Local Rules & Orders

(a) [Material inadvertently omitted] Counsel should not file a motion to augment the record when items have been omitted from the normal (criminal) record on appeal. In those cases counsel should immediately notify the clerk of the superior court, who shall comply with rule 8.155 (b) of the California Rules of Court.

(b) [When to file motion to augment] Appellant should file requests for augmentation in one motion within 40 days of the filing of the record. Respondent should file requests for augmentation in one motion made within 30 days of the filing of appellant's opening brief. Thereafter, motions to augment will not be granted except upon a showing of good cause for the delay.

(c) [Clerk's transcript] A motion to augment or correct the clerk's transcript shall be accompanied either by certified copies of the documents requested, or, if the documents are not provided, the motion must identify them with specificity and contain an explanation for their omission. When submitting an electronic motion to augment or correct the clerk’s transcript, a party must electronically submit the documents requested as a separate .pdf file at the same time as the motion and ensure the documents are formatted in compliance with this court’s Local Rule 8. When electronically submitting a motion to augment or correct the clerk’s transcript, a party may exceed the 300-page limit, contained in California Rules of Court, rules 8.124(d)(1) and 8.144(c)(1), as long as the file size is 25 megabytes or smaller.

(d) [Reporter's transcript] A motion to augment the reporter's transcript shall identify the portion of the record with specificity, including the reporter's name and the date of the hearing. The motion shall establish with some certainty how the requested materials may be useful on appeal.

(e) [Extension of time] The time to perform any act required or permitted by the California Rules of Court will not be automatically extended in civil cases by the filing of or ruling on a motion to augment. If additional time is needed, counsel may request an extension of time in the motion to augment.

(f) [Good faith required] A motion to augment shall be made in good faith and shall not be made for the purpose of delay.

(Formerly Rule 2, adopted, eff. Nov. 15, 1993. Renumbered Rule 1, eff. Aug. 25, 2003. As amended, eff. March 2, 2007; Aug.17, 2007; Feb. 19, 2016.)

The Court has established a Judicial Mediation Program to assist parties to resolve appellate disputes in civil cases the Court finds suitable.

(a) Rule application: This rule applies to all civil appeals except those under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 300, 601, and 602 and Family Code section 7802, appeals in conservatorship and guardianship matters, and appeals from original proceedings ancillary to a criminal prosecution.

(b) Questionnaire: When a notice of appeal is filed in any civil case to which this rule applies, the Clerk will promptly mail or e-mail to appellant and respondent instructions for the filing of the nonconfidential Civil Appeal Case Screening Questionnaire. (Downloadable form available on the Court’s website) Within 10 calendar days after the Clerk mails or e-mails instructions regarding the Civil Appeal Case Screening Questionnaire, each party must complete, sign, and serve the Questionnaire, and file it electronically.

The Questionnaire will assist the Court in selecting a case for mediation with a sitting Justice of this Court. The Court will select a case promptly after the Questionnaire is submitted and before the parties have incurred the expense of record preparation and appellate briefing. The Court recognizes the parties are asked to prepare the Questionnaire very early in the appellate process and may not be able to identify all appellate contentions. The Court will not deem an omission to be a waiver or forfeiture of any claim on appeal.

Failure to return the Questionnaire timely on appellant’s part may result in dismissal of the appeal, without prejudice to reinstatement on a showing of good cause, or in imposition of monetary sanctions pursuant to subdivision (e).

Failure to return the Questionnaire timely on respondent’s part may result in the appeal being considered for mediation suitability without input from respondent, or in imposition of monetary sanctions pursuant to subdivision (e).

(c) Mediation/Settlement Process:

(1) Effective upon the filing of any civil notice of appeal to which the rule applies, the provisions of rules 8.121, 8.124 and 8.216 of the California Rules of Court requiring designation of the record, payment of estimated costs for preparation of the record, and submission of a proposed briefing schedule are suspended, pending the Court’s decision to select or not select the civil appeal for mediation.

These rules do not prohibit the superior court from collecting the deposit required by Government Code section 68926.1 and by California Rules of Court, rule 8.100(b)(2).

(2) Within 14 calendar days after the Court receives the Civil Appeal Case Screening Questionnaires, it will notify the parties in writing, by telephone, or by e-mail whether the Court has or has not selected the civil appeal for mediation. If a civil appeal is selected for mediation, the Court’s Mediation Coordinator will provide the parties with three dates on which the Justice is available for the mediation session. At the same time, the Court will furnish the Justice mediator with copies of the Civil Appeal Case Screening Questionnaires. Within 14 calendar days after receipt of the dates the Justice mediator is available, the parties must advise the Court’s Mediation Coordinator of their scheduling preferences. The Justice mediator will promptly select the date for the mediation session and the Mediation Coordinator will notify the parties by e-mail.

If a civil appeal is selected for mediation, suspension of rules 8.121, 8.124, and 8.216 of the California Rules of Court will remain in effect until the mediation process is complete.

If a civil appeal is not selected for mediation, the Court will notify the parties and the superior court, in writing, that the suspension of rules 8.121, 8.124, and 8.216 of the California Rules of Court is terminated. The parties must comply with the requirements of rules 8.121, 8.124, and 8.216 as if the notice of appeal had been filed on the date specified in the Court’s notice.

If a civil appeal is not selected for mediation, the parties may thereafter electronically file a stipulation for entry into the mediation program. The Court will promptly decide whether or not to accept the case into the mediation program and the Mediation Coordinator will notify the parties of the Court’s decision.

(3) The Justice mediator may, for good cause, continue a mediation session to a date certain. The Justice may also continue the mediation from time-to-time to allow further opportunity for negotiation and agreement.

(4) The parties shall submit in writing, directly to the Justice mediator, a CONFIDENTIAL Mediation Statement at least seven (7) calendar days before the scheduled mediation. The statement shall provide:

(A) The names of parties and their attorneys.

(B) A statement regarding the existence of any applicable insurance, and, if so, the identity of the carrier, the amount of the applicable insurance policy limits, and the nature of any insurance coverage disputes/issues.

(C) A statement indicating whether or not a board, council, or other committee must approve any settlement, and, if so, the identity of that body.

(D) The identification of any person not named as a party whose consent is necessary to achieve settlement.

(E) The dates and results of prior arbitration, mediation, and most recent settlement discussions.
(F) The dates and amounts of any Code of Civil Procedure section 998 offers.

(G) A statement identifying and discussing in detail all facts and law pertinent to the issues of liability and damages involved in the case as to that party.

(H) An itemization of all economic and noneconomic damages claimed by the plaintiff.

(I) A description of any liens and their amounts.

(J) A statement whether there is any claim for recovery of attorney’s fees, and, if so, the amount incurred to date.

(K) A statement of any additional information that might assist the Justice mediator.

(5) All parties and their counsel of record must attend all mediation sessions in person and with full settlement authority. If a party is not an individual, then a party representative with full authority to settle all appeals and cross-appeals must attend all mediation sessions in person, in addition to counsel. If a party has potential insurance coverage applicable to any of the issues in dispute, a representative of each insurance carrier whose policy may apply also must attend all mediation sessions in person, with full settlement authority. Any exception to this requirement must be approved in writing by the Justice mediator. The Justice mediator may invite participation by any additional person or entity if the mediator concludes that such participation would facilitate mediation.

(6) If completion of mediation does not result in disposition of the appeal, the Court will immediately notify the parties and the superior court in writing or by e-mail that suspension of rules 8.121, 8.124, and 8.216 of the California Rules of Court is terminated. The parties must comply with the requirements of rules 8.121, 8.124, and 8.216 as if the notice of appeal had been filed on the date specified in the Court’s notice.

(d) Confidentiality: Except as otherwise required by law, information disclosed to the Justice mediator, the parties, counsel, or any other participant in the mediation, or in the Mediation Statement, is confidential and must not be disclosed to anyone not participating in the program. The parties are required to sign a confidentiality agreement in a form designated by the Court.

(e) Sanctions: Monetary sanctions may be imposed following an electronically filed noticed motion by a party seeking sanctions for failure to comply with the rules or on the Court’s own motion. Any date selected for a motion for sanctions must be cleared in advance with the Court’s Mediation Coordinator at 5DC_Mediation@jud.ca.gov.

(f) Disqualification of Justice Mediator: Any Justice who participates in a mediation shall not thereafter participate in the consideration or disposition of the appeal on its merits.

(Adopted, eff. Sept. 1, 2011. As amended, eff. Feb. 10, 2012; Jan. 1, 2013; Feb 19, 2016.)

(a) [Information Sheet] All petitions for extraordinary writs, other than habeas corpus, shall be accompanied by a properly completed face sheet, the Appellate Court Writ Petition Information Sheet. This form is available through TrueFiling on the Court’s website and from the clerk of the court.

(b) [Required Exhibits] A petition for an extraordinary writ that seeks review of a trial court ruling shall be accompanied by the following:

(1) a copy of the order or judgment from which relief is sought;
(2) copies of all documents submitted to the trial court supporting and opposing petitioner’s position; and
(3) a transcript of the proceedings leading to the order or judgment below, or if a transcript is unnecessary or unavailable, a declaration by counsel (i) explaining why a transcript is unnecessary or unavailable and (ii) fairly summarizing the proceedings, including arguments by counsel and the basis of the trial court’s decision, if stated.

(c) [Copies of Filed Documents] A party who electronically files any petition, answer, opposition, reply, or other response to a petition, including any supporting documents, according to the requirements of Local Rule 8, is exempt from submitting copies of such documents. A self-represented party may electronically file such documents according to the requirements of Local Rule 8, but is not required to do so.

Otherwise and in lieu of the requirements contained in California Rules of Court, rule 8.44(b)(3) and (5), a party who files a petition, answer, opposition, reply, or other response to a petition, including any supporting documents, in paper form shall file an original and one paper copy that is unbound, printed on white paper and does not contain tabs or a red cover.

A self-represented person who files a petition for writ of habeas corpus is only required to file the original petition.

(d) [Stay Request] A petitioner who requests an immediate stay shall explain in the petition the reasons for the urgency and set forth all relevant time constraints. If a petitioner does not submit the required record and explanations or does not present facts sufficient to excuse the failure to submit them, the Court may summarily deny the stay request.

(Effective August 1, 2016; Formerly Rule 5, adopted eff. Nov. 15, 1993, Renumbered Rule 3, eff. Aug 25, 2003.)

Telephonic oral argument is available to all parties.

Telephonic Oral Argument Procedures

1. A party who requests oral argument must return to the court a questionnaire designating the time requested. The questionnaire must designate the attorney arguing the case, if the party is represented by counsel, or the name(s) of the litigant(s) who will appear if the party is self-represented.

2. The process for appearing telephonically for oral argument is described on the court’s website.

3. A party, if self-represented, or a party’s designated counsel is expected to be available during the time oral argument has been scheduled and until such time as it has been completed.

Failure to be available to participate in telephonic oral argument, once requested, will be treated in the same manner as a failure to personally appear for scheduled oral argument.

4. Parties are encouraged to use a landline telephone for telephonic oral argument because landlines typically facilitate better two-way communication. If a party must use a cellular phone, pausing occasionally during the argument is critical to allow the Justices to ask questions.

5. Any deviation by appointed or retained counsel from these procedures shall not be permitted except by express prior approval of the court.

(Effective June 5, 2017; Formerly Rule 6, adopted, eff. Nov. 15, 1993; Renumbered Rule 4, eff. Aug. 25, 2003.)

The court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, repeals its Local Rule of Court, Rule 5. The Court will no longer permit the use of the original superior court file with parties’ stipulation instead of a clerk’s transcript.

(Repealed August 1, 2016)

See Rule 3 .

(Effective August 25, 2003)

See Rule 4.

(Effective August 25, 2003)

(a) [Application]

This rule applies to record preparation in:

(1) Appeals from judgments or appealable orders in:

(A) Cases under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 300, 601, and 602; and
(B) Actions to free a child from parental custody and control under Family Code section 7800 et seq.; and

(2) Writ petitions under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 366.26 and 366.28.

(b) [Sending the Record]

Within 20 days after a notice of appeal or notice of intent is filed, the clerk of the superior court shall send, by the most expeditious method, the original record to this court, noting the sending date on each original.

In appeals, copies of the record shall be sent at the same time to counsel pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.409(e)(1)(B), (e)(2) and 8.416(c)(2)(B), (c)(3), as applicable.

In writ proceedings under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 366.26 and 366.28, copies of the record shall be sent at the same time to counsel or any unrepresented party pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.450(i)(2) and 8.454(i)(2), as applicable.

(c) [Enforcement]

In the event this court does not receive the original record within 23 calendar days after a notice of appeal or notice of intent is filed, this court shall issue an order directed to the superior court executive officer to deliver the original transcripts to this court within 2 court days. If the superior court executive officer does not comply with this court’s order, an order to show cause may issue.

(Effective December 1, 2014)

Local Rule 8. Electronic Filing
Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.71, the Court will require all filings in this District be made through the Court’s electronic filing system (EFS) operated by ImageSoft TrueFiling (TrueFiling). Use of the EFS system is mandatory for all attorneys filing in this District, unless an exemption is granted, and is voluntary for all self-represented litigants. A filing in electronic format will be accepted in lieu of any paper copies otherwise required under California Rules of Court, rule 8.44 and constitutes the official record of the Court.

(a) [Registration]

(1) Obligation to Register. Each attorney of record in any proceeding in this District is obligated to become an EFS user and obtain a user ID and password for access to the TrueFiling system. Self-represented litigants must register if they wish to e-file. Attorneys and self-represented litigants may register at: https://tf3.truefiling.com/register
(2) Obligation to Keep Account Information Current. An EFS user is responsible for all documents filed under the user’s registered ID and password. Registered users are required to keep their e-mail address current and may update their e-mail address online via the TrueFiling Web site. The user also must comply with the requirements of California Rules of Court, rule 8.32.

(b) [Format]
Documents filed electronically must be in PDF format, or readily capable of conversion to PDF format while maintaining original document formatting by TrueFiling to permit text searches and to facilitate transmission and retrieval. If the filer possesses only a paper copy of a document, it may be scanned to convert it to a searchable PDF format. It is the filer’s responsibility to ensure that any document filed is complete and readable. No single document shall exceed a total file size of 25 MB. Document pages must be consecutively numbered beginning from the cover page of the document and using only the Arabic numbering system, as in 1, 2, 3.
Briefs must comply with the content and format requirements of California Rules of Court, rule 8.204, with the exception of those provisions dealing exclusively with requirements for paper. The table of contents for each brief shall include electronic bookmarks to each heading in the text. All original proceedings must include electronic bookmarks from the table of contents for each heading in the text, and to the first page of any exhibit(s), with a description of the exhibit included in the bookmark.

(c) [Signatures]
A TrueFiling user ID and password is the equivalent of an electronic signature for a registered attorney or party. Any document displaying the symbol “/s/” with the attorney’s or party’s printed name shall be deemed signed by that attorney/party.

(d) [Trial Court Record]

(1) Appendices, Agreed Statements, and Settled Statements. Parties must submit any appendix filed pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.124, any agreed statement filed pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.134, or any settled statement filed pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.137 in electronic form. Each part of the record submitted in any appendix shall clearly state the volume and page numbers included within that part and include an index of contents, with a descriptive electronic bookmark to the first page of each indexed document.

(2) Administrative Records. In addition to any administrative record provided by the trial court pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.123, the party or parties seeking review of a board case under California Rules of Court, rule 8.728(b) must submit a copy of the administrative record in electronic form.

(3) Reporter’s Transcripts. Any party who orders a reporter’s transcript of proceedings pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.130 must also request a copy of the transcript in computer-readable format, as provided in California Rules of Court, rule 8.144(d)(1), and submit an electronic copy to the Court.

(e) [Personal Identifiers and Privacy Issues]
To protect personal privacy, parties and their attorneys must not include, or must redact where inclusion is necessary, personal identifiers such as social security numbers and financial account numbers from all pleadings and other papers filed in the Court’s public file, whether filed in paper or electronic form, unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by the Court. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.201(a).) If an individual’s social security number is required in a pleading or other paper filed in the public file, only the last four digits of that number shall be used. If financial account numbers are required in a pleading or other paper filed in the public file, only the last four digits of these numbers shall be used.
The responsibility for excluding or redacting identifiers from all documents filed with the Court rests solely with the parties and their attorneys. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 1.201(b).) Neither TrueFiling nor the Clerk of the Court has any responsibility to review pleadings or other papers for compliance.

(f) [Sealed or Confidential Material]
All filers must comply with California Rules of Court, rules 8.46 and 8.47 pertaining to sealed and confidential material.

(g) [Filing Deadlines]
Filing documents electronically does not alter any filing deadlines. In order to be timely filed on the day they are due, all electronic transmissions of documents must be completed (i.e., received completely by the Clerk of the Court) prior to midnight. Where a specific time of day is set for filing by Court order or stipulation, the electronic filing shall be completed by that time. Although EFS permits parties to submit documents electronically 24 hours a day, users should be aware that telephone or online EFS assistance may not be available outside of normal Court business hours.

(h) [Technical Failure/Motions for Late Filing]
If a filer fails to meet a filing deadline imposed by Court order, rule, or statute because of a failure at any point in the electronic transmission and receipt of a document, the filer may file the document as soon thereafter as practicable and accompany the filing with a motion to accept the document as timely filed. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.77(d).)
The Clerk of the Court shall deem the EFS system to be subject to a technical failure whenever the system is unable to accept filings continuously or intermittently over the course of any period of time greater than one hour after 12:00 noon that day. Filings due on the day of a technical failure which were not filed solely due to such technical failure shall be due the next court day. The initial point of contact for any practitioner experiencing difficulty filing a document into the EFS system shall be the toll-free number posted on the TrueFiling Web site.
The Court shall not be responsible for malfunction or errors occurring in electronic transmission or receipt of electronically filed documents.

(i) [Service]
An attorney’s registration with TrueFiling to participate in EFS constitutes consent to service or delivery of all documents by any other party in a case through the system. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.78(a)(2)(B).)

(j) [Filing Fees]
TrueFiling is a private vendor under contract with the Court. TrueFiling will assess vendor fees for each filing in accordance with the schedule posted on its Web site, as approved by the Court. E-Filing fees will be considered recoverable costs under California Rules of Court, rule 8.278(d)(1)(D). TrueFiling is designated as the Court’s agent for collection of Court imposed fees where required for any filing, and any associated credit card or bank charges or convenience fees (Cal. Rules of Court, rules 8.73(b), 8.76; Gov. Code, § 6159).
Should a self-represented party with a fee waiver opt to file documents electronically, that party is exempt from the fees and costs associated with electronic filing. The persons and entities identified in Government Code section 6103 also are exempt from the fees and costs associated with e-Filing.

(k) [Exemptions]
Self-represented parties may, but are not required to, register for electronic filing. If they elect to register, they must comply with this rule and the requirements of TrueFiling.
If electronic filing and/or service causes undue hardship or significant prejudice to any party, the party may file a motion for an exemption from the requirements of this rule. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.71(d).) When it is not otherwise feasible for a party to convert a document to electronic form by scanning, imaging or other means, the document may be filed in paper form (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.71(g)), together with a declaration setting forth the reasons that electronic filing was not feasible.

(l) [Sanctions for Noncompliance]
Failure of counsel to timely register or otherwise comply with EFS filing requirements, unless exempted, shall subject counsel to sanctions as may be imposed by the Court.
(Effective September 27, 2021)

Appellate Court Writ Petition Information Sheet

By order dated November 23, 1982, all petitions for extraordinary writs, other than habeas corpus, shall be accompanied by a properly completed face sheet, the Appellate Court Writ Petition Information Sheet. This form is available from the clerk of the court, and also is available on the court website.

(As amended, eff. Aug. 25, 2003.)