See the amendment and operative provisions in the original text.
1.1 DEFINITIONS AND USE OF TERMS
As used in these Local Rules, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:
a) The term “action” includes a special proceeding.
b) The term “all-purpose assignment” refers to an assignment of a case to a judge for all
purposes, including trial.
c) The term “attorney” means a member of the State Bar of California and any lawyer admitted
to practice pro hac vice before the court.
d) The term “Canvassing Committee" means a committee composed of three judges who have
the greatest seniority on the court and are available.
e) The term “civil case” means a case prosecuted by one party against another for the
declaration, enforcement, or protection of a right or the redress or prevention of a
wrong. Civil cases include all cases except criminal cases and petitions for writ of
habeas corpus.
f) The term “clerk” means the Clerk of Court of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County
and any deputy clerks, except that for purposes of service of a statement of
disqualification for cause on the judge’s clerk, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure
section 170.3(c)(1), “clerk” means the judicial assistant serving in a courtroom as the
judge’s clerk.
g) The term “court” means the Superior Court of Los Angeles County.
h) The term “court day” means a day on which the court is open.
i) The term “counsel” means an attorney of record; when the Local Rules impose a duty, the
term “counsel,” includes self-represented litigants.
j) The term “County” means Los Angeles County.
k) The term “criminal case” means a proceeding by which a party charged with a public offense
is accused and prosecuted for the offense.
l) The term “day” means calendar day.
m) The term “declaration” means either a declaration that complies with Code of Civil
Procedure section 2015.5 or an affidavit.
n) The terms “Executive Officer” and “Executive Officer/Clerk of Court” mean the person
appointed under Local Rule 1.6.
o) The terms “judge” and “judicial officer” include judges, commissioners, and referees,
except as used in this chapter for the election of (1) the Presiding Judge (Rule 1.5), (2)
the Executive Officer (Rule 1.6), (3) the Executive Committee (Rule 1.7), and (4)
commissioners (Rule 1.9).
p) As used here, the terms “limited civil case” and “unlimited civil case” have the same
definitions as in Code of Civil Procedure section 85 et seq.
q) The term “Local Rules” means the “Los Angeles County Superior Court Rules.”
r) The term “majority” means more than one-half of the votes cast. To calculate a majority, the
total of all votes cast is divided by two.
s) The term “master calendar assigned judge” means a judge who will handle cases assigned
from a master calendar court. “Master calendar cases” means cases so assigned.
t) The term “party” is a person appearing in an action. Parties include both self-represented
persons and persons represented by an attorney of record.
u) The term “person” includes a corporation or other legal entity as well as a natural person.
v) The terms “Presiding Judge” and “Assistant Presiding Judge” are those judges elected by
the eligible judges of the court pursuant to Local Rule 1.2 et seq.
w) The term “Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division” means the judge so designated by the
Chief Justice pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 10.1100.
x) The term “Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court” means the judge so designated by the
Presiding Judge pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 246 to exercise
administrative authority over judicial administrative issues in the Juvenile Division as
delegated by the Presiding Judge.
y) The term “self-represented litigant” or “pro per” means a party not represented by counsel.
z) The term “service” means service in the manner prescribed by a statute or rule.
aa) The term “site judge” means the judge appointed by the Presiding Judge under Local Rule
1.2.
ab) The term “subordinate judicial officer” means a commissioner or referee.
ac) The term “supervising judge” means a judge appointed by the Presiding Judge under Local
Rule 1.2.
ad) Words of authority:
(1) “Must” is mandatory.
(2) “May” is permissive.
(3) “May not” and “must not” mean ‘is not permitted to.’
(4) “Will” expresses a future contingency or predicts action by a court or person in the
ordinary course of events, but does not signify a mandatory duty.
(5) “Should” expresses a preference or a nonbinding recommendation.
(6) “Shall” means ‘has a duty to,’ but when referring to an action of a judge, does not
signify a mandatory duty.
(Rule 1.1 [7/1/2011, 7/1/2020, 7/1/2022, 7/1/2024] amended and effective July 1, 2026)
GOVERNANCE
In all cases not listed as exempt in L.R. 16-12, and except in connection with discovery motions (which are governed by L.R. 37-1 through 37-4), applications under F.R.Civ.P. 65 for temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions, and motions to retax costs under L.R. 54-2.5, counsel contemplating the filing of any motion must first contact opposing counsel to discuss thoroughly, preferably in person, the substance of the contemplated motion and any potential resolution. The conference must take place in person, by telephone, or via video conference at least 7 days prior to the filing of the motion. If the parties are unable to reach a resolution that eliminates the necessity for a hearing, counsel for the moving party must include a declaration, under penalty of perjury, that sets forth at a minimum the date(s) the conference took place and the position of each party with respect to each disputed issue that will be the subject of the motion. Failure to include such a declaration may result in the motion being denied.
(a)
Opposition. Any opposition to a motion may include a proposed order, affidavits, or
declarations, as well as a brief or memorandum under Civil L.R. 7-4. Any evidentiary
and procedural objections to the motion must be contained within the brief or
memorandum. Pursuant to Civil L.R. 7-4(b), such brief or memorandum may not
exceed 25 pages of text. The opposition must be filed and served not more than 14 days
after the motion was filed. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d), which extends deadlines that are tied to
service (as opposed to filing), does not apply and thus does not extend this deadline.
(b)
Statement of Nonopposition. If the party against whom the motion is directed does
not oppose the motion, that party must file with the Court a Statement of
Nonopposition within the time for filing and serving any opposition.
(c)
Reply. Any reply to an opposition may include affidavits or declarations, as well as a
supplemental brief or memorandum under Civil L.R. 7-4. Any evidentiary and
procedural objections to the opposition must be contained within the reply brief or
memorandum. Pursuant to Civil L.R. 7-4(b), the reply brief or memorandum may not
exceed 15 pages of text. The reply to an opposition must be filed and served not more
than 7 days after the opposition was due. Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(d), which extends deadlines
that are tied to service (as opposed to filing), does not apply and thus does not extend
this deadline.
(d)
Supplementary Material. Once a reply is filed, no additional memoranda, papers or
letters may be filed without prior Court approval, except as follows:
(1)
Objection to Reply Evidence. If new evidence has been submitted in the reply,
the opposing party may file and serve an Objection to Reply Evidence, which may
not exceed 5 pages of text, stating its objections to the new evidence, which may
not include further argument on the motion. The Objection to Reply Evidence
must be filed and served not more than 7 days after the reply was filed. Fed. R.
Civ. P. 6(d), which extends deadlines that are tied to service (as opposed to filing),
does not apply and thus does not extend this deadline.
(2)
Before the noticed hearing date, counsel may bring to the Court’s attention a
relevant judicial opinion published after the date the opposition or reply was filed
by filing and serving a Statement of Recent Decision. Such Statement shall
contain a citation to and provide a copy of the new opinion without argument.