judge console · N.D. Cal.
N.D. Cal. · Judge Chen · Practice Guide

Hon. Edward M. Chen

Verified 2026-06-26verify at the court's site ↗

All local rules for N.D. Cal., integrated with this judge's published requirements.

Before You File
Ex parte applications
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

Permitted only if statute, Federal Rule, local rule, or standing order authorizes; cite authority in motion Civ. L.R. 7-10 ↗

Drafting the Motion
Length limits — motion, opposition, reply
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule
Motion

25 pages maximum (motion must be in one document not exceeding 25 pages) Civ. L.R. 7-2(b) ↗

Opposition

25 pages maximum Civ. L.R. 7-4(b) ↗

Reply

15 pages maximum Civ. L.R. 7-4(b) ↗

Filing & Scheduling
Briefing schedule & hearing date
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule
Notice period

35 days after filing (FRCP 6(d) mail-service extension expressly excluded) Civ. L.R. 7-2(a) ↗

Hearing days

Judge's individual law and motion calendar; no district-wide standard hearing day Civ. L.R. 7-2(a) ↗

Proposed orders
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

PDF attached to motion; Word format emailed to assigned judge's chambers address Civ. L.R. 5-1(f) ↗

The Hearing
Oral argument
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

Court may decide without oral argument or by telephone at judge's discretion Civ. L.R. 7-1(b) ↗

Discovery
Discovery referral procedure
🏛 N.D. Cal. local rule

Magistrate judges authorized for all non-dispositive pretrial matters including discovery Civ. L.R. 72-1 ↗

👤 Judge Chen — standing order

These Standing Orders apply only to cases in which discovery is supervised by this Court rather than the magistrate judge. The Court, at its discretion, may elect to transfer discovery matters to a magistrate judge or a special master.

Know Before You Go
👤 Judge Chen — deviations that burn people
  • Discovery supervision is discretionary -- the Court may keep discovery or transfer to a magistrate; do not assume assignment to magistrate until the Court rules.
  • When discovery is before Judge Chen, responses to document requests must affirmatively state the full extent of production AND confirm in writing after production is complete -- two separate obligations.
  • Deposition objections: speaking objections and coaching objections are prohibited; instructions not to answer are limited to privilege, court-ordered limitations, or FRCP 30(d)(3) motions.
  • Pretrial meet-and-confer is required 42 days before final pretrial conference -- an earlier and harder deadline than many judges.
content assembled from published local rules & standing orders · click any section in the rail for the full treatment