Trial Court Document Formatting Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the required size for all papers filed in the trial courts?

8 by 10 inches

Letter size

8½ by 11 inches (correct)

A4 size

Which font styles are deemed acceptable for use in filed papers?

Courier, Times New Roman, Arial (correct)

Courier New, Arial Black, Calibri

Arial, Comic Sans, Helvetica

Verdana, Georgia, Tahoma

What is the minimum font size required for papers filed in the trial courts?

11 points

14 points

12 points (correct)

10 points

What is the required margin size for the left side of each page?

1 inch Signup and view all the answers

What color must the font be in papers filed in the trial courts?

Black or Blue-black Signup and view all the answers

How should the spacing of lines in filed papers be formatted?

One and one-half spaced or double-spaced Signup and view all the answers

What must a person use when serving and filing a Judicial Council form?

The most recent version of the form approved by the council Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a motion for sanctions under Rule 2.30?

Identification of the specific conduct and the person to be sanctioned Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a requirement for filing citations in court documents?

Consistent citation style throughout the document Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum time allowed to serve a complaint and summons on named defendants after filing the complaint?

60 days Signup and view all the answers

When amends are made to doe in a defendant, how long does the party have to serve the amended complaint?

30 days Signup and view all the answers

What action must a plaintiff take if a responsive pleading is not served within the specified time limits?

Request entry of default Signup and view all the answers

What is the time limit for obtaining a default judgment after a default has been entered?

45 days Signup and view all the answers

How many days in advance must responsive papers to an order to show cause be filed and served before the hearing?

5 days Signup and view all the answers

Under Rule 2.117, what must copies of served papers conform to?

The original papers filed, including pagination and interlineations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT required for each cause of action according to Rule 2.112?

Indicating the amount of monetary damages sought. Signup and view all the answers

In Rule 2.112, what is the required format for stating each separately stated cause of action?

With specific details including its number and the party asserting it. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'conformed copies' refer to in the context of Rule 2.117?

Copies that match the form and content of original papers. Signup and view all the answers

What must a party include when applying for permission to file a longer memorandum?

Reasons why the argument cannot be made within the stated limit Signup and view all the answers

When must a court make its tentative ruling available?

By 3:00 p.m. the court day before the scheduled hearing Signup and view all the answers

What is required if a party wishes to appear for oral argument regarding a tentative ruling?

Notification of intention to appear by 4:00 p.m. the day before the hearing Signup and view all the answers

What must each court provide to the plaintiff at the time the complaint is filed in general civil cases?

An alternative dispute resolution (ADR) information package Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for serving a copy of the ADR information package on each defendant?

The plaintiff Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the limitation on filing a deposition notice?

A deposition notice may be filed only if relevant to ongoing issues. Signup and view all the answers

What does the court require regarding the filing of papers related to discovery requests?

They can be filed if they are relevant or ordered for good cause. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

California Rules of Court & Personal Injury Litigation

California Rules of Court were first adopted in 1943
Previously, each court had its own procedural rules
The Rules of Court now provide uniformity and standardization in the state's legal system
These rules govern how California state courts operate, promoting fairness and consistency
Cover topics like: how cases are initiated, document filing, trial procedures, and appeals
Not legislative; 1 of 29 Codes
The Judicial Council of California oversees the rules
Ensures consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice
Regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in law and practice

Titles

Title 1 - Rules Applicable to All Courts, sections 1.1 to 1.300
Chapter details: Timing and Holidays (sections 1.10-1.11); Service and Filing (sections 1.20-1.22); Judicial Council Forms (sections 1.30-1.51); Form and Format of Papers (sections 1.200-1.201)
Rule 1.10: Time for actions (a) Computation of time - time computation excludes the first day and includes the last, excluding Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holidays. (b) Holidays - if the last day for action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the period is extended to the next business day
Rule 1.21: Service-(a) Service on a party or attorney - service must be made on the party's attorney (if represented); (b)"Serve and file" - means that a copy of the document must be served on each representative for each party and a completed proof of service filed with the court; (c) "Proof of Service" - a declaration stating that service has been made according to (a) and (b)
Title 1 - Rules Applicable to All Courts: Judicial Council Forms • Rule 1.31: Mandatory forms - uses forms prescribed by Government Code section 68511. Alternative mandatory forms may be used. • Rule 1.37: Use of forms- must use current version of forms adopted by the Judicial Council. • Rule 1.41: Proofs of service on forms - proof of service is included in some forms. Parties can use included proof or other appropriate proof.
Title 1 - Rules Applicable to All Courts: Format of Citations • Rule 1.200: Format of citations- Citations to cases and other authorities must use either the California Style Manual or The Bluebook; same style throughout.
Title 2 - Trial Court Rules • Rules applicable to Superior Courts, including case management, civil proceedings (among others) • Important divisions; sections 2.1-2.30; 2.100-2.150; 2.200-2.306
(a) Preemption of local rules - local rules on form/format of papers are preempted by Judicial Council rules.
(Rule 2.100 -Form and format) Judicial Council has preempted local rules
Rule 2.103: Size, quality, and color of papers - all papers must be 8.5 x 11 inches, opaque, unglazed paper, white or unbleached, of standard quality, not less than 20-pound weight.
Rule 2.104: Font size, printing - font size must be at least 12 points
Rule 2.105: Font style
Rule 2.106: Font color - black or blue-black
Rule 2.107: Margins - left margin at least 1 inch, right margin at least 1/2 inch
Rule 2.108: Spacing and numbering of Lines - spacing must be 1.5 or double-spaced; line numbers must be consecutive at left margin.
Rule 2.109: Page numbering - Each page must be numbered consecutively.
Rule 2.117: Conformed copies
Rule 2.112: Separate causes of action, counts, and defenses
Rule 2.118: Acceptance of papers for filing - clerks must refuse papers that do not comply with rules
Title 3 - Civil Rules
Superior Courts; Rules specific to civil cases (including personal injury claims); case management; format of court papers; pleadings; discovery; alternative dispute resolution (ADR); and trials.
Important Divisions: Filing and Service, Parties and Actions, Civil Case Management, Alternate Dispute Resolution, Discovery, Law and Motion, Settlement, Judgments
Title 3- Civil Rules; Rule 3.110- Filing and Service of the Complaint:
Sets forth the requirement that the complaint and summons be served on parties within 60 days.
Amendment to add a defendant must be served and proof filed within 30 days after amendments.
Failure to serve - order to show cause
Request for entry of default - if responsive pleading is not served, PL must request entry of default within 10 days;
Court may issue order to show cause
Default judgment - must be obtained within 45 days after default
Order to show cause - responsive documents for orders must be filed/served at least 5 days prior to the hearing
Title 3- Civil Rules; Rule 3.220- Case Cover Sheet:
First paper filed must be accompanied by a case cover sheet- mandatory JCC Form.
Cover sheet required in addition to any cover sheet required by local rules.
Failure to provide cover sheet - Sanctions
Title 3- Civil Rules, Rule 3.221 - Info about ADR:
Court must provide an information package to the plaintiff at complaint filing.
Plaintiff must serve a copy of the ADR package on each defendant.
Title 3: Rule 3.250 - Limitations on the filing of papers - (b) Retaining originals of papers not filed: All original papers must be retained until six months after final disposition unless court orders otherwise.
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Rule 3.350 - Consolidation of cases:
Allows for consolidation of cases in the Courts- lead case is the lowest numbered case.
Court must file order in each consolidated case, and all documents must include the caption and case number of the lead case along with the case numbers of other consolidated cases.
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Division 7 - Civil Case Management - Rules on general provisions (3.700); differential case management (3.710-3.715); case management (3.720-3.735); management of collection cases (3.740-3.741); management of complex cases (3.750-3.751), management of Class actions (3.760-3.771).
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Division 11 - Law and Motion: covers general provisions (3.1100 - 3.1109), format for motion papers (3.1110-3.1116), provisional&injunctive relief (3.1130-3.1184), ex parte applications (3.1200-3.1207), noticed motions (3.1300-3.1312), particular motions (3.1320-3.1362), civil petitions (3.1365), other civil petitions (3.1370-3.1372)
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Rule 3.1112 – Motions and Other Pleadings - (a) Motions required papers
Required papers for motions: Notice of hearing, motion itself, memorandum in support of motion or demurrer.
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Rule 3.1113 - Memorandum- (a) Memorandum in support of motion
Supporting memorandum required for motions (except listed in rule 3.1114)- absence of memorandum can be considered an admission of lack of merit
Title 3- Civil Rules; Rule 3.1308—Tentative rulings--(1) Notice of intent to appear, required-
Court must make its tentative ruling available at least one day prior to the hearing, may direct oral argument, parties can notify court/other parties of intention to appear
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Rule 3.1308—Tentative rulings--(2) No notice of intent to appear, required
Title 3- Civil Rules; Rule 3.1322- Motion to Strike: Explains how to and when to file a motion to strike
Title 3 -Civil Rules; Rule 3.1320 - Demurrer: Explains how demurrers work.
Title 3- Civil Rules; Rule 3.1350- Summary Judgement & summary adjuducations
Title 3 - Civil Rules; Division 12 - Settlement (3.1380-3.1385); Rule 3.1380-Mandatory settlement conferences.
Rule 3.1382- Good faith settlement and dismissal
Rule 3.1384-Petition
Title 3; Rule 3.670- ADR-Court-ordered ADR in civil cases.
Title 3, CACI Jury instructions
Use of instructions - recommended to use Judicial Council approved instructions unless another instruction more accurately states the law.

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Test your knowledge on the formatting requirements for papers filed in trial courts. This quiz covers font styles, sizes, margins, and specific rules related to court documents. Make sure you're familiar with the necessary standards for legal filings!