Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Charles R. Breyer -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. 15-page cap on all non-SJ motion and opposition briefs -- significantly tighter than the local-rule default of 25; filing a 25-page brief is an immediate violation.
- 2. Briefs exceeding 10 pages require a summary of argument section -- easy to omit if accustomed to standard local-rule practice.
- 3. One summary judgment motion per party -- leave of court required to file more.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Fridays at 10:00 a.m. No hearing reservation required. Check the Court website for unavailable dates. Noticed dates may be reset as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge Breyer General Standing Order (rev. 7-16-2025), § B.2] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum for all non-SJ motions (deviation from Civ. L.R. 7-2(b) default of 25). Briefs exceeding 10 pages must include a summary of argument. Summary judgment motions: 25 pages. [Judge Breyer General Standing Order (rev. 7-16-2025), § C] |
| Reply Limit | 15 pages maximum (Breyer's 15-page cap applies to all non-SJ briefs; no separate reply limit stated). |
| Chambers Copies | Conditional |
| Discovery | Not specified in standing order. Follows district default: discovery disputes handled by assigned magistrate judge under Civ. L.R. 37. |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
N.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other N.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
Fridays at 10:00 a.m. No hearing reservation required. Check the Court website for unavailable dates. Noticed dates may be reset as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge Breyer General Standing Order (rev. 7-16-2025), § B.2]
Notice Period
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(a): 35 days after filing. FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum for all non-SJ motions (deviation from Civ. L.R. 7-2(b) default of 25). Briefs exceeding 10 pages must include a summary of argument. Summary judgment motions: 25 pages. [Judge Breyer General Standing Order (rev. 7-16-2025), § C]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum for all non-SJ oppositions (deviation from Civ. L.R. 7-4(b) default of 25). Briefs exceeding 10 pages must include a summary of argument.
Reply Limit
15 pages maximum (Breyer's 15-page cap applies to all non-SJ briefs; no separate reply limit stated).
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional
Proposed Orders
Required with every motion and opposition filing. Counsel shall submit a proposed form of order with all motion and opposition papers. [Judge Breyer General Standing Order (rev. 7-16-2025), § C]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Oral argument is held on the Friday calendar. Judge Breyer expressly invites junior lawyers and lawyers from underrepresented groups to argue motions they helped prepare. [Judge Breyer General Standing Order (rev. 7-16-2025), § D]
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Not specified in standing order. Follows district default: discovery disputes handled by assigned magistrate judge under Civ. L.R. 37.
Discovery Motion Process
Not specified in standing order beyond district local rules.
Ex Parte Applications
Per Civ. L.R. 7-10: Permitted only if authorized by statute, Federal Rule, local rule, or standing order. Cite authority in motion. Scheduling changes require a signed stipulation and proposed order, or if stipulation is not possible, a written ex parte application.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Breyer's most significant deviation from local rules is the 15-page cap on non-SJ motion briefs. Civil motions: Fridays at 10:00 a.m.; no reservation required. Case management conferences: Fridays at 8:30 a.m. Proposed orders required with every motion and opposition. Encourages junior and underrepresented counsel to argue at hearing.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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