United States District Court for the Northern District of California

Discovery

In ADA access cases, discovery and most motions are stayed unless the assigned judge orders otherwise.

“All discovery, motion practice (except for motions under Rule 12(b) and motions to appear pro hac vice), and other proceedings are STAYED unless the assigned judge orders otherwise.”

Conferences

Except in unusually complex cases, keep the joint case management statement to ten pages or fewer.

“The parties must include the following information in their statement which, except in unusually complex cases, should not exceed ten pages:”

Conferences

In the joint case management statement, identify one to three consequential issues in bold or highlighting and discuss how to speed their resolution.

“The parties shall jointly identify (in bold or highlight) one to three issues which are the most consequential to the case and discuss how resolution of these issues may be expedited.”

Conferences

In ADA access cases involving a physical site, counsel and unrepresented parties must meet there for a joint inspection within 60 days after service, subject to the order’s stated exceptions.

“No later than 60 days after service of the complaint, counsel and any unrepresented parties (accompanied by their experts or consultants and the parties themselves, if the parties so elect or if required in order to comply with Section (c) below) shall meet in person at the subject premises to conduct a joint site inspection.”

Trial

Do not photograph or record courtrooms, courthouse common areas, or remotely accessed proceedings unless an authorized exception applies.

“Photographing and video and audio recording are prohibited in the courtrooms and in the common areas of the courthouse (i.e., the corridors and other areas outside the courtrooms). In addition, photographing or recording any court proceeding from a location outside the courthouse in conjunction with remote audio or video access is prohibited.”

Trial

Do not bring smart glasses with recording, photography, or streaming capabilities into San Francisco courtrooms or the other listed courthouses.

“‘Smart glasses’ with recording, photographing, or streaming capabilities may not be brought into San Francisco courtrooms by anyone, including jurors. They are barred entirely from the courthouses in Oakland, San Jose, and McKinleyville.”