Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Mark C. Scarsi — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 7C, 7th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Briefing schedule differs significantly from Local Rules when motions are set 35+ days out — opposition and reply deadlines run from filing date, not hearing date
- 2. Reply briefs limited to 3,000 words — much stricter than most CACD judges
- 3. No paper chambers copies accepted — any paper delivered will be refused or destroyed
- 4. All ex parte applications must be emailed to chambers as PDF on same day as filing
- 5. Continuance requests must be filed at least 7 calendar days in advance — Court presumes no good cause if deadline passes within a week
- 6. Lead counsel unable to attend must request leave by Wednesday before the hearing or file for continuance of no more than one week
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil matters: Mondays at 9:00 a.m. Criminal matters: Mondays at 3:00 p.m. If Monday is a holiday, next available hearing date is the following Monday. |
| Motion Limit | Follows Local Rule 11-6 (7,000 word limit). Reply briefs may not exceed 3,000 words (excluding indices and exhibits). Handwritten/typewritten reply may not exceed 10 pages. |
| Reply Limit | 3,000 words maximum (or 10 pages if handwritten/typewritten), excluding indices and exhibits — stricter than Local Rule default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✗ Not required Mandatory chambers copies are not required. Unless subject to Local Rule 5-4.2, paper copies of any documents delivered to the Court will be... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not specified. Court will notify parties in advance if matter appropriate for decision without oral argument. |
| Remote Appearances | The Court does not permit remote appearances in civil cases. Remote appearances in criminal cases may be permitted upon an extraordinary showing of good cause. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All discovery matters, including all discovery motions, are referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge.' (Civil Standing Order, Section 8.a). All discovery-related documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption. Magistrate Judge's initials follow the District Judge's initials in the case number. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil matters: Mondays at 9:00 a.m. Criminal matters: Mondays at 3:00 p.m. If Monday is a holiday, next available hearing date is the following Monday.
Notice Period
28 days before hearing (Local Rule 6-1 default). For motions filed and set for hearing between 35 and 70 days from filing: opposition due 14 days after filing; reply due 21 days after filing. For motions filed and set for hearing more than 70 days from filing: opposition due 21 days after filing; reply due 35 days after filing. This briefing schedule differs significantly from Local Rules.
Motion Page / Word Limit
Follows Local Rule 11-6 (7,000 word limit). Reply briefs may not exceed 3,000 words (excluding indices and exhibits). Handwritten/typewritten reply may not exceed 10 pages.
Opposition Limit
Follows Local Rule 11-6 (7,000 word limit)
Reply Limit
3,000 words maximum (or 10 pages if handwritten/typewritten), excluding indices and exhibits — stricter than Local Rule default.
Font & Formatting
Follows Local Rule 11-3. All filings must conform to Local Rule 11-3.1.1: generally 14pt or larger for Times New Roman, 12pt or larger for Courier. All documents must be text-searchable and have selectable text.
Footnote Policy
Not specified separately. Word count includes footnotes per Local Rule 11-6.1.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✗ Not required
Mandatory chambers copies are not required. Unless subject to Local Rule 5-4.2, paper copies of any documents delivered to the Court will be refused or destroyed, and not considered. Electronic nonpaper exhibits (e.g., audio/video) must be provided on USB flash drive or via email link to mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Exhibits on CD or DVD will not be considered and will be destroyed unless the CD/DVD itself is a nonpaper exhibit.
ECF Stamp Requirements
No chambers copies required — ECF stamp requirement is moot.
Proposed Orders
All proposed signature items shall be e-filed as an attachment to the main document in PDF format AND e-mailed to mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov in Word format. Only proposed order signature items should be emailed to chambers. Do NOT email other associated documents, and do NOT use this email for communication with the Court. Proposed order must be emailed on the same day of e-filing.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not specified. Court will notify parties in advance if matter appropriate for decision without oral argument.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
If the Court deems a matter appropriate for decision without oral argument, Court will notify parties in advance (Local Rule 7-15). Requests to conduct or waive a hearing may not be honored.
Remote Appearances
The Court does not permit remote appearances in civil cases. Remote appearances in criminal cases may be permitted upon an extraordinary showing of good cause.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
No specific prohibition on phone stated in JPS, but general instruction is that calls regarding status of submitted matters will not be returned. Courtroom Deputy: Stephen Montes Kerr, Stephen_Montes_Kerr@cacd.uscourts.gov, 213-894-0051.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All discovery matters, including all discovery motions, are referred to the assigned United States Magistrate Judge.' (Civil Standing Order, Section 8.a). All discovery-related documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in the caption. Magistrate Judge's initials follow the District Judge's initials in the case number.
Discovery Motion Process
All discovery motions referred to assigned Magistrate Judge. Court will not reverse Magistrate Judge's order unless clearly erroneous or contrary to law (28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(A)). Motion for review must be filed within 14 days of service of written ruling or oral ruling stated not to be followed by a written ruling.
Ex Parte Applications
Oppositions must be filed within 24 hours of filing of the application, subject to Rule 6(a)(2). Counsel must provide advance notice by telephone and email to all other parties. Must advise of anticipated deadline to oppose. Must serve by fax, email, or personal service even if electronic service is effected. No replies authorized. All ex parte applications must be sent in PDF version to mcs_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov along with Word version of proposed order.
Settlement Notification
Not specified.
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel shall attend any scheduling, pretrial, or settlement conference unless engaged in trial. No special appearances. A party whose lead counsel cannot appear may request leave to appear by non-lead counsel, an order advancing the hearing, or an order continuing the hearing no longer than one week — request must be made by Wednesday before the subject hearing, supported by declaration showing good cause.
Under Seal Filings
Civil: comply with Local Rule 79-5.2.2. Detailed under-seal process for criminal matters specified in JPS (two separate procedures: sealing documents only, or sealing application + order + documents). For criminal under seal: send email to mcs_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov with PDF of application, declaration, Word version of proposed order, and PDF of documents to be sealed. Subject line must include case number plus 'UNDER SEAL REQUEST.' Civil: parties must meet and confer in person or by telephone at least seven calendar days before filing application; non-proposing party must confirm within two calendar days after meet-and-confer.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Case schedule is firm and will rarely be changed. Must submit request at least 7 calendar days before the earliest date subject to the request. Court presumes no good cause for any deadline that will pass within a week of request or has already passed. Must file application or stipulation with proposed order and detailed declaration. Calendar conflicts with senior judge: email CRD at least 3 days in advance with time of appearance, case name, and other judge's name.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Civil Standing Order September 2025 is the governing order. Multiple other template documents available on JPS (witness list, exhibit list, joint pretrial conference order, jury/court trial orders). AI use: not specified in these orders. Motions for summary judgment: parties need not wait until motion cutoff; must be filed at least 35 days before hearing. One motion per side. Evidentiary objections format: three-column format (objection language, grounds, ruling space) — specific and detailed format required.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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