Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Magistrate Judge Peter H. Kang -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
San Francisco Division
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Plaintiff (or removing defendant) must serve both the Civil Standing Order AND the Discovery Standing Order on all other parties within 7 calendar days of their appearance -- file a certificate of service with the Clerk.
- 2. Zoom calendar availability does not create a hybrid hearing option -- all parties must appear in person unless court orders otherwise.
- 3. Discovery disputes are governed by a separate Discovery Standing Order -- do not use Civil L.R. 7-2 noticed motion procedure.
- 4. If party files dispositive motion, consent/declination to magistrate jurisdiction must be filed simultaneously.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Civil Law and Motion generally heard Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. When on criminal duty, Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. or as otherwise ordered. Check judge's calendar before noticing to confirm availability. All litigants must appear in person unless otherwise ordered. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)] |
| Motion Limit | Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(b): 25 pages maximum. |
| Reply Limit | Per Civ. L.R. 7-4(b): 15 pages maximum. |
| Chambers Copies | Conditional Not specified in excerpted standing order text. Check court website for chambers copy requirements. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)] |
| Remote Appearances | All litigants must appear in person unless otherwise ordered. Zoom availability for civil calendar does not constitute a hybrid hearing. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes governed by Judge Kang's separate Standing Order for Discovery in Civil Cases (available on court website). Do not use standard civil motion procedure for discovery disputes. Plaintiff is required to serve copies of both the Civil Standing Order and the Discovery Standing Order on all other parties within 7 calendar days of their appearance. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)] |
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
Civil Law and Motion generally heard Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. When on criminal duty, Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. or as otherwise ordered. Check judge's calendar before noticing to confirm availability. All litigants must appear in person unless otherwise ordered. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)]
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
Per Civ. L.R. 7-2(b): 25 pages maximum.
Opposition Limit
Per Civ. L.R. 7-4(b): 25 pages maximum.
Reply Limit
Per Civ. L.R. 7-4(b): 15 pages maximum.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
Conditional
Not specified in excerpted standing order text. Check court website for chambers copy requirements. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)]
Proposed Orders
Not specified in the excerpted text. Check court website for proposed order email address and requirements. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
All litigants must appear in person. Zoom availability for civil calendar does not constitute a hybrid hearing -- parties still must appear in person. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)]
Remote Appearances
All litigants must appear in person unless otherwise ordered. Zoom availability for civil calendar does not constitute a hybrid hearing.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes governed by Judge Kang's separate Standing Order for Discovery in Civil Cases (available on court website). Do not use standard civil motion procedure for discovery disputes. Plaintiff is required to serve copies of both the Civil Standing Order and the Discovery Standing Order on all other parties within 7 calendar days of their appearance. [Judge Kang Standing Order for Civil Cases (Effective July 16, 2025)]
Discovery Motion Process
For discovery disputes, follow the procedure in Judge Kang's Standing Order for Discovery in Civil Cases (available at https://www.cand.uscourts.gov under Judges section).
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.
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Calendar-first magistrate, San Francisco Division. Civil Law and Motion Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. during criminal duty). All appearances in person. Separate Discovery Standing Order governs all discovery disputes. Service of both standing orders on all parties required within 7 days of appearance.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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