Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo -- United States District Court, Central District of California

Courtroom 590, 5th Floor, Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Los Angeles

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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught

1. MANDATORY pre-motion telephonic conference before filing any discovery motion — impasse triggers 24-hour email deadline to the CRD
2. Discovery IDC request must be sent within 24 hours of the last meet-and-confer (does not apply to ex parte or in-custody parties)
3. Tentative rulings ISSUED but only provided to counsel at check-in with the CRD on the morning of the hearing — unusual for federal court
4. Civil motions heard Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.; motion may be taken under submission without oral argument at the court's discretion
5. All scheduled hearings IN PERSON unless otherwise noted — BUT informal discovery conferences proceed via Zoom (different modality by proceeding type)
6. Telephonic appearance request must be made at least 2 court days before hearing on a good-cause showing; no special appearances — counsel of record only
7. Settlement statements delivered to PVC_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov; settlement conferences generally Tuesdays or Thursdays 9:30 a.m.

Quick Reference

Topic	Rule
Motion Days	Civil motions are heard on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. It is not necessary to clear a civil motion date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (CRD) prior to filing the motion. The Court may take any motion under submission without oral argument. See Local Rule 7-15. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL SCHEDULED HEARINGS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON. However, informal discovery conferences will proceed via Zoom. [mj-castillo-pedro \| motion_hearing_days]
Chambers Copies	Conditional
Tentative Rulings	Tentative Rulings: If there is a tentative ruling on a motion, it will be provided to counsel at the time counsel checks in with the CRD. [mj-castillo-pedro \| tentative_rulings]
Remote Appearances	Telephonic Appearances, Special Appearances and Citations: Any party who wishes to appear at a hearing by telephone shall make such a request at least two court days before the hearing. Telephonic appearances are not allowed absent permission of the Court given on showing of good cause. The Court does not permit special appearances. Counsel of record shall appear at all court proceedings. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL SCHEDULED HEARINGS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON. However, informal discovery conferences will proceed via Zoom. [mj-castillo-pedro \| remote_appearances]

Procedural Briefing by Motion Type

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Before You File

Motion Days & Times

Civil motions are heard on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. It is not necessary to clear a civil motion date with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk (CRD) prior to filing the motion. The Court may take any motion under submission without oral argument. See Local Rule 7-15. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL SCHEDULED HEARINGS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON. However, informal discovery conferences will proceed via Zoom. [mj-castillo-pedro | motion_hearing_days]

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At Filing

Chambers Copies

Conditional

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Before the Hearing

Tentative Rulings

Tentative Rulings: If there is a tentative ruling on a motion, it will be provided to counsel at the time counsel checks in with the CRD. [mj-castillo-pedro | tentative_rulings]

Remote Appearances

Telephonic Appearances, Special Appearances and Citations: Any party who wishes to appear at a hearing by telephone shall make such a request at least two court days before the hearing. Telephonic appearances are not allowed absent permission of the Court given on showing of good cause. The Court does not permit special appearances. Counsel of record shall appear at all court proceedings. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL SCHEDULED HEARINGS WILL BE HELD IN PERSON. However, informal discovery conferences will proceed via Zoom. [mj-castillo-pedro | remote_appearances]

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Background Rules

Discovery Dispute Procedure

Pre-Motion Telephonic Conference: In the Court's experience, discovery disputes may often be resolved without the need for formal motion papers... First, as Local Civil Rule 37-1 requires, the parties must meet and confer in an attempt to resolve any discovery dispute. Once the parties have determined that they have reached an impasse, within twenty-four hours of the last conference, the movant must e-mail the CRD seeking a telephone conference with the Court to discuss the discovery dispute. This procedure does not apply to ex parte applications or where a party to the discovery dispute is in custody. [mj-castillo-pedro | discovery_dispute_procedure]

Sources & Currency

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