Free TRIAL SETTING BY PHONE PROCEDURES - California

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA County of Sacramento
720 9th Street Sacramento, CA 95814 916-874-5522--Website www.saccourt.ca.gov

TRIAL SETTING PROCESS BY PHONE PROCEDURES
Effective August 4, 2008, the court implemented a new procedure: the Trial Setting Process (TSP). This new process, which replaces the old system of Trial Setting Conferences in Dept. 47, will allow parties more time to meet and confer with counsel on trial dates and mandatory settlement conference dates and will eliminate court appearances either in person or via court call. Parties referred to the TSP will be allowed 60 days from the date of referral to phone in selected dates. The Master Calendar Department will accept phone calls Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To obtain the available dates, callers may access a tape recorded message at (916) 874-6098 or access the Court's Internet website, http://www.saccourt.ca.gov/civil/docs/trial-setting-process.pdf. The available dates will be updated each day after 4:00 p.m. Please keep in mind that trial dates and mandatory settlement conference dates are available 60-90 days from the date of referral. Dates and times will change weekly; therefore, if you wish to select an early trial date, it is recommended that you make your selections as early as possible after your referral. In contrast, if you wish to select later dates, it is recommended that you check the available dates once a week, as the dates will be extended as you get closer to the end of your 60-day selection period. It is the responsibility of all counsel (including parties appearing in pro per) in the action to confer and agree upon at least three trial dates and three settlement conference dates prior to calling in their selections. These dates are to be conveyed to the Master Calendar Department at (916) 874-5446. If parties are unable to reach an agreement on or before the 60th day from the referral date, the court staff will set the dates for trial and mandatory settlement conference, and the parties will be noticed. WHEN SELECTING YOUR TRIAL AND SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE DATES, PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: LONG CAUSE TRIALS are calendared for Mondays and Tuesdays only at 8:30 a.m. in Department 47. SETTLEMENT CONFERENCES are calendared Monday through Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Department 59, approximately two to four weeks prior to the trial date. SHORT CAUSE TRIALS are calendared for Fridays only at 8:30 a.m. in Department 47. It is the responsibility of the plaintiff's counsel to give notice of trial and settlement conference dates, times and departments. Dates set by the court will be noticed by the court. Motions to extend time to select Trial and Mandatory Settlement Conference dates through the Trial Setting Process must be made to the appropriate CMP department prior to the 60th day from the original referral to TSP. Motions to continue Trial and/or Settlement Conference dates must be made to the Presiding Judge prior to the selected dates. We hope this program will assist you and your scheduling needs. If you have any questions, please contact Master Calendar at (916) 874-5446.

Trial Setting by Phone Procedures CV\E-140 (Rev 04.27.09) Page 1 of 1