California / L.A. Superior CourtC.D. Cal. / FederalN.D. Cal. / Federal

Central District of California

Civil practice

Local Civil Rules · Effective Jun 1, 2026Official PDF ↗

Civil deadlines

Selected requirements, their triggers, and exceptions. Periods shown—not calculated filing dates.

35 selected civil-practice deadlines. Open a source for the complete provision.
TaskTimingTrigger & conditionsSource
MotionsConfer before filing a motionAt least 7 days before filing

Filing of the motion.

Excludes L.R. 16-12 cases, discovery motions, TRO/preliminary-injunction applications, and motions to retax costs. Include the required conference declaration.

Source excerpt

The conference must take place in person, by telephone, or via video conference at least 7 days prior to the filing of the motion.

PDF p. 39
MotionsFile notice of motionNo later than 28 days before

The hearing date.

Unless another rule or court order provides otherwise; the Court may shorten time.

Source excerpt

The notice of motion shall be filed with the Clerk not later than twenty-eight (28) days before the date set for hearing

PDF p. 38
MotionsServe motion notice electronically or personallyNo later than 28 days before

The Motion Day designated in the notice.

The Court may order a shorter time. Mail service has a separate requirement.

Source excerpt

If served personally, or electronically, the notice of motion shall be served not later than twenty-eight (28) days before the Motion Day designated in the notice.

PDF p. 38
MotionsServe motion notice by mailNo later than 31 days before

The Motion Day designated in the notice.

For parties excepted from electronic filing. The Court may shorten time; this is not a blanket service extension.

Source excerpt

If mailed, the notice of motion shall be served not later than thirty-one (31) days before the Motion Day designated in the notice.

PDF p. 38
MotionsFile and serve opposition or non-oppositionNo later than 21 days before

The hearing date.

New-trial motions use the separate service-based period below.

Source excerpt

not later than twenty-one (21) days before the date designated for the hearing of the motion in all other instances

PDF p. 40
MotionsOppose a new-trial motionNo later than 10 days after

Service of the new-trial motion—not the hearing date.

File and serve opposition papers or a statement of non-opposition.

Source excerpt

not later than ten (10) days after service of the motion in the instance of a new trial motion

PDF p. 40
MotionsFile and serve reply papersNo later than 14 days before

The hearing date.

No response to the reply without a prior written court order.

Source excerpt

A moving party may, not later than fourteen (14) days before the date designated for the hearing of the motion, serve and file a reply memorandum, and declarations or other rebuttal evidence.

PDF p. 41
MotionsNotify the clerk of an agreed argument waiverBy noon on the fifth day before

The hearing date.

Counsel must agree; waiver still requires the Court’s consent. The clerk advises the parties by noon on the preceding court day.

Source excerpt

Counsel who have agreed to waive oral argument shall advise the court clerk of such agreement by no later than noon on the fifth day preceding the hearing date.

PDF p. 42
MotionsNotify withdrawal of a motion or oppositionImmediately; preferably at least 7 days before

The decision to withdraw; the preferred lead time refers to the hearing.

The seven-day language is a preference, not permission to delay immediate notice.

Source excerpt

must file and serve a notice of withdrawal of the motion or opposition immediately, preferably no later than 7 days before the hearing.

PDF p. 42
MotionsMove for reconsiderationNo later than 14 days after

Entry of the order being challenged.

Absent good cause shown. The motion must also satisfy the rule’s limited grounds for reconsideration.

Source excerpt

Absent good cause shown, any motion for reconsideration must be filed no later than 14 days after entry of the Order that is the subject of the motion or application.

PDF p. 42
Filing & serviceFile proof of serviceWithin 14 days

Service of summons and complaint, or receipt of a notice and acknowledgement of service.

Plaintiff’s filing obligation; late proof may lead to sanctions.

Source excerpt

The plaintiff must file a proof of service within 14 days of service of the summons and complaint or receipt of a notice and acknowledgement of service.

PDF p. 23
Filing & serviceDeliver mandatory chambers copiesBy 12:00 noon the following business day

Electronic filing of the document.

Unless otherwise ordered by the assigned judge. Check that judge’s copy requirements, delivery location, and deadline.

Source excerpt

Unless otherwise ordered by the assigned judge, one mandatory chambers copy of every electronically filed document must be delivered to the chambers of the assigned judge, or other designated location, no later than 12:00 noon on the following business day.

PDF p. 34
Filing & serviceComplete electronic transmissionBefore midnight, Pacific time

The intended filing day.

Unless the assigned judge orders otherwise. Pacific Standard or Daylight Time applies as in effect.

Source excerpt

Unless otherwise provided by order of the assigned judge, all electronic transmissions of documents must be completed prior to midnight Pacific Standard Time or Pacific Daylight Time, whichever is in effect at the time, in order to be considered timely filed on that day.

PDF p. 34
Filing & serviceStipulate to extend the initial-complaint responseUp to 30 days cumulatively

The date the initial response originally would have been due.

File the stipulation. Within this cumulative limit, judicial approval is not needed. Does not cover amended pleadings, counterclaims, cross-claims, or third-party complaints.

Source excerpt

If the stipulation, together with any prior stipulations, does not extend the time for more than a cumulative total of thirty (30) days from the date the response initially would have been due, the stipulation need not be approved by the judge.

PDF p. 44
Class actionsMove for class certificationEarliest possible time; no later than the judge’s deadline

Service of the pleading commencing the class action.

No fixed day count in this rule. Excludes actions subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act; consult the assigned judge’s deadline.

Source excerpt

At the earliest possible time after service of a pleading purporting to commence a class action other than an action subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, P.L. 104-67, 15 U.S.C. § 77z-1 et seq., but no later than any deadline set by the assigned judge

PDF p. 71
DiscoveryConfer on a discovery disputeWithin 10 days after

The moving party’s service of its conference-request letter.

Opposing counsel must confer unless relieved by a written court order for good cause. The letter must identify the disputes and relief sought.

Source excerpt

Unless relieved by written order of the Court upon good cause shown, counsel for the opposing party must confer with counsel for the moving party within ten days after the moving party serves a letter requesting such conference.

PDF p. 75
DiscoveryProvide the opposing portion of a joint stipulationWithin 7 days of receipt

Receipt of the moving party’s portion, declarations, and exhibits.

Unless the parties agree otherwise. Deliver the opposing portion and its supporting materials to moving counsel.

Source excerpt

Unless the parties agree otherwise, within seven days of receipt of the moving party’s material, counsel for the opposing party must personally deliver, e-mail, or fax to counsel for the moving party the opposing party’s portion of the stipulation

PDF p. 77
DiscoverySign and return the assembled joint stipulationBy the end of the next business day

Moving counsel’s delivery of the assembled stipulation to opposing counsel.

Opposing counsel signs and returns it so it can be filed with the notice of motion.

Source excerpt

the stipulation must be provided to opposing counsel, who must sign it (electronically or otherwise) and return it to counsel for the moving party no later than the end of the next business day

PDF p. 77
DiscoveryFile a supplemental discovery memorandumNo later than 14 days before

The hearing date, after the joint stipulation is filed.

Optional supplemental memorandum; five-page limit unless otherwise ordered. Other separate memoranda are not permitted.

Source excerpt

After the Joint Stipulation is filed, each party may file a supplemental memorandum of law not later than fourteen days before the hearing date.

PDF p. 77
Pretrial & trialFile the signed ADR procedure selectionWith the Rule 26(f) report

Filing of the parties’ Rule 26(f) report.

Unless otherwise ordered. The request must be signed by counsel for both sides.

Source excerpt

Except as otherwise ordered by the Court, a Request: ADR Procedure Selection, signed by counsel for both sides, shall be filed with the parties’ F.R.Civ.P. 26(f) report.

PDF p. 64
Pretrial & trialParticipate in the approved ADR processNo later than 45 days before

The Final Pretrial Conference.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

Source excerpt

Unless otherwise ordered, no later than forty-five (45) days before the Final Pretrial Conference, the parties shall participate in the ADR process approved by the Court.

PDF p. 64
Pretrial & trialHold lead trial counsel’s pretrial meetingAt least 40 days before

The Final Pretrial Conference—not trial.

Meet in person and complete the tasks in L.R. 16-2. Check the Court’s scheduling order and L.R. 16 exemptions.

Source excerpt

At least forty (40) days before the date set for the Final Pretrial Conference, lead trial counsel for the parties shall meet in person

PDF p. 53
Pretrial & trialFile and serve the contentions memorandumNo later than 21 days before

The Final Pretrial Conference.

Each party files its Memorandum of Contentions of Fact and Law. Check the scheduling order and L.R. 16 exemptions.

Source excerpt

Not later than twenty-one (21) days before the Final Pretrial Conference, each party shall serve and file a Memorandum of Contentions of Fact and Law.

PDF p. 55
Pretrial & trialLodge the Final Pretrial Conference Order11 days before

The Final Pretrial Conference.

Plaintiff lodges the order. L.R. 16-7 requires preparation by plaintiff’s counsel and signatures of all counsel; check the scheduling order.

Source excerpt

Plaintiff shall lodge the Final Pretrial Conference Order with the Clerk eleven (11) days before the date set for the Final Pretrial Conference.

PDF p. 60
Pretrial & trialApply to continue trial or a similar proceedingAt least 5 days before

The date set for trial or the proceeding.

Serve and file the application, detailing the reasons for continuance.

Source excerpt

Any application for continuance of any trial or similar proceeding shall be served and filed at least five (5) days before the day set for the trial or proceeding.

PDF p. 79
Pretrial & trialNotify the clerk of settlementImmediately

Settlement of a case set for trial or another proceeding.

Notify by telephone or another expeditious means. L.R. 40-3 separately addresses potential juror costs for late notice.

Source excerpt

Counsel shall inform the court clerk immediately by telephone or other expeditious means when a case set for trial or other proceeding has been settled.

PDF p. 79
Pretrial & trialFile and serve proposed jury instructionsAt least 7 days before

The scheduled start of trial.

Unless the Court orders a different filing date. Submit agreed instructions jointly and disputed instructions separately.

Source excerpt

Proposed instructions shall be in writing and shall be filed and served at least seven (7) days before trial is scheduled to begin unless a different filing date is ordered by the Court.

PDF p. 81
Pretrial & trialRequest a special verdict or interrogatoriesAt least 7 days before

The scheduled start of trial.

File and serve the request.

Source excerpt

Any request for a special verdict or a general verdict accompanied by answers to interrogatories shall be filed and served at least seven (7) days before trial is scheduled to commence.

PDF p. 81
Costs & feesApply to the clerk to tax costsWithin 14 days after

Entry of the judgment or order under which costs may be claimed.

The prevailing party files and serves Form CV-59 with the itemized bill and required supporting documentation.

Source excerpt

Within 14 days after the entry of judgment or order under which costs may be claimed, a prevailing party claiming taxable costs must file and serve

PDF p. 85
Costs & feesObject to claimed costsWithin 14 days after

Service of the application to tax costs.

File and serve specific written objections, with the required representation about conferring or attempting to confer.

Source excerpt

Within 14 days after service of an Application to the Clerk to Tax Costs under L.R. 54-2.1, any party against whom costs are claimed may file and serve written objections to any cost claimed in the application.

PDF p. 85
Costs & feesRespond to objections to costsWithin 3 days after

Service of an objection under L.R. 54-2.2.

The applicant may file and serve a written response.

Source excerpt

Within 3 days after service of an objection under L.R. 54-2.2, the party applying for costs may file and serve a written response to the objection.

PDF p. 85
Costs & feesMove to retax costsWithin 7 days of

The clerk’s taxation decision.

File and serve the motion. Review is limited to the record before the clerk and items identified in the motion.

Source excerpt

A party may seek review of the Clerk’s taxation of costs by filing and serving a motion to retax costs within seven (7) days of the Clerk’s decision.

PDF p. 86
Costs & feesMove or apply for attorneys’ feesWithin 14 days after

Entry of judgment or another final order.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Court. The motion is also governed by L.R. 7-3 and following rules.

Source excerpt

Any motion or application for attorneys’ fees shall be served and filed within fourteen (14) days after the entry of judgment or other final order, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.

PDF p. 91
TranscriptsFile notice of intent to redact a transcriptWithin 5 business days

The transcript’s filing date.

The notice does not replace the separate request to redact.

Source excerpt

Within 5 business days from the date of filing of the transcript, parties may electronically file a Notice of Intent to Redact.

Court website
TranscriptsFile the transcript redaction requestWithin 21 days

The transcript’s filing date—not the notice of intent.

Identify the required redactions by page and line. Counsel and the parties are responsible for redacting.

Source excerpt

A Request to Redact specifying page and line number of the required redaction(s) shall be filed within 21 days from the filing of the transcript.

Court website
More court resources

Sources checked Aug 30, 2026 · Reference, not docketing instructions. Check the assigned judge’s procedures.