Document Text Contents
Page 1
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - i -
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER I
LOCAL CIVIL RULES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. SCOPE OF RULES; FORM OF ACTION ................................................. 1
F.R.Civ.P. 1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE.......................................................... 1
L.R. 1-1 Applicability. .......................................................................... 1
L.R. 1-2 General Orders. ..................................................................... 1
L.R. 1-3 Applicability of Rules to Persons Appearing Without
Attorneys. .................................................................................... 1
L.R. 1-4 Definitions. ............................................................................. 1
F.R.Civ.P. 2. ONE FORM OF ACTION ....................................................... 2
II. COMMENCING AN ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS,
PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND ORDERS ................................................ 2
F.R.Civ.P. 3. COMMENCING AN ACTION ............................................... 2
L.R. 3-1 Civil Cover Sheet. ................................................................... 2
L.R. 3-2 Filing of Initiating Documents ............................................... 2
F.R.Civ.P. 4. SUMMONS .............................................................................. 3
L.R. 4-1 Summons - Presentation for Issuance. ................................... 3
L.R. 4-2 Summons - Service of Process - United States Marshal -
Civil Cases. ................................................................................. 3
L.R. 4-3 Summons - Service of Process - United States
Government ................................................................................. 3
L.R. 4-4 Summons - Service of Process - Habeas Corpus
Proceedings. ................................................................................ 3
F.R.Civ.P. 4.1. SERVING OTHER PROCESS ............................................. 4
F.R.Civ.P. 5. SERVING AND FILING PLEADINGS AND OTHER
PAPERS ................................................................................................ 4
L.R. 5-1 Lodging Documents. ............................................................... 4
L.R. 5-2 Filing In Forma Pauperis. ..................................................... 4
L.R. 5-3 Serving Documents. ................................................................ 4
L.R. 5-3.1 Service of Documents Not Filed Electronically........ 4
L.R. 5-3.1.1 Service. ........................................................ 4
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - ii -
L.R. 5-3.1.2 Proof of Service. .......................................... 4
L.R. 5-3.2 Service of Documents Filed Electronically .............. 5
L.R. 5-3.2.1 Service. ........................................................ 5
L.R. 5-3.2.2 Consent to Electronic Service. .................... 5
L.R. 5-4 Filing Documents. .................................................................. 6
L.R. 5-4.1 Mandatory Electronic Filing in Civil Cases. ............ 6
L.R. 5-4.1.1 Authorization of Electronic Filing. ............. 6
L.R. 5-4.1.2 Applicability of Other Rules. ....................... 6
L.R. 5-4.1.3 Definitions. .................................................. 6
L.R. 5-4.2 Exceptions to Electronic Filing in Civil Cases. ........ 8
L.R. 5-4.3 Format of Electronically Filed Documents. ...........10
L.R. 5-4.3.1 Technical Requirements (File Format
and Size Limitations). ...........................................10
L.R. 5-4.3.2 Redaction. ..................................................10
L.R. 5-4.3.3 Hyperlinks. .................................................11
L.R. 5-4.3.4 Signatures. .................................................11
L.R. 5-4.4 Submission of Proposed Orders, Judgments, or
Other Proposed Documents That Require a Judge’s
Signature. ........................................................................13
L.R. 5-4.4.1 Electronic Lodging of Proposed Orders. ..13
L.R. 5-4.4.2 Submission of Word-Processing
Versions of Proposed Orders. ..............................14
L.R. 5-4.5 Mandatory Chambers Copies. ................................14
L.R. 5-4.6 Deadlines. ...............................................................15
L.R. 5-4.6.1 Timeliness. .................................................15
L.R. 5-4.6.2 Technical Failures. ....................................15
L.R. 5-4.7 Effectiveness of Electronic Filings. ........................15
L.R. 5-4.7.1 Entry of Documents. ..................................15
L.R. 5-4.7.2 Certification of Electronic Documents. .....16
L.R. 5-4.7.3 Court Orders..............................................16
L.R. 5-4.8 Maintenance of Personal Contact Information. .....16
L.R. 5-4.8.1 Obligation to Maintain Personal
Contact Information. ............................................16
L.R. 5-4.8.2 Obligation to Maintain Electronic Post
Office Box. ............................................................16
F.R.Civ.P. 5.1. CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE TO A STATUTE –
NOTICE, CERTIFICATION, AND INTERVENTION.....................17
F.R.Civ.P. 5.2. PRIVACY PROTECTION FOR FILINGS MADE
WITH THE COURT ...........................................................................17
L.R. 5.2-1 Redaction. ..........................................................................17
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 58
L.R. 41-3 Reinstatement - Sanctions. If any action dismissed pursuant to
L.R. 41-1 is reinstated, the Court may impose such sanctions as it deems just
and reasonable.
L.R. 41-4 Refiling of Dismissed Action. If any action dismissed pursuant
to L.R. 41-1 is refiled as a new action, the party filing the later action shall
comply with the requirements of L.R. 83-1.2.2.
L.R. 41-5 Dismissal - Failure to Appear. If a party, without notice to the
Court, fails to appear at the noticed call of any action or proceeding, the
matter is subject to dismissal for want of prosecution.
L.R. 41-6 Dismissal - Failure of Pro Se Plaintiff to Keep Court Apprised
of Current Address. A party proceeding pro se shall keep the Court and
opposing parties apprised of such party’s current address and telephone
number, if any, and e-mail address, if any. If mail directed by the Clerk to a
pro se plaintiff’s address of record is returned undelivered by the Postal
Service, and if, within fifteen (15) days of the service date, such plaintiff
fails to notify, in writing, the Court and opposing parties of said plaintiff’s
current address, the Court may dismiss the action with or without prejudice
for want of prosecution.
F.R.Civ.P. 42. CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS
F.R.Civ.P. 43. TAKING TESTIMONY
L.R. 43-1 Non-Jury Trial - Narrative Statements. In any matter tried to
the Court, the judge may order that the direct testimony of a witness be
presented by written narrative statement subject to the witness’ cross-
examination at the trial. Such written, direct testimony shall be adopted by
the witness orally in open court, unless such requirement is waived.
F.R.Civ.P. 44. PROVING AN OFFICIAL RECORD
F.R.Civ.P. 44.1. DETERMINING FOREIGN LAW
F.R.Civ.P. 45. SUBPOENA
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 59
L.R. 45-1 Motions Relating to Discovery Subpoenas. 8 Except with respect
to motions transferred to this district pursuant to F.R.Civ.P. 45(f), L.R. 37
applies to all motions relating to discovery subpoenas served on (a) parties
and (b) non-parties represented by counsel.
F.R.Civ.P. 46. OBJECTING TO A RULING OR ORDER
F.R.Civ.P. 47. SELECTING JURORS
F.R.Civ.P. 48. NUMBER OF JURORS; VERDICT; POLLING
F.R.Civ.P. 49. SPECIAL VERDICT; GENERAL VERDICT AND
QUESTIONS
L.R. 49-1 Request for Special Verdict or Interrogatories. 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.
L.R. 49-2 Form - Presentation By Counsel. Special verdicts or
interrogatories shall not bear any identification of the party presenting the
form. Identification shall be made only on a separate page appended to the
front of the special verdict or interrogatory form.
F.R.Civ.P. 50. JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW IN A JURY TRIAL;
RELATED MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL; CONDITIONAL RULING
F.R.Civ.P. 51. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY; OBJECTIONS;
PRESERVING A CLAIM OF ERROR
L.R. 51-1 Requests for Instructions. 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. The
parties jointly shall submit a single set of instructions as to which they agree.
In addition, each party shall submit separately those proposed instructions as
to which all parties do not agree.
L.R. 51-2 Form of Requests. Each requested instruction shall:
(a) Be set forth in full on a separate page;
8 L.R. 45-1 amended, effective 6/1/14.
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 134
Appendix C to Local Rules
AGREEMENT ON ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
To facilitate and assure timely service of process and to provide adequate time to
answer habeas corpus petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and 28 U.S.C. § 2255, the Clerk
of Court of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the
United States Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California agree to the
following procedures. This agreement addresses cases in which the United States District
Judge or Magistrate Judge determines that service documents are to issue in all cases
where petitioners have filed habeas corpus petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and motions
under 28 U.S.C. § 2255.
1. General Provisions
A. At case opening, the case manager will add an appropriate entity which
specifies the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a “Notice Only Party” to the court’s
Case Management and Electronic Case Filing System (CM/ECF). The U.S.
Attorney’s Office will thereby receive electronic notice of all case filings
and activity, including the case initiating documents, to any e-mail accounts
specified by that office in their “Notice Only” designation. If the U.S.
Attorney’s Office ultimately enters an appearance on behalf of one or more
defendants in the case, the “Notice Only Party” will be terminated and the
attorney/(s) who enters his/her appearance will be designated as the counsel
to whom notice is sent.
B. These procedures shall take effect for any case filed after June 1, 2013, and
remain in effect until terminated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the Clerk.
2. Habeas Corpus Petitions
Pursuant to the Rules 4 and 5 Governing § 2254 Cases and 28 U.S.C. § 2243,
following preliminary review by the Court, the respondent is only required to
answer or otherwise respond to the petition if ordered to do so by the court. In its
order the Court will fix the time by which response must be made. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office agrees that entry of the order to respond on the docket by the
clerk complies with the requirement of service of the petition on the respondent,
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 135
the U.S. Attorney’s Office, or other appropriate officer and will accept service of
the same.
DATE: May 30, 2013 Stephanie Yonekura
Acting First Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
DATE: May 31, 2013 Terry Nafisi
District Executive & Clerk of Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - i -
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
CHAPTER I
LOCAL CIVIL RULES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. SCOPE OF RULES; FORM OF ACTION ................................................. 1
F.R.Civ.P. 1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE.......................................................... 1
L.R. 1-1 Applicability. .......................................................................... 1
L.R. 1-2 General Orders. ..................................................................... 1
L.R. 1-3 Applicability of Rules to Persons Appearing Without
Attorneys. .................................................................................... 1
L.R. 1-4 Definitions. ............................................................................. 1
F.R.Civ.P. 2. ONE FORM OF ACTION ....................................................... 2
II. COMMENCING AN ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS,
PLEADINGS, MOTIONS, AND ORDERS ................................................ 2
F.R.Civ.P. 3. COMMENCING AN ACTION ............................................... 2
L.R. 3-1 Civil Cover Sheet. ................................................................... 2
L.R. 3-2 Filing of Initiating Documents ............................................... 2
F.R.Civ.P. 4. SUMMONS .............................................................................. 3
L.R. 4-1 Summons - Presentation for Issuance. ................................... 3
L.R. 4-2 Summons - Service of Process - United States Marshal -
Civil Cases. ................................................................................. 3
L.R. 4-3 Summons - Service of Process - United States
Government ................................................................................. 3
L.R. 4-4 Summons - Service of Process - Habeas Corpus
Proceedings. ................................................................................ 3
F.R.Civ.P. 4.1. SERVING OTHER PROCESS ............................................. 4
F.R.Civ.P. 5. SERVING AND FILING PLEADINGS AND OTHER
PAPERS ................................................................................................ 4
L.R. 5-1 Lodging Documents. ............................................................... 4
L.R. 5-2 Filing In Forma Pauperis. ..................................................... 4
L.R. 5-3 Serving Documents. ................................................................ 4
L.R. 5-3.1 Service of Documents Not Filed Electronically........ 4
L.R. 5-3.1.1 Service. ........................................................ 4
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LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - ii -
L.R. 5-3.1.2 Proof of Service. .......................................... 4
L.R. 5-3.2 Service of Documents Filed Electronically .............. 5
L.R. 5-3.2.1 Service. ........................................................ 5
L.R. 5-3.2.2 Consent to Electronic Service. .................... 5
L.R. 5-4 Filing Documents. .................................................................. 6
L.R. 5-4.1 Mandatory Electronic Filing in Civil Cases. ............ 6
L.R. 5-4.1.1 Authorization of Electronic Filing. ............. 6
L.R. 5-4.1.2 Applicability of Other Rules. ....................... 6
L.R. 5-4.1.3 Definitions. .................................................. 6
L.R. 5-4.2 Exceptions to Electronic Filing in Civil Cases. ........ 8
L.R. 5-4.3 Format of Electronically Filed Documents. ...........10
L.R. 5-4.3.1 Technical Requirements (File Format
and Size Limitations). ...........................................10
L.R. 5-4.3.2 Redaction. ..................................................10
L.R. 5-4.3.3 Hyperlinks. .................................................11
L.R. 5-4.3.4 Signatures. .................................................11
L.R. 5-4.4 Submission of Proposed Orders, Judgments, or
Other Proposed Documents That Require a Judge’s
Signature. ........................................................................13
L.R. 5-4.4.1 Electronic Lodging of Proposed Orders. ..13
L.R. 5-4.4.2 Submission of Word-Processing
Versions of Proposed Orders. ..............................14
L.R. 5-4.5 Mandatory Chambers Copies. ................................14
L.R. 5-4.6 Deadlines. ...............................................................15
L.R. 5-4.6.1 Timeliness. .................................................15
L.R. 5-4.6.2 Technical Failures. ....................................15
L.R. 5-4.7 Effectiveness of Electronic Filings. ........................15
L.R. 5-4.7.1 Entry of Documents. ..................................15
L.R. 5-4.7.2 Certification of Electronic Documents. .....16
L.R. 5-4.7.3 Court Orders..............................................16
L.R. 5-4.8 Maintenance of Personal Contact Information. .....16
L.R. 5-4.8.1 Obligation to Maintain Personal
Contact Information. ............................................16
L.R. 5-4.8.2 Obligation to Maintain Electronic Post
Office Box. ............................................................16
F.R.Civ.P. 5.1. CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE TO A STATUTE –
NOTICE, CERTIFICATION, AND INTERVENTION.....................17
F.R.Civ.P. 5.2. PRIVACY PROTECTION FOR FILINGS MADE
WITH THE COURT ...........................................................................17
L.R. 5.2-1 Redaction. ..........................................................................17
Page 77
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 58
L.R. 41-3 Reinstatement - Sanctions. If any action dismissed pursuant to
L.R. 41-1 is reinstated, the Court may impose such sanctions as it deems just
and reasonable.
L.R. 41-4 Refiling of Dismissed Action. If any action dismissed pursuant
to L.R. 41-1 is refiled as a new action, the party filing the later action shall
comply with the requirements of L.R. 83-1.2.2.
L.R. 41-5 Dismissal - Failure to Appear. If a party, without notice to the
Court, fails to appear at the noticed call of any action or proceeding, the
matter is subject to dismissal for want of prosecution.
L.R. 41-6 Dismissal - Failure of Pro Se Plaintiff to Keep Court Apprised
of Current Address. A party proceeding pro se shall keep the Court and
opposing parties apprised of such party’s current address and telephone
number, if any, and e-mail address, if any. If mail directed by the Clerk to a
pro se plaintiff’s address of record is returned undelivered by the Postal
Service, and if, within fifteen (15) days of the service date, such plaintiff
fails to notify, in writing, the Court and opposing parties of said plaintiff’s
current address, the Court may dismiss the action with or without prejudice
for want of prosecution.
F.R.Civ.P. 42. CONSOLIDATION; SEPARATE TRIALS
F.R.Civ.P. 43. TAKING TESTIMONY
L.R. 43-1 Non-Jury Trial - Narrative Statements. In any matter tried to
the Court, the judge may order that the direct testimony of a witness be
presented by written narrative statement subject to the witness’ cross-
examination at the trial. Such written, direct testimony shall be adopted by
the witness orally in open court, unless such requirement is waived.
F.R.Civ.P. 44. PROVING AN OFFICIAL RECORD
F.R.Civ.P. 44.1. DETERMINING FOREIGN LAW
F.R.Civ.P. 45. SUBPOENA
Page 78
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 59
L.R. 45-1 Motions Relating to Discovery Subpoenas. 8 Except with respect
to motions transferred to this district pursuant to F.R.Civ.P. 45(f), L.R. 37
applies to all motions relating to discovery subpoenas served on (a) parties
and (b) non-parties represented by counsel.
F.R.Civ.P. 46. OBJECTING TO A RULING OR ORDER
F.R.Civ.P. 47. SELECTING JURORS
F.R.Civ.P. 48. NUMBER OF JURORS; VERDICT; POLLING
F.R.Civ.P. 49. SPECIAL VERDICT; GENERAL VERDICT AND
QUESTIONS
L.R. 49-1 Request for Special Verdict or Interrogatories. 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.
L.R. 49-2 Form - Presentation By Counsel. Special verdicts or
interrogatories shall not bear any identification of the party presenting the
form. Identification shall be made only on a separate page appended to the
front of the special verdict or interrogatory form.
F.R.Civ.P. 50. JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW IN A JURY TRIAL;
RELATED MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL; CONDITIONAL RULING
F.R.Civ.P. 51. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY; OBJECTIONS;
PRESERVING A CLAIM OF ERROR
L.R. 51-1 Requests for Instructions. 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. The
parties jointly shall submit a single set of instructions as to which they agree.
In addition, each party shall submit separately those proposed instructions as
to which all parties do not agree.
L.R. 51-2 Form of Requests. Each requested instruction shall:
(a) Be set forth in full on a separate page;
8 L.R. 45-1 amended, effective 6/1/14.
Page 153
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 134
Appendix C to Local Rules
AGREEMENT ON ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
To facilitate and assure timely service of process and to provide adequate time to
answer habeas corpus petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and 28 U.S.C. § 2255, the Clerk
of Court of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the
United States Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California agree to the
following procedures. This agreement addresses cases in which the United States District
Judge or Magistrate Judge determines that service documents are to issue in all cases
where petitioners have filed habeas corpus petitions under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 and motions
under 28 U.S.C. § 2255.
1. General Provisions
A. At case opening, the case manager will add an appropriate entity which
specifies the U.S. Attorney’s Office as a “Notice Only Party” to the court’s
Case Management and Electronic Case Filing System (CM/ECF). The U.S.
Attorney’s Office will thereby receive electronic notice of all case filings
and activity, including the case initiating documents, to any e-mail accounts
specified by that office in their “Notice Only” designation. If the U.S.
Attorney’s Office ultimately enters an appearance on behalf of one or more
defendants in the case, the “Notice Only Party” will be terminated and the
attorney/(s) who enters his/her appearance will be designated as the counsel
to whom notice is sent.
B. These procedures shall take effect for any case filed after June 1, 2013, and
remain in effect until terminated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the Clerk.
2. Habeas Corpus Petitions
Pursuant to the Rules 4 and 5 Governing § 2254 Cases and 28 U.S.C. § 2243,
following preliminary review by the Court, the respondent is only required to
answer or otherwise respond to the petition if ordered to do so by the court. In its
order the Court will fix the time by which response must be made. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office agrees that entry of the order to respond on the docket by the
clerk complies with the requirement of service of the petition on the respondent,
Page 154
LOCAL RULES - CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
6/1/14 Chapter I - 135
the U.S. Attorney’s Office, or other appropriate officer and will accept service of
the same.
DATE: May 30, 2013 Stephanie Yonekura
Acting First Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
DATE: May 31, 2013 Terry Nafisi
District Executive & Clerk of Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
