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Chapter 4: conformed copies for the eCourt case types - face pages at case initiation, ink-stamped copies of later filings, orders and judgments - and return envelopes for other case types (Rule 4.01); eminent domain pleadings (Rule 4.02); Judicial Council forms in domestic relations cases (Rule 4.03); electronic delivery in civil, small claims, family law and probate cases, family law eDelivery received between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. deemed filed that day, and the 16 kinds of documents that may not be submitted electronically (Rule 4.05); pleadings filed after leave is granted, within ten (10) days (Rule 4.07); complaints-in-intervention (Rule 4.08); exhibit tabs (Rule 4.09); proofs of service on a party's attorney (Rule 4.10); law and motion papers filed at the courthouse where the matter is heard and proposed orders (Rule 4.11); default hearing forms in limited civil cases (Rule 4.12); appellate briefs served on the trial judge (Rule 4.13); pseudonyms (Rule 4.14); and erroneously sued defendants (Rule 4.15).
California > Second Appellate District > Ventura County > Superior Court of California, County of Ventura
CHAPTER 4: COURT PLEADINGS, FORMS AND DOCUMENT FORMAT RULE 4.00 ORGANIZATION (Deleted effective January 1, 1998) RULE 4.01 CONFORMED COPIES A. For all eCourt case types (Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Mental Health, and all Civil Restraining Orders): 1. New case initiation filings: The clerk will provide and return a conformed face page of each document filed at case initiation (i.e., Summons, Complaint, Petition, Civil Case Coversheet, etc.) either by hand (if filed in person) or by mail if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided. The filing party may use the face pages to prepare conformed copies. Parties are not to submit additional copies of their documents to be conformed. 2. Subsequent filings on existing cases: The clerk will conform with an ink stamp any copies submitted with filings that do not require judicial review. Conformed copies of the filings will be returned either by hand (if filed in person) or by mail if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided. Unless (1) the case is confidential by law, (2) the filing is sealed by court order, or (3) electronic access to the case is limited by California Rules of Court, rule 2.503(c), parties can also view/download copies of file stamped documents on the Court’s website to use as conformed copies. 3. Orders: For cases that are (1) confidential by law or (2) subject to restrictions on access pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.503(c), the clerk will mail a conformed copy of a filed order in a Court-provided envelope to the submitting party. For cases that are not confidential by law or are not subject to restrictions on access, the filed order will be available on the Court’s website to view/download or may be obtained from the Records Department. Parties are not to submit a return envelope with their proposed order. 4. Unlawful Detainer Judgments: The clerk will file and return all supporting documents via the envelope provided with the submission or by attorney service. After the judgment is filed, the clerk will mail a conformed copy of the judgment in a Court provided envelope to the submitting party. 5. All Other Civil Judgments: For Court/Clerk judgments in cases other than Unlawful Detainer, the clerk will file and return all supporting documents via the envelope provided with the submission. After the judgment is filed, it will be available on the Court’s website to view/download or from the Records Department. B. For all other case types. If requesting that conformed copies of filed documents be returned by mail, such request shall be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope, large enough for all conformed copies and with sufficient prepaid postage for the weight of the conformed copies to be returned. (Revised effective January 1, 2024) RULE 4.02 PLEADINGS AND RECORDS IN AN EMINENT DOMAIN ACTION INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE PARCEL OF PROPERTY A. PLEADINGS. In an eminent domain action involving more than one parcel of property, the plaintiff's complaint shall set forth, in addition to the matters required by Code of Civil Procedure §1250.310, numbers or symbols to identify each of the parcels of property. A defendant's answer, demurrer, or written appearance shall set forth in the space below the number of the case and in parentheses, the parcel numbers or symbols that identify the property claimed by him. B. COPY OF PLEADINGS. Within ten (10) days after service of each defendant's pleading the plaintiff shall file a duplicate copy of his complaint, summons, lis pendens, and other pertinent documents. A defendant who claims more than one parcel of property shall file a copy of his pleading for each parcel claimed by him. A copy of such pleading shall be filed by the Executive Officer and Clerk in the appropriate parcel files. C. REGISTER. The Executive Officer and Clerk shall include in the register, opposite the name of each defendant, the numbers or symbols that identify the property in which he is alleged to have an interest. D. (Deleted effective 7/1/2023) E. WAIVER OF REQUIREMENTS. The court may, for good cause shown, order any paper to be filed without a parcel number or symbol. F. ASSIGNMENT OF CASES CONCERNING A SINGLE PROJECT. Multiple eminent domain cases filed simultaneously on behalf of public agencies for a single project are exempt from the procedure to assign individual cases on a random basis. The caption of each eminent domain complaint concerning a single project shall indicate that the case is one of several to acquire the property for a designated public project. Each of the multiple cases so designated will be assigned to one judge. The existing random assignment procedures will be overridden to accommodate such assignment. (Revised effective July 1, 2023) RULE 4.03 PRESCRIBED FORMS IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES In domestic relations cases, mandatory and optional Judicial Council forms shall be used. The original thereof shall be filed together with proof of service prior to the date and time set for hearing. (Effective January 1, 1997) RULE 4.04 FACSIMILE FILING (Repealed March 15, 2018) RULE 4.05 ELECTRONIC DELIVERY Electronic delivery of filings in civil, small claims, family law and probate cases, are permitted to the extent set forth below, and shall conform to the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure § 1010.6 and California Rules of Court, rules 2.252 et seq. A. Court users electing to submit documents by electronic delivery must submit all documents to the court’s approved electronic service provider under California Rules of Court, rule 2.255. Court users must also comply with the terms and conditions of electronic delivery set forth on the court’s website at www.Ventura.courts.ca.gov. B. Upon receiving a document(s) by electronic delivery, a “Notice of Receipt of Documents,” containing the eFiling ID number and confirming that the court has received the document(s), will be sent to the email address provided by the submitting party. C. Any document(s) received by electronic delivery will be accepted by the court, if the document(s) meets all legal filing requirements and any required fees are paid and correct. An email will be sent to the email address provided by the submitting party stating that the document(s) is accepted. If a document(s) is not accepted, an email stating that the document(s) is rejected will be sent to the email address provided by the submitting party. D. Any electronic document submitted through eDelivery for filing in Family Law received by the court between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on a court day, shall be deemed filed as of that day. This rule concerns only the method and effective date of filing; any document that is electronically filed must satisfy all other legal filing deadlines and requirements. This rule also does not affect any statutory or court ordered requirements that a document be filed by a set date. E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or these rules, the following documents shall not be electronically submitted and/or filed by a party or user: 1. Any document exceeding 200 pages (limit applies to Family Law cases only); 2. No lodgings, except for proposed orders; 3. Will, codicil or testamentary trust; 4. Bond or undertaking; 5. Any order with an original judicial officer’s signature; 6. Out-of-State Commission; 7. Abstract of Judgment; 8. Writ of Execution; 9. Confidential document(s) lodged conditionally under seal; 10. Certificate of Facts Re Unsatisfied Judgment; 11. Family Law Request for Entry of Default, Judgment and the Notice of Entry of Judgment; 12. Letters of Administration; 13. Affidavit Re Real Property of Small Value (Probate); 14. Any and all documents relating to restraining order matters, including applications/requests for restraining orders, proposed temporary restraining order and notice of hearing (i.e., Domestic Violence, Civil Harassment, Elder Abuse, etc.); 15. Notice of Pendency of Action; and 16. Any paper document ordered by the court to be filed in the clerk’s office. (Revised effective July 1, 2026) RULE 4.06 ELECTRONIC MAIL ADDRESSES ON PLEADINGS (Deleted effective January 1, 2009) RULE 4.07 FILING OF PROPOSED PLEADINGS AFTER LEAVE IS GRANTED If the court grants leave to file a new or amended pleading, any proposed pleading attached to the motion, application, or stipulation requesting leave, will not be deemed filed by the court. Instead, the new or amended pleading (as a separate document) must be presented to the Clerk’s Office for filing within the time specified by the court. If no time for filing the pleading is set by the court, then the pleading shall be filed within ten (10) days of the issuance of order. (Revised effective January 1, 2026) RULE 4.08 FILING AND SERVICE OF COMPLAINTS-IN-INTERVENTION A. Complaints-in-intervention shall be filed by leave of court only as set forth in Code of Civil Procedure §387(a). An original complaint-in- intervention shall be submitted along with the application for leave of court. Upon granting of the order regarding leave to file, the complaint-in-intervention shall be separately filed forthwith with the Clerk’s Office, and in no event later than ten (10) days from the issuance of the order granting leave. The complaint-in-intervention shall be served in accord with Code of Civil Procedure §387(a), and proof of service shall be returned to the court no later than thirty (30) days after filing of the complaint-in-intervention. B. A complaint-in-intervention that is filed exclusively under, and in both its caption and substance involves, only the provisions of Labor Code §3852, shall be treated as both a complaint-in-intervention and as an application to file same. (Revised effective January 1, 2024) RULE 4.09 EXHIBIT TABS For all eCourt case types (Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Mental Health, and all Civil Restraining Orders), hard copy documents submitted for filing shall not include exhibit tabs or other dividers which cause the page to exceed ”8 ½ by 11”. Parties shall specify the exhibit number or letter in the footer of every page of each exhibit. (Effective January 1, 2024) RULE 4.10 IDENTIFICATION OF PARTY BEING SERVED ON PROOF OF SERVICE In all cases where proof of service is made on any party by mailing a copy of the summons and complaint, cross complaint or other pleading to the party’s attorney, the proof of service shall identify the party or parties whom counsel represents as indicated below: John Jones, Esq. 123 Main Street Ventura, CA 93003 Attorney for Defendant Mary Smith (Revised effective January 1, 2024) RULE 4.11 LAW AND MOTION A. Unless otherwise ordered, or electronically submitted, all noticed or ex-parte motions and any documents in support or opposition thereto shall be presented for filing in the clerk’s office located at the courthouse where the matter is to be heard. B. Proposed Order(s): parties are to comply with California Rules of Court, rules 3.1201 and/or 3.1312 regarding submissions of proposed orders. If a party lodges an original proposed order(s) before the hearing is conducted, any copies of the proposed order(s) to be conformed are to be brought on the day of the hearing and not lodged prior to the hearing. (Revised effective January 1, 2024) RULE 4.12 DEFAULT HEARING FORMS IN LIMITED CIVIL CASES Automobile deficiency judgments will not be granted nor submitted to a judge for approval unless a “Declaration in Support of Deficiency Judgment” has been completed and filed under Code of Civil Procedure § 585(d). All local court forms are available through the court’s website. RULE 4.13 SERVICE OF APPELLATE BRIEF ON TRIAL JUDGE Service of an appellate brief filed in the Court of Appeal on the Superior Court Clerk for delivery to the Trial Judge as provided by the California Rules of Court shall be submitted through electronic delivery and sent to admin-vsc@ventura.courts.ca.gov. RULE 4.14 USE OF PSEUDONYMS A. The title of a civil action shall include the names of all the parties except as provided by law. A plaintiff or petitioner shall not be identified in a pleading by a pseudonym unless the use of a pseudonym is permitted by court order or the use of a pseudonym without a court order is authorized by statute or rule of court. As used in this rule, “pseudonym” includes a party’s initials when used in lieu of that party’s full name. B. A plaintiff or petitioner who wishes to proceed under a pseudonym shall: 1. At the time the complaint or petition is filed, file an ex parte application for an order granting leave to proceed by pseudonym in lieu of the party’s true name; or 2. Conspicuously state in the caption of the complaint or petition the statute or rule of court permitting the use of a pseudonym without a court order. C. A complaint or petition presented for filing without compliance with subdivision (b) may be rejected by the clerk and not filed or, if filed, stricken by the court. D. A plaintiff or petitioner applying for an order granting leave to proceed by pseudonym shall follow the procedure established by statute or rule of court where the authorizing statute or rule specifies a procedure. In all other instances, the party shall, at the time the complaint or petition is filed, file an ex parte application and lodge a proposed order. The application must be supported by one or more declarations based on personal knowledge stating facts and circumstances demonstrating a privacy interest in preserving the party’s anonymity that overrides the public’s right of access to court proceedings. (See NBC Subsidiary (KNBC-TV), Inc. v. Superior Court (1999) 20 Cal.4th 1178.) A declaration in support of such an ex parte application may be lodged under seal pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 2.551. E. The court may grant or deny an ex parte application made under this rule without hearing. If the court denies the application, it may conditionally order the action dismissed without prejudice unless an amended pleading is filed stating the names of all parties. If the court grants the application, it may order that the party shall be designated for all purposes in the litigation, including discovery, by a pseudonym. In addition, the court may order that the party shall file under seal and serve on all parties a statement containing the party’s true name. In addition, the court may make any further orders necessary to preserve the party’s anonymity or serve the interests of justice. RULE 4.15 NAME OF DEFENDANT (OR OTHER RESPONDING PARTY) ON RESPONSIVE PLEADINGS If a defendant, cross-defendant or respondent is identified by an incorrect name in a pleading, the defendant, cross-defendant or respondent may respond to the pleading using his/her/entity’s correct name but shall also include the name by which that defendant, cross-defendant or respondent was erroneously sued by including the words “erroneously sued as [name used by the plaintiff/cross-complainant/petitioner]” after the responding party’s name in the responsive pleading. Failure to adhere to this rule will be grounds for the Clerk’s Office to reject the responsive pleading. (Effective July 1, 2025)
CHAPTER 4: COURT PLEADINGS, FORMS AND DOCUMENT FORMAT RULE 4.00 ORGANIZATION (Deleted effective January 1, 1998) RULE 4.01 CONFORMED COPIES A. For all eCourt case types (Civil, Probate, Small Claims, Mental Health, and all Civil Restraining Orders): 1. New case initiation filings: The clerk will provide and return a conformed face page of each document filed at case initiation (i.e., Summons, Comp
Reviewer note: Composed 2026-10-07 (California T4 Ventura build 2026-10-07) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-ventura/docs/general/ventura_county_rules_of_court.pdf (9476523 bytes, sha256 1d89183a36d880b3483586b9c4f3c9554799c2a7bb7bc9907c2200c2b01483c7; 116 pages; this card is from the rule body, pages 10 to 77, composed once and cut at the chapter headings) with the shared verbatim composer (v2 reflow). The running header (“Ventura County Superior Court Rules”, “July 1, 2026”) and the page numbers removed as chrome; the cover, the judges and officers page, the table of contents, Appendix II (the fee schedule), Appendix III (the local forms lists) and the index belong to no card; Chapters 16, 23, 24 and 27 print only deleted rules (no card); the strike report found no struck text; lines reflowed into the court's paragraphs, each rule heading on its own line; proof 1 (whitespace-only) and proof 2 (same character multiset as the text layer minus chrome) pass.
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.