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Complex Civil Litigation

Effective January 1, 2021, There is no longer a dedicated Civil Complex Litigation department. Complex cases are single assigned, and distributed equally to the five Civil Judges.

Complex Civil Case Designation, Local Rule 3.300

Civil Cases Automatically Deemed Complex

Recognizing that certain civil cases are defined as provisionally complex pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.400(c), considering the factors which make a case complex enumerated in CRC Rule 3.400(b), and consistent with the policy to determine as soon as reasonably practicable whether a case is complex under CRC Rule 3.403, the following case types are presumed to be complex and shall be automatically deemed a "complex case":

  • All general civil cases designated as a "class action" on the Civil Case
  • All general civil cases alleging a claim under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), Labor Code Section 2698 et seq., as a representative of aggrieved employees;
  • All general civil cases identified as "provisionally complex civil litigation" on the Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CMC-010);
  • All Construction Defect cases
Complex Case Designation Determined by the Civil Supervising Judge

If the plaintiff has not designated the civil case as provisionally complex or as a class action on the Civil Case Cover Sheet, and a defendant files a Civil Case Cover Sheet counter-designating the action as complex (under CRC Rule 3.402(b)), or if the plaintiff has designated the case as provisionally complex or as a class action on the Civil Case Cover Sheet and a defendant files a Civil Case Cover Sheet counter-designating the action as not a complex case (under CRC Rule. 3.402(a)), the case will be set for complex determination within 30 days on the calendar of the Civil Supervising Judge.

Model Stipulated Protective Orders.

For the ease of the parties and to assure compliance with the requirements of California Rules of Court, Rules 2.550 and 2.551, the Complex Court has adopted two model stipulated protective orders. If only one level of confidentiality is desired, the Stipulation and Protective Order Regarding Confidential Information (Single Level of Confidentiality) may be used. If there is a need to shield some confidential information from the parties, the Stipulation and Protective Order Regarding Confidential Information (Double Level of Confidentiality) may be used. Use of these model stipulated protective orders is recommended but not required.