Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge P. Casey Pitts -- United States District Court, Northern District of California
Courtroom 8, 4th Floor, Robert F. Peckham Federal Building, 280 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
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Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Check scheduling notes at cand.uscourts.gov/pcp before noticing any motion -- Pitts's scheduling notes list unavailable dates and missing this step risks a wasted filing.
- 2. Zoom hearings require a separate motion filed one week in advance; they are not automatically granted. All hearings default to in-person.
- 3. Emergency relief: notify CRD by phone AND email, explain efforts to notify opposing party. Pitts will almost never grant emergency relief without requesting a response first -- do not expect an ex parte ruling.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Check Judge Pitts's scheduling notes at cand.uscourts.gov/pcp before noticing -- scheduling notes list unavailable dates. Motions may be rescheduled as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge Pitts Civil Standing Order (eff. Aug. 2024)] |
| 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 Standing order does not require chambers copies. |
| Remote Appearances | Hearings are in person unless specifically indicated on the docket. Motions for remote Zoom appearance must be filed one week in advance and are not always granted. |
| Discovery | Not expressly stated in standing order. Governed by Civ. L.R. 72-1; check case-specific referral order for assigned magistrate. [Civ. L.R. 72-1] |
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
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Check Judge Pitts's scheduling notes at cand.uscourts.gov/pcp before noticing -- scheduling notes list unavailable dates. Motions may be rescheduled as the Court's calendar requires. [Judge Pitts Civil Standing Order (eff. Aug. 2024)]
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
Standing order does not require chambers copies.
Proposed Orders
Per Civ. L.R. 5-1(f): PDF attached to motion; Word format emailed to chambers. CRD: Nicole Coleman at pcpcrd@cand.uscourts.gov. [Civ. L.R. 5-1(f)]
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Before the Hearing
Oral Argument
Hearings are in person unless specifically noted on the docket. Motions to appear remotely via Zoom must be filed one week in advance and are not always granted. [Judge Pitts Civil Standing Order (eff. Aug. 2024)]
Remote Appearances
Hearings are in person unless specifically indicated on the docket. Motions for remote Zoom appearance must be filed one week in advance and are not always granted.
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Background Rules
Discovery Referral
Not expressly stated in standing order. Governed by Civ. L.R. 72-1; check case-specific referral order for assigned magistrate. [Civ. L.R. 72-1]
Discovery Motion Process
Not individually specified beyond Civ. L.R. 7-3 defaults. Emergency relief requests must explain efforts to notify opposing party -- may be denied if efforts are insufficient.
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. For emergency relief (TRO or action needed within 24 hours): notify CRD by phone and email; make every reasonable effort to notify opposing party first. [Judge Pitts Civil Standing Order (eff. Aug. 2024)]
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AI & Style Preferences
Additional Notes
Active district judge in San Jose. Motion hearings: Thursdays 10:00 a.m. CMCs: Thursdays 1:00 p.m. Pretrial conferences: Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. Scheduling notes at cand.uscourts.gov/pcp. CRD: Nicole Coleman, pcpcrd@cand.uscourts.gov, (408) 535-5346. Standing order effective August 2024, updated October 2025.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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