Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge James V. Selna — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 10C, 10th Floor, Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Santa Ana
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Tentative rulings posted Friday afternoon before Monday hearing — if no request for hearing by 5 p.m. Tuesday, matter submitted on papers and tentative becomes the order
- 2. Footnotes limited to 5 lines each — unique hard cap
- 3. No footnote shall exceed 5 lines AND no using footnotes to get around page limits — double prohibition
- 4. ALL pretrial documents require chambers copies — not just motions
- 5. Sealed documents must go to Clerk's Office Intake window, not the 10th floor chambers copy box
- 6. Each cited case must include a jump cite to the specific page(s) where relevant authority appears
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions: Mondays at 1:30 p.m. Criminal motions: Mondays at 9:00 a.m. If Monday is a holiday, next motion date is the following Monday. |
| Motion Limit | 25 pages (Local Rule 11-6 default — order references Local Rules without specifying different limits) |
| Reply Limit | 14 days before hearing (timing per Local Rule 7-10); no page limit override stated |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Civil matters: All motions and related documents (oppositions, replies, exhibits); ex parte applications (excluding PHV Applications) and... |
| Tentative Rulings | Yes — tentative rulings may be issued. Posted generally no later than mid-afternoon on the Friday prior to a Monday hearing on the Court's website. Also available approximately 1/2 hour prior to hearing in the courtroom. If all parties submit on the tentative ruling, advise the Courtroom Deputy and no appearance will be required. If the tentative does not state that the hearing is vacated, it is intended as preparation for the scheduled hearing. In some cases the Court will issue a tentative and then allow the parties to request a hearing — if no request submitted by 5:00 p.m. the day following the nominal hearing date, matter submitted on papers and tentative becomes the order. |
| Remote Appearances | ALL hearings in person in Courtroom 10C unless otherwise ordered. Requests for remote appearance must be filed no later than five (5) court days before the proceeding, supported by a declaration and proposed order showing good cause. Requests are rarely granted. Having counsel's office outside the District is not a basis to request a remote appearance. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All discovery motions are to be calendared before the magistrate judge.' (JPS Procedures, item 02). Standard CACD blanket referral. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions: Mondays at 1:30 p.m. Criminal motions: Mondays at 9:00 a.m. If Monday is a holiday, next motion date is the following Monday.
Notice Period
28 days before hearing (Local Rules). Counsel must comply with Federal and Local Rules regarding service when selecting a hearing date.
Motion Page / Word Limit
25 pages (Local Rule 11-6 default — order references Local Rules without specifying different limits)
Opposition Limit
21 days before hearing (timing per Local Rule 7-9)
Reply Limit
14 days before hearing (timing per Local Rule 7-10); no page limit override stated
Font & Formatting
All footnotes shall be in the same type size as text (Local Rule 11-3.1.1). No footnote shall exceed 5 lines. Footnotes shall not be used as a subterfuge to avoid page limitations.
Footnote Policy
No footnote shall exceed 5 lines. Court strongly discourages use of extensive footnotes as a subterfuge to avoid page limitations.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Civil matters: All motions and related documents (oppositions, replies, exhibits); ex parte applications (excluding PHV Applications) and related documents (oppositions and exhibits); and ALL PRETRIAL DOCUMENTS. Criminal matters: All motions and related documents and exhibits; plea agreements; and sentencing positions. NO BLUE BACKING REQUIRED. Delivered by noon following the date of filing (Local Rule 5-4.5) to mandatory chambers copy box on 10th Floor. Failure to deliver timely may result in delay in hearing or matter taken off calendar. Not necessary to send chambers copies of redacted documents. If document is an inch or more thick, place in a three ring binder. Sealed documents: delivered to Clerk's Office Intake window, placed in court's internal mail box.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specifically stated, but chambers copies must be delivered by noon following the filing date per Local Rule 5-4.5.
Proposed Orders
Must be emailed to JVS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov in Word or WordPerfect format. If a proposed judgment is endorsed by opposing party, Court will review and enter immediately. In all other cases, Court holds proposed judgment 7 days for objections. Proposed orders must reflect specific dates. Stipulations must be accompanied by proposed order including parties' proposed dates.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Yes — tentative rulings may be issued. Posted generally no later than mid-afternoon on the Friday prior to a Monday hearing on the Court's website. Also available approximately 1/2 hour prior to hearing in the courtroom. If all parties submit on the tentative ruling, advise the Courtroom Deputy and no appearance will be required. If the tentative does not state that the hearing is vacated, it is intended as preparation for the scheduled hearing. In some cases the Court will issue a tentative and then allow the parties to request a hearing — if no request submitted by 5:00 p.m. the day following the nominal hearing date, matter submitted on papers and tentative becomes the order.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Generally conducts hearings. Court will advise the parties no later than the Friday before the hearing if it does not believe oral argument will be helpful. Parties may request hearing by brief of not more than five pages filed by 5:00 p.m. the day following the nominal hearing date — if no request, matter submitted on papers.
Remote Appearances
ALL hearings in person in Courtroom 10C unless otherwise ordered. Requests for remote appearance must be filed no later than five (5) court days before the proceeding, supported by a declaration and proposed order showing good cause. Requests are rarely granted. Having counsel's office outside the District is not a basis to request a remote appearance.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel are not to initiate telephone calls to Judge Selna's chambers. Inquiries regarding status of a motion, stipulation, or proposed order are not available by phone (Local Rule 11-4.5). Contact Courtroom Deputy at JVS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All discovery motions are to be calendared before the magistrate judge.' (JPS Procedures, item 02). Standard CACD blanket referral.
Discovery Motion Process
All discovery motions calendared before the Magistrate Judge. Standard CACD process.
Ex Parte Applications
Moving party shall serve opposing party by Email (including CM/ECF System), FAX, or hand service and notify opposing party that any opposition must be filed not later than 24 hours after service. If counsel do not intend to oppose, must inform courtroom deputy by e-mail as soon as possible. Ex parte applications considered on the papers and are rarely set for hearings.
Settlement Notification
Not specifically stated beyond Local Rules.
Lead Counsel
Lead counsel shall appear on all dispositive motions, scheduling conferences, and settlement conferences. No special appearances; only counsel of record may appear.
Under Seal Filings
Civil: comply with Local Rule 79-5. Follow the Guide to Electronically Filing Under-Seal Documents in Civil Cases. Criminal: follow procedures in Proceedures for Presenting Criminal Documents Electronically for Under Seal Filing (separate document).
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
To request continuance: must make request at least five days prior to hearing date with statement of good cause. Proposed order must reflect specific dates requested. Calendar conflicts: advise courtroom deputy prior to the date of conflict.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Initial Order (2013/2021) and JPS procedures together govern. Judge Selna posts tentatives and allows parties to request hearings — hybrid system. Trial: short cases (under 10 days) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; longer cases 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with no lunch break. Exhibit binders: indexed by exhibit number with tabs/dividers on right side, spine labeled. Joint exhibit list and witness list (3 copies each) due first day of trial. Jury instructions due seven days prior to trial.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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