Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 5C, 5th Floor, First Street Courthouse, Los Angeles
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. No tentative rulings — no advance notice of outcome; court decides on papers and may take matter off calendar without advance warning.
- 2. Proposed orders must use exact name 'Sherilyn Peace Garnett, United States District Judge' — incorrect spelling or title = unsigned order.
- 3. Meet and confer must be by videoconference or in person; email is explicitly insufficient, and non-compliance may result in OSC sanctions.
- 4. Chambers copies of civil motions generally not required — only MSJ papers; sending routine copies signals unfamiliarity.
- 5. All emails to CRD must copy all parties — unilateral emails to CRD are an ex parte contact violation.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (civil); Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. (criminal) |
| Motion Limit | 25 pages |
| Reply Limit | 15 pages |
| Chambers Copies | Conditional Civil: One mandatory chambers copy of MSJ papers only (joint brief, appendix of facts, appendix of evidence, related documents). Do not send... |
| Tentative Rulings | No — the Court does not issue written tentative rulings. |
| Remote Appearances | Not permitted absent good cause and prior Court approval. Request by filing a request plus proposed order by the Friday before the scheduled hearing. Do not contact CRD. If approved, use Zoom link on JPS page. Join 15 minutes early. Screen name: full name + (P) or (D) or (O) for public/media. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All discovery matters are referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge.' All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in caption. Do not deliver chambers copies of discovery matters to the district court. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. (civil); Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. (criminal)
Notice Period
Local Rule 7-9 and 7-10 briefing schedule applies; not separately specified beyond Local Rules for non-MSJ motions
Motion Page / Word Limit
25 pages
Opposition Limit
25 pages
Reply Limit
15 pages
Font & Formatting
Times New Roman 14-point minimum; Courier 12-point minimum per L.R. 11-3.1.1. Footnotes same font and size as body.
Footnote Policy
Footnotes must be in the same font and same size as the body of the memorandum. Citations that support a statement in the main text must be in the main text, not in footnotes.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional
Civil: One mandatory chambers copy of MSJ papers only (joint brief, appendix of facts, appendix of evidence, related documents). Do not send paper copies of any other civil documents unless requested. Criminal: All motions and related documents; plea agreements; sentencing position papers including PSR objections. Delivery: Judge Garnett's courtesy box outside 4th Floor Clerk's Office, First Street Courthouse (350 West 1st St, LA). By noon the day after e-filing. Must be printed from CM/ECF with ECF-generated header at top of each page and NEF as last page. Exhibits tabbed. No blue backs. No envelopes. Evidence over 50 pages: table of contents + tabbed binder (13/32" hole size preferred). Evidence over 200 pages: Slant D-Ring binder, max 4 inches. Binders must have cover sheet and spine label with case name, number, and contents description.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Yes — mandatory chambers copies must include CM/ECF-generated header at top of each page and NEF as last page.
Proposed Orders
Required. Must use 'Proposed Order' template from judge's website. On pleading paper, no attorney names on caption, no footer, no watermark. Format same as motions (14-pt Times New Roman or 12-pt Courier). Email Word copy + PDF of main document to SPG_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov per L.R. 5-4.4.2. Court will not consider stipulation or ex parte application until compliant proposed order received. Do not email motions to chambers. Name must read exactly 'Sherilyn Peace Garnett, United States District Judge.'
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
No — the Court does not issue written tentative rulings.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not applicable — no tentative rulings issued.
Oral Argument
Court may deem matter appropriate for decision without oral argument; will notify parties before hearing. If oral argument permitted, 10 minutes per side unless Court states otherwise.
Remote Appearances
Not permitted absent good cause and prior Court approval. Request by filing a request plus proposed order by the Friday before the scheduled hearing. Do not contact CRD. If approved, use Zoom link on JPS page. Join 15 minutes early. Screen name: full name + (P) or (D) or (O) for public/media.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel shall not contact the Court or Chambers staff by telephone or any other ex parte means. Contact CRD via email at SPG_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Must copy all parties on all such emails. Do not contact CRD about status of rulings or to continue proceedings. Status inquiries not responded to unless matter pending more than 90 days.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All discovery matters are referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge.' All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in caption. Do not deliver chambers copies of discovery matters to the district court.
Discovery Motion Process
All discovery matters calendared before assigned magistrate judge. Magistrate's decision final subject to clear error review. Motion for review of magistrate decision noticed before district court within 14 days of written or oral ruling.
Ex Parte Applications
Opposing papers due no later than 48 hours following service or by 3:00 p.m. on the first court day after service, whichever is later.
Settlement Notification
Counsel must notify the Court at least 2 weeks before scheduled hearing if parties are conducting settlement discussions that may render the motion moot; notify immediately if settlement reached. Belated notice may result in sanctions.
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel shall attend all proceedings, including scheduling, settlement, and pretrial conferences, and trials. Only one attorney may be designated lead trial counsel unless otherwise permitted by the Court.
Under Seal Filings
Civil: L.R. 79-5.2.2. Strong presumption of access. Each document must be individually justified — blanket confidentiality claims denied. Must redact non-confidential portions rather than seal entire document. Parties must meet and confer before filing application to seal. Meritless sealing requests may cause entire application to be denied.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances granted only on good cause. Request by motion or stipulation with detailed declaration (reasons, prior continuances, efforts to meet deadline, prejudice if denied). Stipulations not effective unless approved. Calendar conflicts: notify CRD via SPG_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov no later than 3 days before scheduled appearance.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
MSJ has its own standing order (7-1-25) with joint brief requirement, joint appendix of facts (JAF), joint appendix of evidence (JAE), joint appendix of objections (JAO); 5-week pre-hearing filing deadline for joint brief; 3-week reply deadline. Meet and confer for MSJ must be in person or by videoconference no later than 60 days before hearing cutoff. Motions in limine noticed 4 weeks before FPTC; Daubert motions 8 weeks before FPTC. Class certification motion due within 120 days of scheduling conference date. MSJ page limit: 25 pages per separately represented party; reply 10 pages; maximum 8 footnotes.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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