Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 9C, 9th Floor, First Street Courthouse, Los Angeles
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Civil motions taken under submission as of the calendared date — no appearance necessary; verify court has not sent notice requiring appearance before skipping the hearing.
- 2. Chambers copies required for ALL electronically filed documents — every filing, not just motions or select filings.
- 3. Jury instructions due no later than 1 week before trial; submitted in mandatory hard copy AND emailed in Word to CRD.
- 4. Law clerks may not be contacted by counsel — all communications go through CRD.
- 5. JPS only — no standing orders available; profile may be incomplete.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Mondays, excluding holidays (civil — taken under submission as of calendared date, no appearance necessary unless court notifies); Mondays at 10:00 a.m. (criminal); motions and status/pretrial conferences on first and third Mondays of each month |
| Motion Limit | Not specified. |
| Reply Limit | Not specified. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required ALL electronically filed documents require mandatory chambers copies. Delivered to Courtroom Deputy at Clerk's Office, 4th Floor Customer... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not specified. |
| Remote Appearances | All hearings in-person in Courtroom 9C or other courtroom as assigned, unless otherwise ordered by Court. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'Discovery motions are to be calendared before the magistrate judge. Counsel should contact the magistrate judge's court clerk regarding these motions.' |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Mondays, excluding holidays (civil — taken under submission as of calendared date, no appearance necessary unless court notifies); Mondays at 10:00 a.m. (criminal); motions and status/pretrial conferences on first and third Mondays of each month
Notice Period
Not specified — Local Rule defaults apply.
Motion Page / Word Limit
Not specified.
Opposition Limit
Not specified.
Reply Limit
Not specified.
Font & Formatting
Not specified.
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
ALL electronically filed documents require mandatory chambers copies. Delivered to Courtroom Deputy at Clerk's Office, 4th Floor Customer Service Window, 350 W. 1st Street Courthouse, by 12 noon the next business day. Must be stamped 'COURT COPY.' Must include CM/ECF generated header at top of each page and NEF as last page. No blue backs required. May also be mailed in.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Yes — CM/ECF generated header at top of each page and NEF as last page required on all chambers copies.
Proposed Orders
Email proposed order in WordPerfect or Microsoft Word to TJH_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov when seeking approval of a stipulation. Check docket on PACER for status once approved.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not specified.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Civil motions taken under submission as of the calendared date per L.R. 83-9.2 — no appearance necessary unless court notifies parties. Criminal motions heard in person.
Remote Appearances
All hearings in-person in Courtroom 9C or other courtroom as assigned, unless otherwise ordered by Court.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
All communications submitted to CRD unless expressly authorized to contact chambers. Counsel are NOT to contact the judge's law clerks. CRD prefers email: TJH_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Telephonic status inquiries may not be returned.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'Discovery motions are to be calendared before the magistrate judge. Counsel should contact the magistrate judge's court clerk regarding these motions.'
Discovery Motion Process
Calendared before assigned magistrate judge. Contact magistrate judge's court clerk to schedule.
Ex Parte Applications
Must comply with L.R. 7-19. Opposing counsel who intends to submit written objection must immediately notify CRD by email at TJH_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Settlement Notification
Not specified.
Lead Counsel
Not specifically stated.
Under Seal Filings
Refer to Local Rules 79-5 for both civil and criminal under seal filings.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
To request continuance: submit stipulation or ex parte application and proposed order stating reason. Alert CRD no later than 3 days before scheduled hearing date. Calendar conflicts: contact CRD to alert of any conflicts.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Profile based solely on JPS procedures — no standing orders were available in raw files. Civil motions submitted on papers per L.R. 83-9.2. Judge Hatter prefers jury instructions from Kevin F. O'Malley, Federal Jury Practice and Instruction. Trial runs Tuesday-Friday (except holidays): first day begins at 10:00 a.m., subsequent days 9:00 a.m., adjourns 4:00-5:00 p.m. Two exhibit sets (original and bench copy) in 3-ring binders submitted first day of trial. Depositions may be brought 7 days prior or first day of trial; bring 1 original and 1 copy.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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