Requests for protective orders to prevent civil harassment, workplace violence, private postsecondary school violence, retail crime, and elder or dependent adult abuse

(a) Application

This rule applies to requests for protective orders under Code of Civil Procedure sections 527.6, 527.8, and 527.85. Penal Code section 490.8; and Welfare and Institutions Code section 15657.03.

(b) No memorandum required

Unless ordered by the court, no memorandum is required in support of or in opposition to a request for a protective order.

(c) Service of requests, notices, and orders

(1) Except as provided in (2), the request for a protective order, notice of hearing, and any temporary restraining order, must be personally served on the respondent at least five days before the hearing, unless the court for good cause orders a shorter time. Service must be made in the manner provided by law for personal service of summons in civil actions.

(2) The court may specify another method of service for a request for a civil harassment protective order brought under Code of Civil Procedure section 527.6 if the court determines that the petitioner has been unable to accomplish personal service, and that there is reason to believe that the respondent is evading service or cannot be located.

(d) Response

The response to a request for a protective order may be written or oral, or both. Except for a request under Penal Code section 490.8, if a written response is served on the petitioner or, if the petitioner is represented, on the petitioner’s attorney at least two days before the hearing, the petitioner is not entitled to a continuance on account of the response.

(e) Continuance

A respondent may request continuance of the hearing upon a showing of good cause. If the court in its discretion grants the continuance, any temporary restraining order that has been granted remains in effect until the end of the continued hearing unless otherwise ordered by the court.