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Division Two (Civil Rules; Rules 2.1 to 2.11): case management - the first conference set approximately 120 days from filing (collection cases approximately 360 days), cross-complaints, and continuances on local form SUPCV 1014 filed no later than ten (10) calendar days before the conference (Rule 2.1); trial setting, the long cause calendar call on the Thursday two weeks before trial at 1:30 p.m., motions in limine and responses at least 2 court days before their hearing, short cause trials on the daily 8:30 a.m. Law & Motion Calendar, trial briefs, and continuances of trials - traffic and minor violation trials (requests received fifteen days prior) and all other trials on local form SUPCV 1013 (Rule 2.2); compromises of minors' claims, filed at least ten (10) days before the hearing (Rule 2.3); the law and motion calendar - hearing dates cleared with the Clerk's Office, continuances, argument limited to ten (10) minutes per side, informal discovery conferences with a Joint Statement at least five (5) court days prior, and unlawful detainer demurrers and motions to strike (Rule 2.4); class settlement approval motions under the California Superior Court Guidelines (Rule 2.6.01); attorney fees on default, stipulations to commissioners and exhibit formatting (Rule 2.8); ex parte matters - notice by 10:00 a.m. the court day before, notice to the court by 11:00 a.m., papers by 3:00 p.m., objections by 10:00 a.m. and signed orders after 2:30 p.m.; restraining order requests filed in Watsonville no later than 10:00 a.m.; and unlawful detainer ex partes (Rule 2.9); civil tentative rulings by 3:00 p.m. and requests for oral argument by 4:00 p.m. (Rule 2.10); and CEQA administrative records, trial notebooks and record excerpts 21 days before the hearing (Rule 2.11).
California > Sixth Appellate District > Santa Cruz County > Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz
DIVISION TWO - CIVIL RULES Rule 2.1 CASE MANAGEMENT Rule 2.1.01 Initial Contact At the time the case is filed, the clerk shall append to the initial pleading a document entitled "CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION AND SETTING" stating that the case is in the Case Management Program, that it is the duty of each party to be familiar with the California Rules of Court, and the DATE, TIME and PLACE of the first case management conference. The first conference date shall be set approximately 120 days from the date of filing of the initial pleading. It is the responsibility of the filing party to serve all other parties with notice of the case management conference date. Collection cases, as defined by California Rule of Court 3.740(a), shall be set approximately 360 days after the filing of the complaint. (Eff. 1/1/92) (Renumbered & Rev. 7/1/02) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Rev. 7/1/15) Rule 2.1.02 Cross Complaints Cross-complainants shall serve all cross-defendants with a copy of the initial "ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION INFORMATION PACKET” and shall serve notice of any other pending case management conference hearing date. (Eff. 1/1/92) (Renumbered 7/1/02) (Rev. 7/1/20) Rule 2.1.03 Continuances of Case Management Conference (a) Application by stipulation or by plaintiff if defendants have not appeared: Parties requesting a stipulated continuance of a case management conference must submit a written application on local form SUPCV 1014, Application and Stipulation for Order to Continue for Order to Continue Mediation Hearing and/or Case Management Conference, supported by a declaration showing good cause and a proposed order for the Court's signature. The application shall be filed with Court no later than ten (10) calendar days before the conference. The order shall be granted only upon a finding of good cause. Only one such continuance shall be allowed per case and the case management conference shall not be continued more than two months. (b) Other requests for continuance: Parties requesting a non-stipulated continuance of a case management conference must file a noticed motion and set a hearing date pursuant to court rules governing hearings. The application must be supported by a declaration, and the order shall be granted only upon the finding of good cause. (c) Application by stipulation or requests for continuances may be considered on the ex parte calendar. (Eff. 1/1/95) (Renumbered 7/1/02) (Rev. 1/1/19) (Rev. 7/1/20) Rule 2.1.04 Request to Advance Case Management Conference A party wishing to advance the date of the first case management conference may do so by ex parte application. The requesting party is responsible for noticing all other parties. (Eff. 1/1/95) (Renumbered 7/1/02) Rule 2.2 SETTING CASES FOR TRIAL Rule 2.2.01 Requests for Trial Settings (a) General civil cases shall be set at the case management conference. (b) Family law cases filed on or after January 1, 1999: Trials will be set pursuant to Local Rule 3.1.07. (c) Probate cases: The assigned judge will set cases for trial in court. (Eff. 1/1/92) (Rev. 7/1/02) (Rev. 1/1/13) Rule 2.2.02 Long Cause Trials (a) Civil Long Cause Master Calendar Call. All long cause trials will be called on the Thursday two weeks before the date set for trial at 1:30 p.m. in the department of the master calendar judge. Counsel must be prepared to advise the Court of all relevant trial data at that time. Counsel may be referred immediately from the Calendar Call to the assigned trial judge for initial trial proceedings, such as motions in limine and scheduling. (b) Jury fees are to be paid as provided in Code of Civil Procedure §§ 631 et seq. (c) All proposed jury instructions, motions in limine, witness lists, exhibit lists, trial briefs, proposed jury voir dire/questionnaires, proposed statements of the case, and proposed special verdict forms shall be filed no later than 12 noon the day of the Calendar Call. (d) Motions in Limine. All in limine motions must be in writing. Each motion shall be limited to a single subject and the motions shall be numbered consecutively. In limine motions may be electronically filed as one document. (e) Responses to motions in limine must be filed at least 2 court days before the scheduled date for the hearing on motions in limine, or as ordered by the assigned trial judge. Responses shall address only the subject of the motion and shall be numbered the same as the motions. (Rev. 7/1/98) (Rev. 1/1/99) (Rev. 7/1/07) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev. 1/1/13) (Rev. 7/1/13) (Rev. 1/1/14) (Rev 1/1/17) (Rev. 7/1/17) (Rev. 1/1/22) (Rev. 7/1/22) (Rev. 7/1/25) Rule 2.2.03 Short Cause Trials Short Cause Trials will be calendared on the daily 8:30 a.m. Law & Motion Calendar. (Eff. 1/1/80) (Rev.1/1/95) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Renamed & Rev. 1/1/11) Rule 2.2.04 Settlement Conferences [REVOKED] Revoked 1/1/09 Preempted by California Rules of Court (Rev. 1/1/93) (Rev 1/1/95) (Revoked 1/1/09) Rule 2.2.05 Settlement Conference Statement [REVOKED] Revoked 1/1/09 Preempted by California Rules of Court (Rev. 1/1/99) (Rev 7/1/07) (Revoked 1/1/09) Rule 2.2.06 Trial Briefs in Civil Cases Trial briefs are required for all civil court trials and jury trials. Trial briefs shall summarize the facts expected to be presented and the issues to be tried. See Rule 2.2.02 (c) for the deadline for trial briefs in long cause trials. For short cause trials, trial briefs are due at least 5 court days before the date set for trial. (Eff. 1/1/87) (Renumbered 1/1/95) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev. 7/1/23) (Rev. 7/1/25) Rule 2.2.07 Continuances of Trials (a) Requesting a Continuance of a Trial in Traffic/Minor Violation Court. If you are unable to present your case on the date ordered for trial in traffic/minor violation court, a continuance must be requested as follows: 1. The request must be in writing, copied to the other side. 2. If requested by the defendant and it is a time not waived trial, the request must state “time is waived.” 3. The request must be received by the Court fifteen days prior to the hearing. 4. The original request must be filed with the Court. The moving party (requesting party) must mail or deliver a copy of the request to the other side. The original request will not be processed unless the requesting party indicates that a copy has been mailed or delivered to the other side. If the request for a continuance is by the arresting agency, the request must indicate that a copy has been mailed to the defendant. If the continuance request is by the defendant, the request must include the agency name and address 5. If this procedure is not followed, or if the action is not timely, the matter may be heard in the absence of the requesting party. (b) Requesting a Continuance of All Other Trials 1. Application by stipulation or by plaintiff if defendants have not appeared: Parties requesting a stipulated continuance of a trial must submit a written application on local form SUPCV 1013, Application and Stipulation for Order to Continue Trial, supported by a declaration showing good cause and a proposed order for the Court's signature. The request shall be filed no later than ten (10) days before the date set for trial. The request shall be granted judicial approval only upon a finding of good cause. Only one such continuance shall be allowed per case. A short cause trial shall not be continued more than two months. 2. Requests for continuances of status conferences, settlement conferences and trials may be considered on the ex parte calendar. 3. Other requests for continuance: Parties requesting a non-stipulated continuance of a trial must file a noticed motion and set a hearing date pursuant to court rules governing hearings. The application must be supported by a declaration, and the request shall be granted only upon a finding of good cause. 4. Motions for continuance of a trial or specially set hearing will not be entertained on the date set except under the most extraordinary circumstances. In that event all such motions shall be made at the time the master calendar is called and only before the judge calling the master calendar or the judge before whom the matter is specially set. (Eff. 1/1/95) (Rev. 1/1/01) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Renumbered, Renamed and Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev. 01/01/15) (Rev. 1/1/19) (Rev. 7/1/26) Rule 2.2.08 Complex Litigation The court follows the California Rules of Court for Complex Litigation matters. (Eff. 7/1/04) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Renumbered 1/1/11) (Rev. 7/1/17) Rule 2.3 COMPROMISE OF MINORS' CLAIMS Rule 2.3.01 Petition Petitions for compromise of minor's claim under the Probate Code or under the Code of Civil Procedure § 372 and California Rule of Court 7.950, shall be filed with the Court at least ten (10) days before the scheduled hearing. (Rev. 7/1/02) Rule 2.3.02 Attorney Fees [REVOKED] Revoked 1/1/20 Preempted by California Rules of Court (Rev. 7/1/91) (Rev 1/1/09) (Revoked 1/1/20) Rule 2.3.03 Order The order approving the compromise of the minor's claim shall be prepared by counsel and shall set forth fully the following: (a) The total amount of the payment approved in compromise of the claim. (b) The amount of all attorney's fees and costs to be allowed. (c) The amount of all medical expenses to be paid or reimbursed together with names of the payees. (d) If the Court shall order that all or any part of the money to be paid under compromise be deposited in a blocked account, the order shall conform to California Rule of Court 7.953 (Rev. 7/1/02) (Rev. 1/1/09) Rule 2.4 LAW & MOTION CALENDAR Rule 2.4.01 Setting Hearings (a) Before any law and motion or default matter is set, the hearing date must be cleared with the Clerk's Office by calling (831) 420-2204 or emailing civilinfo@santacruzcourt.org (b) When a law and motion matter is set, the clerk will check to determine if a case management conference is scheduled within the 90 days prior to the law and motion date. If so, the clerk will continue the case management conference to the law and motion date. The date will be continued once the moving papers have been filed with the court and the fees have been paid. No other notice will be sent to the parties. If the law and motion matter is taken off calendar after the date has been continued, the case management conference will remain set on the law and motion date. (Rev. 1/1/99) (Rev. 1/1/08) (Rev 7/1/17) (Rev. 7/1/20) (Rev. 1/1/25) Rule 2.4.02 Requests for Continuances (a) Requests for continuances based on stipulation by the parties must be made by the moving party by calling the Clerk's Office (831) 420-2204 or emailing civilinfo@santacruzcourt.org (b) Requests for continuances made within 24 hours of the date of hearing (Saturday, Sunday and holidays excepted) ordinarily will not be granted even if made by stipulation. (c) Subject to paragraph (b), counsel may continue matters by timely application or by stipulation. However, only one (1) such continuance per side will be granted. Thereafter, if the matter does not proceed, it may be dropped from the calendar. (Eff. 1/1/99) (Rev. 1/1/08) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Rev. 1/1/19) (Rev. 7/1/20) Rule 2.4.03 Argument and Oral Testimony at Law and Motion Calendar (a) Argument in excess of ten (10) minutes per side will ordinarily not be permitted on the law and motion calendar. If it is anticipated that lengthier argument will be necessary, permission must be obtained from the law and motion judge. When such a request is made, the law and motion judge will decide whether to grant the request for lengthier arguments to be heard on the law and motion calendar or will set the matter for special hearing. (b) Oral testimony is ordinarily not allowed on the law and motion calendar. If oral testimony is desired, a request must be made to the law and motion judge, pursuant to California Rule of Court 3.1306, who will either grant the request and leave the matter on the law and motion calendar, grant the request and direct that set the matter be specially set with the calendar clerk, for special hearing, or deny the request and insist that the matter be heard on declarations. (Rev. 1/1/93) (Rev. 1/1/95) (Rev. 7/1/97) (7/1/07) (7/1/17) Rule 2.4.04 Informal Discovery Conference: Civil Cases (a) The Court may conduct informal discovery conferences. The scope and content of the conference is the discretion of the judicial officer or subordinate judicial officer facilitating the conference. The conference will be facilitative in nature. (b) Counsel shall prepare and lodge a Joint Statement as to pending discovery issues at least five (5) court days prior to the informal discovery conference date. The statement shall not exceed five pages. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in monetary sanctions, termination of the informal discovery conference, or both. (Eff. 7/1/23) Former Rule 2.4.04 Appearance at Hearing [REVOKED] Revoked 1/1/09 Preempted by California Rules of Court (Eff. 1/1/88) (Revoked 1/1/09) Rule 2.4.05 Orders and Stipulations for County Funds [REVOKED] Revoked 7/1/07 Preempted by California Rules of Court (Eff 1/1/88) (Revoked 1/1/07) Rule 2.4.06 Orders for Funds Held in Interest Bearing Account For funds to be deposited with the Court in an interest bearing account, a Court order must be obtained specifying that the funds are to be held in an interest bearing account. (Eff. 1/1/93) Rule 2.4.07 Calendaring Demurrers and Motions to Strike in Unlawful Detainer Cases (a) Demurrers, motions to strike, and oppositions filed in response shall be set for hearing in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure § 1170. (b) Demurrers and motions to strike shall be served on the plaintiff as follows: 1. Personal service - at least five calendar days prior to the hearing. 2. Express mail or overnight delivery - at least six calendar days prior to the hearing and reasonably calculated to ensure delivery to the other party or parties no later than the close of business two court days before the hearing. 3. Electronic service - at least 5 calendar days prior to the hearing. Electronic service is authorized if the party being served is represented by counsel or a consent has been filed. (c) Should the demurrer be overruled, the motion to strike be denied, or the motion to strike part of the complaint be granted without leave to amend, the defendant shall be granted ten court days to file an answer. (Eff. 1/1/14) (Rev. 7/1/15) (Rev. 7/1/17) (Rev. 1/1/23) (Rev. 7/1/25) Rule 2.5 MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT [REVOKED] 1/1/09 Preempted by California Rules of Court Rule 2.6 MOTIONS FOR APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT Rule 2.6.01 Motions for preliminary and final approval of class action settlements Motions for preliminary and final approval of class action settlements are to comply with the California Superior Court Guidelines for Motions for Preliminary and Final Approval of Class Settlement both as to the information to be provided in the motion, and the order in which the information is to be presented. The Guidelines may be found on the court’s website at https://www.santacruzcourt.org/divisions/civil . (Eff. 7/1/20) Rule 2.7 TELEPHONE APPEARANCES [REVOKED] 1/1/21 Rule 2.7.01 Telephone Appearances [REVOKED] (Eff. 1/1/89) (Rev. 1/1/98) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Rev. 7/1/14) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Revoked 1/1/21) Rule 2.7.02 Program Overview [REVOKED] (Eff. 1/1/98) (Rev. 7/1/2000) (Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev 7/1/14) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Revoked 1/1/21) Rule 2.7.03 Participation in CourtCall Appearances [REVOKED] (Eff. 1/1/98) (Rev. 7/1/07) (Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev. 7/1/14) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Revoked 1/1/21) Rule 2.7.04 Appearance Procedure [REVOKED] (Eff. 1/1/98) (Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev. 1/1/20) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Revoked 1/1/21) Rule 2.8 MISCELLANEOUS LAW AND MOTION RULES Rule 2.8.01(Reserved) Rule 2.8.02 Attorney Fees (California Rule of Court 3.1800(b)) (a) When the clerk is authorized to enter judgment pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 585(a) and, if the obligation sued upon provides for the recovery of a reasonable attorney's fee, the clerk shall compute the attorney's fee by adding to the judgment, exclusive of costs, the following amounts unless a lesser sum is requested: • 20 percent of the first $ 1,000 with minimum fee of $100.00 • 10 percent of the next $ 9,000 • 5 percent of the next $15,000 • 3 percent of the next $40,000 • 2 percent of the next $50,000 • 1 percent of the amount over $100,000 (b) Plaintiff shall have the right, in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure § 585(a), to have the attorney's fee fixed by the Court in an amount different from that set forth above. (Eff. 1/1/86) (Renumbered 7/1/07) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Renumbered 7/1/20) Rule 2.8.03 Stipulation to Commissioners A party is deemed to stipulate that all matters heard in the civil department may be heard and disposed of by a commissioner, acting as a temporary judge, by failing to file an objection in writing within thirty (30) days after the first pleading is filed in the action by that party, or at the first hearing on a motion heard in the civil department, if heard before the expiration of the thirty (30) days, whichever comes first. (Eff. 12/3/03) (Renumbered 7/1/07) (Renumbered 7/1/20) Rule 2.8.04 Exhibit Formatting Exhibit attachments to pleadings shall be separated by a standard size 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper with a title identifying the sequence of the exhibit. This shall appear in the middle of the page using 36 pt. font. No tabs shall be included in any documents submitted for filing. California Rules of Court must be followed, including Rules 2.256 and 3.1110. (Eff. 7/1/16) (Rev. 7/1/17) (Renumbered 7/1/20) Rule 2.9 EX PARTE MATTERS Rule 2.9.01 Ex Parte Actions in General Civil Cases (a) All general civil ex parte matters are heard Monday through Friday, and will be determined on the papers unless the Court orders otherwise. (b) Notice to Parties: Notice must be given to the opposing party or their attorney prior to 10:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte application will be determined by the court. Notice is governed by California Rules of Court Rule 3.1203 et. seq. A declaration regarding notice must be submitted with the ex parte paperwork. Optional Local Form SUPCV 420 may be used. (c) Notice to Court: The party seeking ex parte relief must notify the court of their intent to submit an ex parte application either in-person or by calling the Clerk’s Office at (831) 420-2200 by 11:00 a.m. on the court day before the ex parte determination. (d) Ex Parte Paperwork: 1. All ex parte papers shall be submitted to the Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 p.m. the court day before the ex parte determination. Submission may be in person (if self-represented) or by efile. 2. A copy of the ex parte papers must be provided by the person requesting relief to the other party or their attorney no later than 3:00 p.m. the day before the ex parte determination. The papers may be delivered to the other party in person, by fax or by email. Proof of service must be submitted. This may be done by using the Local Form SUPCV 420. (e) Opposition to Ex Parte Request: Objections to the ex parte relief requested shall be submitted to the Clerk’s Office and served on the party making the ex parte request as soon as possible after notice is received, but no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the ex parte determination. Submission to the Clerk’s Office may be in person (if self-represented) or by efile. The objection must be served by personal delivery, fax, or email to the other party. Proof of service must be submitted with the objection. (f) Request for Appearance at Hearing: If either party requests to appear on the application or opposition, the application or opposition must state this request on the face page of the ex parte application and/or opposition. The court will contact the parties to notify them of the date of the ex parte hearing on an 8:30 a.m. calendar if the reviewing judge orders one. (g) Decisions on Ex Parte Applications: Signed orders will be available after 2:30 p.m. on the day of the ex parte determination or on the day of the ex parte hearing, if ordered. (Rev. 1/1/00) (Rev. 7/1/04) (Renumbered & Rev. 7/1/07) (Rev. 1/1/11) (Rev. 7/1/13) (Rev. 7/1/14) (Rev. 7/1/16) (Renumbered 7/1/17) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Rev. 1/1/23) (Rev 1/1/24) (Rev. 1/1/25) (Rev. 7/1/25) Rule 2.9.02 Ex Parte Restraining Order Requests (a) All Civil Harassment Prevention, Workplace Violence Prevention, Gun Violence Prevention and Private Postsecondary School Violence Prevention Restraining Order requests must be filed with the Clerk’s Office in Watsonville no later than 10:00 a.m. for the request to be considered that same day. (b) The initial papers may be brought to the Santa Cruz Clerk’s Office for filing. They will be scanned to the Watsonville Courthouse. (c) All papers, other than the initial restraining order request, must be filed at the Watsonville Courthouse. (d) All hearings will take place at the Watsonville Courthouse. (Eff. 1/1/23) (Rev. 7/1/23) Rule 2.9.03 Ex Parte Requests in Unlawful Detainers (a) All unlawful detainer ex parte matters are heard Monday through Friday and will be determined on the papers unless the Court orders otherwise. (b) Notice to Parties: 1. Notice must be given to the opposing party or their attorney prior to 10:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte application will be determined by the court. Notice is governed by California Rules of Court Rule 3.1203 et seq. 2. Shorter notice in accordance with California Rule of Court 3.1203(b) may be given provided that the notice is reasonable. 3. A declaration regarding notice must be submitted with the ex parte paperwork. Optional Local Form SUPCV 420 may be used. (c) Notice to the Court: 1. The party seeking ex parte relief must notify the court of their intent to submit an ex parte application in-person or by calling the Clerk’s Office at (831) 420-2204 no later than 11:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte determination. Notice will not be accepted earlier than two court days before the ex parte determination. 2. If the normal ex parte timelines cannot be met before the scheduled lockout date listed on the Sheriff’s Notice, you may notify the court of your intent to submit an ex parte application no later than 11:00 a.m. the day of the ex parte determination. (d) Ex Parte Paperwork: 1. Ex parte paperwork should be submitted to the Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 p.m. the court day prior to the ex parte determination. Paperwork will not be accepted earlier than two court days before the ex parte determination. Submission may be in person (if self represented) or by efile. 2. If the normal ex parte timelines cannot be met before the scheduled lockout date listed on the Sheriff’s Notice, the paperwork may be submitted up to 12:00 p.m. the day of the ex parte determination. 3. A copy of the ex parte papers must be provided by the person requesting relief to the other party or their attorney before submitting the paperwork to the court. The papers may be delivered to the other party in person, by fax or by email. Proof of service must be submitted. This may be done by using the Local Form SUPCV 420. (e) Opposition to Ex Parte Request: Objections to the ex parte relief requested shall be submitted to the Clerk’s Office and served on the party making the ex parte request as soon as possible after notice is received, but no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the ex parte determination. Submission to the Clerk’s Office may be in person (if self represented) or by efile. The objection must be served by personal delivery, fax or email to the other party. Proof of service must be submitted with the objection. (f) Request for Appearance at Hearing: If either party requests to appear on the application or opposition, the application or opposition must state this request on the face page of the ex parte application and/or opposition. The court will contact the parties to notify them of the date of the ex parte hearing on an 8:30 a.m. calendar if the reviewing judge orders one. (g) Decisions on Ex Parte Applications: Signed orders will be available after 2:30 p.m. on the day of the ex parte determination or on the day of the ex parte hearing, if ordered. (Eff. 1/1/23) (Rev. 1/1/24) (Rev. 1/1/25) (Rev. 7/1/25) Rule 2.9.04 Matters Not Appropriate For Ex Parte Procedure The Family Law and Probate Departments have local rules regarding ex parte matters. See Local Rules 3.1.13 and 4.1.08. (a) Non-appropriate Matters: If the judge determines that the matter can be handled through normal procedure (i.e., noticed hearing or sent through the Clerk's Office), the application will be denied. The Court shall retain denied applications. The following types of orders will not be accepted: 1. Stipulated Orders in an existing case (e.g., Stipulated Judgment). 2. Orders After Hearing 3. Judgment After Trial 4. Default Judgment (b) Stipulations for Order to Continue Trial, Mediation, or Case Management may be sent through the Clerk’s Office without a noticed ex parte hearing. (c) Matters not appropriate for the ex parte procedure are to be submitted to the Clerk’s Office. If a time urgency exists, a request to expedite may be made. (Eff. 1/1/91) (Rev. 7/97) (Renumbered 7/1/07) (Rev. 1/1/09) (Rev. 7/1/14) (Renumbered 7/1/17) (Rev. 1/1/19) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Rev. 1/1/23) Rule 2.10 TENTATIVE RULINGS Rule 2.10.01 Civil Tentative Rulings The court follows the tentative ruling procedure set forth in Rule 3.1308 of the California Rules of Court. Tentative Rulings are not required, but a Judicial Officer who does issue Tentative Rulings will prepare and publish a Tentative Ruling by 3:00 p.m. on the day preceding the scheduled hearing. (a) Obtaining Rulings. A tentative ruling on civil law and motion matter may be obtained by: 1. Telephoning the court at (831) 420-2300 between 3:00 and 4:00 pm of the court day preceding the scheduled hearing; or 2. Accessing tentative rulings on the court’s website, at www.santacruzcourt.org. (b) Appearance and Oral Argument. If a party wants to present oral argument, pursuant to Rule 3.1308, the party must contact the court at (831) 420-2483 and all opposing parties by 4:00 p.m. of the court day preceding the scheduled hearing. Notice may consist of a phone call or email to all other parties that argument is being requested (i.e., it is not necessary to speak with counsel or parties directly). Unless the Court and all parties have been notified of a request to present oral argument, no oral argument will be permitted except by order of the Court. Whenever a tentative ruling has not been issued, the parties are to appear at the hearing unless otherwise ordered. Appearance is always required on small claims matters and on all claims of exemption. Absent a request to appear and be heard for any matter on the Civil Law and Motion Calendar, all posted tentative rulings shall become the final ruling of the court. Should a hearing be requested by any party or ordered by the court, the Court may, in its discretion, modify or affirm the tentative ruling and advise the parties of its ruling at the hearing. (c) Sanction Requests. All requests for sanctions not ruled upon are deemed denied. (d) Preparation of Order. When a tentative ruling is uncontested or is adopted in full by the Court as the final ruling after argument, without modification, the prevailing party is required to prepare a formal order repeating verbatim the substantive portion of the ruling. Copy the text from the proposed tentative ruling and paste it into a pleading template. The order may be immediately submitted to the Court for execution in the courtroom or submitted for e-filing without obtaining approval of other parties. In all other cases, the prevailing party shall prepare an order consistent with the announced ruling in accordance with California Rule of Court 3.1312 and shall forward the proposed order to counsel for review before submitting it to the Court for execution and filing. (Eff. 7/1/17) (Renumbered 7/1/20) Rule 2.11 CASES INVOLVING THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT Rule 2.11.01 Form and Format of the Administrative Record The format of the administrative record shall be governed by California Rule of Court 3.2205. (Eff. 1/1/20) (Renumbered 7/1/20) Rule 2.11.02 Lodging of the Administrative Record In accordance with California Rule of Court 3.2206 the party preparing the administrative record must lodge one copy of the record in an electronic format that is both searchable and readable and complies with California Rule of Court 3.2207. If the party also wishes to lodge a paper copy, it must comply with California Rule of Court 3.2208 and be bound in three ring binders. (Eff. 1/1/20) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Rev. 1/1/26) Rule 2.11.03 Disputes Regarding the Contents of the Administrative Record Once the administrative record has been filed, any disputes about its accuracy or scope should be resolved by appropriate noticed motion. A motion to supplement the certified administrative record with additional documents or to exclude certain documents from the record may be noticed by any party and should be filed no later than the deadline for filing of petitioner’s opening memorandum of points and authorities in support of the writ. Opposition and reply memoranda on the motion should be filed no later than the deadline for filing the opposition and reply memoranda regarding the writ. (Eff. 1/1/20) (Renumbered 7/1/20) Rule 2.11.04 Trial Notebooks Petitioner shall prepare a trial notebook that must be delivered to the trial judge 21 days before the date of the hearing or at the time the Reply Brief is filed, whichever is later. The trial notebook must consist of the petition, all answers, the briefs, any motions set to be heard at trial, the statement of issues, and any other documents agreed upon by the parties. Any submitted trial notebooks are for the convenience of the trial judge and shall be marked “Chambers Copy”. (Eff. 1/1/20) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Rev. 1/1/26) Rule 2.11.05 Administrative Record Excerpts Petitioner, in cooperation with the responding parties, must prepare a collection of the key Administrative Record for the use of the trial judge. The excerpts shall be submitted to the clerk of the court 21 days before the date of the hearing or at the time the Reply Brief is filed, whichever is later. The collection shall contain each page of the Administrative Record cited in any of the parties’ briefs, including the page before and the page following the cited page in the Administrative Record. The collection of Administrative Record excerpts must be in an electronic format that is both searchable and readable or housed in three-ring binders. Any submitted administrative record excerpts are for the convenience of the trial judge and shall be marked “Chambers Copy”. (Eff. 1/1/20) (Renumbered 7/1/20) (Rev. 1/1/26)
DIVISION TWO - CIVIL RULES Rule 2.1 CASE MANAGEMENT Rule 2.1.01 Initial Contact At the time the case is filed, the clerk shall append to the initial pleading a document entitled "CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION AND SETTING" stating that the case is in the Case Management Program, that it is the duty of each party to be familiar with the California Rules of Court, and the DATE, TIME and PLACE o
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-07 (California T4 Santa Cruz build 2026-10-07) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-santa-cruz/docs/local-rules/santa-cruz-superior-court-local-rules-court-july-1-2026-final.pdf (1421611 bytes, sha256 a997ec993bbbd5c2534a1f92b30961a0c2586b4bbd601a165d1ba05a75622910; 175 pages; this division's rules are pages 26 to 42) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow). The running header (Superior Court of California; County of Santa Cruz; Local Rules July 1, 2026) and the page numbers removed as chrome; the cover, the navigation note, the table of contents, Appendix A (the list of rules with their histories), Appendix B (the list of local forms) and the index belong to no card; the strike report found no struck text; lines reflowed into the court's paragraphs, each rule heading and history note on its own line; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass. The book prints its list labels as images: 84 labels set before the lines they label from their placements on the pages (build/labels.py; each placement labelled once, the composer's characters unchanged). Documented layout fixes (read on the page; the proofs hold): history notes printed on two lines set as one paragraph each; Rule 2.4.07's heading, a revoked rule's “Preempted by California Rules of Court” and Rule 2.9.01's “Ex Parte Paperwork:” set on their own lines; two in-sentence citations the reflow took for headings (“Rule 3.1.07.”, “Rule 3.1308,”) joined to their sentences. Review note: The list labels (“(a)”, “1.” ...) print as images in the rule book, not as text; each is set before the line it labels from its placement on the page (build/labels.py; every placement in the division labelled once). Published as printed: Rule 2.1.03(a) names local form SUPCV 1014 “Application and Stipulation for Order to Continue for Order to Continue Mediation Hearing and/or Case Management Conference”; “Rule 2.8.01(Reserved)”.
Division XI: information forms for data processing (Rule 11.2); required action - action taken on all calendared cases and a future date always set (Rule 11.19); and pro tem judges - an attorney named as a plaintiff in a civil or small claims case may not sit as a judge pro-tem during the case or within six months following its resolution, nor one named as a defendant in two or more such cases (Rule 11.22). Rules 11.1, 11.3 to 11.5, 11.7 to 11.18, 11.20 and 11.21 are repealed, and Rule 11.6 (voluntary arbitration; see Local Rule 10.2) was repealed and renumbered.
Duval County's indigent-defense and magistration rules under the Texas Fair Defense Act (S.B. 7): who may be booked into the county jail and on what paper; arrest-case numbering; presentment to a magistrate within 48 hours (art. 15.16); the magistrate's warnings, counsel inquiry, interpreter duty, indigence determination and appointment of counsel within 24 hours of a request; the alternative appointment plan under art. 26.04(g)-(h) with annual applications, seven attorney categories (capital, first and second degree, third degree/state jail/misdemeanor, competency, appeals, post-conviction, extradition), CLE and experience standards, random rotation within each category, written acceptance within 48 hours, first contact by the end of the next working day, replacement and suspension of counsel, fee applications within five days of completing services and the compensation attachment ($500 pleas; $175/$150 hourly; $1,400 per jury-trial day; appellate caps); bail schedules by offense class with a personal bond office (fee $20 or 3%), pre-trial supervision and revocation hearings within two working days; arraignment settings and notice; repeal of conflicting rules.