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TRIALS

The trial date cannot be continued by stipulation (see California Rules of Court) of the parties, but may be continued at a hearing before the Court and good cause shown.

In long cause trials, at least seven (7) days before the trial date, counsel and self-represented parties shall exchange with each other and file with the Court a trial brief in the format set out in Rule 14.14(b).

In short cause trials, the Court may, at its discretion, order counsel and self-represented parties to comply with all or part of the disclosures and pleadings required for the Mandatory Settlement Conference.

For all trials when attorney's fees, expert's fees and costs are at issue, the party seeking such fees and costs will comply with Rule 14.10.

No Witness List or Exhibit List or Expert's Report may be amended or augmented after the Mandatory Settlement Conference has been concluded without first having obtained the approval of the MSC judicial officer at the MSC or the trial court, good cause having been shown.

All Exhibits set forth in the Exhibit List, that was exchanged pursuant to the MSC rules, shall be pre-marked and exchanged at least five (5) court days prior to the initial date set for hearing. No exhibits shall be allowed into evidence that have not been pre-marked and exchanged, without first having obtained the approval of the trial court and having shown good cause.

Counsel shall submit to the clerk prior to the start of trial all pre-marked exhibits together with a second "working" copy for the Court. It is preferable that all exhibits be placed in a binder, with appropriate tabs.

Counsel should read and be familiar with the Local Rules regarding Civil Trial Procedures in Chapter Eight of these rules. (Rule 14.15 adopted and effective 7/1/04.)