Procedures verified May 27, 2026
Judge Christina A. Snyder — United States District Court, Central District of California
Courtroom 8D, 8th Floor, Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse, Los Angeles
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Mandatory copies must be 2-hole punched and efile notification date must be visible on or as the first page — specific unique format requirement
- 2. Email correspondence with the CRD is not allowed unless prior authorization was given — most other judges allow email to CRD
- 3. Motions in limine: no replies permitted — filing one will not be considered
- 4. Multiple motions filed to address separate issues to circumvent page limits will not be considered — must seek leave first
- 5. Ex parte opposition window is 48 hours from delivery of papers — not the more common 24 hours
- 6. In antitrust, patent, and securities cases: two mandatory chambers copies required (not one)
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil motions: Mondays at 10:00 a.m. Criminal motions: Mondays at 1:30 p.m. If Monday is a national holiday, the following Monday is the motion day; all noticed matters stand for hearing on the following Monday without special order or notice. |
| Motion Limit | Follows Local Rules (25 pages). Court will rarely grant leave to exceed authorized page limits. Filing multiple motions to circumvent page limits is specifically prohibited — such motions will not be considered without leave. |
| Reply Limit | Follows Local Rules (10 pages). For motions in limine: no replies permitted. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Mandatory copies of electronically filed documents must be delivered to the judge's mailbox outside the Clerk's Office on the 4th floor of... |
| Tentative Rulings | Yes — the Court provides oral or written tentative rulings on most motions. Written tentative rulings are provided to counsel on the date of the scheduled hearing; the courtroom is open 20 minutes before calendar call for counsel to obtain written tentative rulings if available. In some cases, counsel will be notified that the motion has been taken under submission and that counsel need not appear for oral argument. |
| Remote Appearances | Judge Snyder will permit oral argument telephonically if: (a) all involved parties consent; (b) the parties anticipate presenting limited argument; and (c) the Court's calendar permits. Arrangements must be made by filing a request and proposed order no later than three business days prior to the scheduled hearing. CRD must be notified by the moving party of all counsels' intention to participate by the Wednesday prior to the Monday hearing. The party bringing the motion initiates the conference call. |
| Discovery | Yes — Judge Snyder has a blanket referral of all discovery matters to be handled by the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case. Court expects that by the discovery cutoff date, all discovery motions to compel will be on file and argued (but not necessarily decided). The only discovery that may be conducted after the cutoff without leave is discovery ordered by the Magistrate Judge for which a timely-filed motion was pending and argued before the cutoff. |
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Civil motions: Mondays at 10:00 a.m. Criminal motions: Mondays at 1:30 p.m. If Monday is a national holiday, the following Monday is the motion day; all noticed matters stand for hearing on the following Monday without special order or notice.
Notice Period
28 days (Local Rule 7). Counsel refer to applicable rules regarding notice. The Court does not reserve hearing dates for any motions.
Motion Page / Word Limit
Follows Local Rules (25 pages). Court will rarely grant leave to exceed authorized page limits. Filing multiple motions to circumvent page limits is specifically prohibited — such motions will not be considered without leave.
Opposition Limit
Follows Local Rules (25 pages)
Reply Limit
Follows Local Rules (10 pages). For motions in limine: no replies permitted.
Font & Formatting
Follows Local Rules.
Footnote Policy
Not specified separately.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Mandatory copies of electronically filed documents must be delivered to the judge's mailbox outside the Clerk's Office on the 4th floor of the 1st Street Courthouse, no later than 12:00 p.m. on the first court day following the date when the documents are required to be filed. Mandatory copies shall be 2-hole punched and the efile notification date shall be visible on or as the first page. In antitrust, patent, and federal securities law cases (and other designated cases), counsel must deliver two (2) mandatory copies of all documents. Mandatory copy documents shall include tabs to separate exhibits, declarations, etc., where applicable. Court will also accept fax courtesy copies not exceeding 5 pages in length total (fax: 213-894-0375).
ECF Stamp Requirements
Yes — efile notification date shall be visible on or as the first page of mandatory chambers copies. Copies must be 2-hole punched.
Proposed Orders
Counsel shall email all proposed orders to the Courtroom Deputy Clerk in 'Word' or 'WordPerfect' format to CAS_Chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Yes — the Court provides oral or written tentative rulings on most motions. Written tentative rulings are provided to counsel on the date of the scheduled hearing; the courtroom is open 20 minutes before calendar call for counsel to obtain written tentative rulings if available. In some cases, counsel will be notified that the motion has been taken under submission and that counsel need not appear for oral argument.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
Not specified.
Oral Argument
Hearings conducted in person on Mondays. The Court provides tentative rulings on most motions and will notify counsel if it does not require oral argument. Telephonic argument permitted under specific conditions (see remote appearances).
Remote Appearances
Judge Snyder will permit oral argument telephonically if: (a) all involved parties consent; (b) the parties anticipate presenting limited argument; and (c) the Court's calendar permits. Arrangements must be made by filing a request and proposed order no later than three business days prior to the scheduled hearing. CRD must be notified by the moving party of all counsels' intention to participate by the Wednesday prior to the Monday hearing. The party bringing the motion initiates the conference call.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Unless counsel have been expressly authorized to communicate with chambers, all oral and written communications must be submitted only to the Courtroom Deputy, Catherine Jeang, with copies to all counsel of record. Do not attempt to communicate in writing or by telephone with chambers. Note: email correspondence is not allowed unless prior authorization was given.
Discovery Referral
Yes — Judge Snyder has a blanket referral of all discovery matters to be handled by the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case. Court expects that by the discovery cutoff date, all discovery motions to compel will be on file and argued (but not necessarily decided). The only discovery that may be conducted after the cutoff without leave is discovery ordered by the Magistrate Judge for which a timely-filed motion was pending and argued before the cutoff.
Discovery Motion Process
All discovery motions set before the Magistrate Judge assigned to the case. Blanket referral.
Ex Parte Applications
The moving party shall inform the opposing party that they shall have 48 hours from the date of delivery of the moving papers to file and serve their opposition papers. No hearing will be held on any ex parte application unless deemed necessary by the Court — if hearing needed, counsel will be notified by the CRD.
Settlement Notification
Not separately specified beyond Local Rules.
Lead Counsel
Not specifically stated beyond Local Rule expectations.
Under Seal Filings
Civil: comply with Local Rule 79-5. Applications must comply with L.R. 79-5.2.2. Criminal: separate procedure under JPS.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
Continuances will only be granted based upon a showing of good cause. Stipulations effective ONLY when approved by the Court (Local Rule 16-8). Calendar conflicts: any person appearing must check in with the Courtroom Deputy Clerk prior to calendar call and advise of the calendar conflict — Court will provide priority position, hold matter to end of calendar, or permit party to submit on tentative ruling.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Notice to Counsel (older document) and JPS procedures together govern. Scheduling conferences generally held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Status conferences and pretrial conferences in civil cases on Mondays at 11:00 a.m. Motions in limine shall be noticed for hearing on the same date and time as the pretrial conference. Court will conduct voir dire in trials. Jury instructions due by Wednesday of the week prior to trial. Two (2) sets of exhibits (original and bench copy) submitted first day of trial in 3-ring binders (max 2.5 inches), numbered tabs, volume numbers on spine. Court hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (bench trials possibly to 6:30 p.m.).
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified May 27, 2026.
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