Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Fred W. Slaughter — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 10D, 10th Floor, Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Santa Ana
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Proposed order must be received by email before Court will consider any motion, stipulation, or ex parte application — filing may be stricken without it
- 2. Times New Roman required — footnotes must be same font and size as body text (14pt minimum)
- 3. ALL documents must be OCR'd text-searchable, including pleadings and exhibits
- 4. Rule 56 motions must be filed 42 days before hearing — not the standard 28 days
- 5. TRO chambers copies must be provided on the same day of filing — not the following business day
- 6. Opposition to ex parte due within 24 hours of receipt OR 24 hours after filing, whichever is earlier — unusual double trigger
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. (if Thursday is a holiday, next Thursday). Criminal motions: Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. (must contact CRD for available criminal hearing date before filing). |
| Motion Limit | 7,000 words (Local Rule 11-6), including headings, footnotes, quotations, excluding caption, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, and indices/exhibits. |
| Reply Limit | Follows Local Rule 7-10 for standard motions; for Rule 56 motions, reply due 21 days before hearing. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Civil matters: all motions and related documents (oppositions, replies, exhibits); ex parte applications (excluding pro hac vice... |
| Tentative Rulings | Not specified. |
| Remote Appearances | ALL hearings in person in Courtroom 10D unless otherwise ordered. Requests for telephonic/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. |
| Discovery | Yes — 'All discovery matters have been referred to a Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes.' (Civil Standing Order, Section VII). All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in caption. Do not deliver courtesy copies of discovery documents to Judge Slaughter's chambers. Magistrate Judge's decision final per 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(A); motion for review must be filed within 14 days of written or stated-oral ruling. |
mail Subscribe to Judge Slaughter procedures email updates
Primary sources. No fluff. Straight to your inbox.
chevron_right
Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. (if Thursday is a holiday, next Thursday). Criminal motions: Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. (must contact CRD for available criminal hearing date before filing).
Notice Period
Standard motions: 28 days before hearing (Local Rule 6-1). Rule 56 motions: 42 days before hearing; opposition 28 days before; reply 21 days before.
Motion Page / Word Limit
7,000 words (Local Rule 11-6), including headings, footnotes, quotations, excluding caption, table of contents, table of authorities, signature block, and indices/exhibits.
Opposition Limit
7,000 words
Reply Limit
Follows Local Rule 7-10 for standard motions; for Rule 56 motions, reply due 21 days before hearing.
Font & Formatting
Times New Roman font required. Text no less than 14 point. Footnotes must be in the same font and same size as the body of the memorandum. All documents must be text-searchable (OCR'd). Bluebook style required for citations.
Footnote Policy
Footnotes must be in the same font and same size as the body of the memorandum. Word count includes footnotes.
chevron_right
At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Civil matters: all motions and related documents (oppositions, replies, exhibits); ex parte applications (excluding pro hac vice applications) and related documents; and all pretrial documents. Criminal matters: all motions and related documents and exhibits; plea agreements; and sentencing positions. Must be delivered by noon following the date of filing (Local Rule 5-4.5) to chambers copy box on 10th Floor of the Ronald Reagan Federal Building in Santa Ana, or sent via overnight mail. No blue backing required. 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. TRO-related documents: parties must provide chambers copies on the same day they are filed.
ECF Stamp Requirements
Not specifically stated as a separate requirement, but chambers copies must comply with Local Rule 5-4.5.
Proposed Orders
Must be submitted in Word-processing format only. Emailed to FWS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Strict compliance with Local Rule 5-4.4.2 required. Court will not consider a motion, stipulation, ex parte application, or other request for relief unless a compliant proposed order is received by email. A filing may be stricken for failure to timely comply. Also: courtesy copies of attorneys' fee tables must be emailed in Excel format (all restrictions removed) to FWS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
chevron_right
Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not specified.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
If the court deems a matter appropriate for decision without oral argument, court will take matter under submission and notify parties before the hearing.
Remote Appearances
ALL hearings in person in Courtroom 10D unless otherwise ordered. Requests for telephonic/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.
chevron_right
Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Counsel must not attempt to contact the court or chambers staff by email, telephone, or by any other ex parte means. Do not contact Courtroom Deputy to inquire about status of any matter or to seek legal advice. Appropriate matters only — must be by email with a copy to all parties at FWS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
Discovery Referral
Yes — 'All discovery matters have been referred to a Magistrate Judge, who will hear all discovery disputes.' (Civil Standing Order, Section VII). All discovery documents must include 'DISCOVERY MATTER' in caption. Do not deliver courtesy copies of discovery documents to Judge Slaughter's chambers. Magistrate Judge's decision final per 28 U.S.C. 636(b)(1)(A); motion for review must be filed within 14 days of written or stated-oral ruling.
Discovery Motion Process
All discovery motions and proposed protective orders calendared before the assigned Magistrate Judge. Counsel must follow Magistrate Judge's procedures for scheduling.
Ex Parte Applications
Opposing party's opposition (or notice of non-opposition) is due 24 hours after the other parties' receipt of the ex parte application or within 24 hours after the ex parte application is filed, whichever is earlier. Notice of non-opposition may be provided telephonically to the Courtroom Deputy. Court considers ex parte applications on the papers — counsel need not set ex parte applications for a hearing date.
Settlement Notification
Not specified separately beyond Local Rules.
Lead Counsel
Lead trial counsel shall attend any proceeding before this court, including all Scheduling, Pretrial, and Settlement Conferences. Junior counsel participation encouraged.
Under Seal Filings
Comply with Local Rule 79-5. Meet and confer before filing application. Strong presumption of public access. Sealing must be justified item-by-item; blanket claims denied. File complete version under seal and redacted version for public viewing. Sealed document chambers copies delivered to Clerk's Office Intake window.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances granted only on showing of good cause. Requests by motion, stipulation, or application with declaration. Declaration must include prior continuances and whether granted/denied. Stipulations not effective unless approved by Court. Calendar conflicts: notify both judges' courtroom deputies at least three (3) days in advance; defer to most senior judge and request priority. 'Notice of Unavailability' has no legal effect and should not be filed.
chevron_right
AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Civil Standing Order updated 09-23-2024 governs. AI use disclosure: any party using generative AI (ChatGPT, Harvey, CoCounsel, Google Bard) to generate any portion of a filing must attach a separate declaration disclosing use and certifying review of source material and verification of accuracy. One summary judgment motion per party. No cross-motions for summary judgment on same legal issues. Trials: Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Exhibits delivered to CRD 12:00 p.m. six days before trial; special arrangements for voluminous exhibits eight days before trial.
Sources & Currency
verified
Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
Verify now →