Overview of Which Departments Hear Civil Matters

Limited and Unlimited Civil actions excluding Small Claims and Limited Civil Unlawful Detainer cases are heard as outlined below. Calendars, information, and protocols for each department can be found on their webpages.

The Presiding Judge hears all motions for consolidation, severance, bifurcation, intervention, pretrial conference, coordination, change of venue, consolidation, or to advance or continue trial on UNLIMITED and LIMITED cases. More information is available on the Presiding Judge webpage.

In Writ of Mandate cases and Complex cases, all motions will be heard in the department of the assigned judge. Check their webpages for specific law and motion information and protocols in these departments.

The trial judge is responsible for hearing motions in limine, motions for new trial or to set aside and vacate a judgment pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure § 663 - external link, motions to stay judgments, motions to tax costs after trial, and proceedings to settle any statement on appeal.

The Civil Home Court Departments hear all other civil law and motion matters, petitions for change of name, and applications for appointment of guardian ad litem. The home court department also hears all cases assigned to the Case Management Program for pre-trial monitoring, including motions regarding judicial arbitration, redesignation of a case, for extension of time to answer a complaint, for relief from CMP rules, or any motion pertaining to the certificate for short cause matters.

If a judge has been assigned for all purposes, all motions will be heard in that department.

Alternatives to Appearing at a Hearing

The Court strongly encourages all parties to appear remotely, either telephonically or by video conference via the Zoom video/audio conference platform, subject to Code of Civil Procedure §367.75 - external link whenever possible, with the exception of the following evidentiary hearings: Civil Jury Trials, Civil Short Cause Trials, Order of Examination (OX) Hearings, and Civil Harassment Hearings/Trials.

Check the specific department for remote appearance information. If appearing remotely, parties are required to participate in their hearing using a device that has video and/or audio capability (i.e., computer, smartphone, or tablet). Although remote participation is not required, the Court will presume all parties are appearing remotely for non-evidentiary civil hearings. Requirements for noticing remote appearances depend on whether the civil hearing is evidentiary or non-evidentiary. Information on how to appear remotely is listed in the tentative ruling.

For additional information, please refer to the Court's Public Notice – Civil Hearings Effective Monday, January 3, 2022.