L.R. 5-4.6.1 | Before midnight Pacific Time. |
| Technical failure | L.R. 5-4.6.2 | Contact the CM/ECF Help Desk immediately (unless a Notice of CM/ECF Unavailability is posted); try to e-file at least twice, at least one hour apart; if both attempts fail, the Clerk will accept the document in paper that same day if time permits. If the delay makes the filing untimely, attach a declaration describing the failed attempts and an application for leave to file. The rule does not authorize extending a deadline that cannot be extended by statute or rule. |
| Signatures | L.R. 5-4.3.4 | "/s/ [name]" permitted. |
Service
Electronic service (L.R. 5-3.2.1): CM/ECF filing = service on all registered users. NEF is proof of service.
Non-electronic (L.R. 5-3.1): For parties not on CM/ECF, serve per FRCP 5.
Mandatory Chambers Copies (L.R. 5-4.5)
One copy of every e-filed document. Delivered by noon next business day. Must comply with L.R. 11-3 (blue-backed, proper font, tabbed exhibits). Labeled "MANDATORY CHAMBERS COPY" on face page. Include CM/ECF header and NEF as last page. Check judge for delivery location.
Practice tip: Some judges have stopped requiring chambers copies. Check standing order.