[CAPTION PAGE]
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF [COUNTY]
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.
Case No.: [CASE NUMBER]
Assigned for All Purposes to:
Hon. [JUDGE NAME] – Dept. [DEPT.]
[PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT]’S NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION;
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES;
SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS;
DECLARATION(S) OF [DECLARANT NAME(S)] AND EXHIBITS;
[PROPOSED] ORDER; AND
PROOF OF SERVICE
Date: [HEARING DATE]
Time: [HEARING TIME] a.m.
Dept.: [DEPT.]
Reservation ID: [IF APPLICABLE]
[// GUIDANCE: Confirm hearing reservation procedures and timelines under local rules.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION ............................................... 1
- MEMORANDUM OF POINTS & AUTHORITIES ..................................... 3
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................... 3
2.2 Procedural Background ........................................................... 3
2.3 Legal Standard ........................................................................ 4
2.4 Undisputed Material Facts ...................................................... 5
2.5 Argument ................................................................................. 6
2.5.1 [First Cause of Action] .................................................. 6
2.5.2 [Second Cause of Action] ............................................ 8
2.6 Conclusion ............................................................................. 10 - SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS ................. 11
- DECLARATION(S) OF [DECLARANT] .................................................. 17
- [PROPOSED] ORDER .......................................................................... 22
- PROOF OF SERVICE .......................................................................... 24
[// GUIDANCE: Update page numbers after finalizing content.]
1. NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION
TO ALL PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on [HEARING DATE] at [HEARING TIME] a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in Department [DEPT.] of the above-entitled court, located at [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS], [PARTY MOVING] (“Movant”) will and hereby does move the Court, pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, for an order granting summary judgment, or in the alternative, summary adjudication of the issues specified herein.
This motion is made on the grounds that there is no triable issue of material fact and Movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on each cause of action (or specified issues) asserted in the [COMPLAINT/CROSS-COMPLAINT].
The motion is based upon this Notice, the accompanying Memorandum of Points and Authorities, Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts (“SSUMF”), the Declaration(s) of [DECLARANT NAME(S)] and exhibits thereto, all pleadings and records on file, and upon such further oral or documentary evidence as may be presented at the hearing.
Dated: [DATE]
[ATTORNEY NAME]
[Law Firm]
Attorneys for [PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT]
2. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
2.1 Introduction
[Concise one-paragraph overview of the case, relief sought, and why summary judgment is appropriate.]
2.2 Procedural Background
- Complaint filed: [DATE].
- Answer filed: [DATE].
- Discovery completed: [DATE].
- Trial set: [DATE].
[// GUIDANCE: Include relevant motion practice history and any prior summary adjudication rulings.]
2.3 Legal Standard
Under Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 437c(a)–(p) (West 2023), summary judgment shall be granted when “all the papers submitted show that there is no triable issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” A defendant meets its burden by showing that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established or that an affirmative defense bars recovery. Id. § 437c(p)(2).
The moving papers must include a SSUMF in compliance with Cal. R. Ct. 3.1350(d) and (h). Supporting evidence may consist of declarations, deposition excerpts, discovery responses, admissions, and matters subject to judicial notice. See Cal. R. Ct. 3.1350(a), (b).
2.4 Undisputed Material Facts
For ease of reference, the SSUMF filed concurrently herewith identifies each material fact, cites the supporting evidence, and demonstrates the absence of any genuine dispute.
2.5 Argument
2.5.1 First Cause of Action – [NAME]
(1) Undisputed material facts establish each element of [PARTY]’s claim/defense.
(2) Alternatively, plaintiff cannot establish [element] because [reason].
(3) Therefore, defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
[// GUIDANCE: Repeat sub-sections for each cause of action or affirmative defense. Structure argument to track SSUMF numbering for judicial efficiency.]
2.5.2 Second Cause of Action – [NAME]
[Legal analysis with pinpoint reference to SSUMF ¶¶ __ and evidence Exhibit __.]
2.6 Conclusion
Because no triable issue of material fact exists and the law entitles Movant to judgment, the Court should grant summary judgment in favor of [PARTY], or alternatively, summary adjudication of the issues identified above.
3. SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS
(Cal. R. Ct. 3.1350(d))
| No. | UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACT | SUPPORTING EVIDENCE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Fact #1] | Declaration of [Name] ¶ __, Ex. A (“Contract”) |
| 2 | [Fact #2] | Depo. Tr. of [Name] at pp. –, Ex. B |
| … | … | … |
[// GUIDANCE: Number each fact consecutively; avoid argument; cite exact page/line of exhibit.]
4. DECLARATION OF [DECLARANT NAME]
I, [DECLARANT NAME], declare:
- I am [title/relationship to party]. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated herein and could competently testify thereto if called.
- On [DATE], I [signed/executed/received] [relevant document]. A true and correct copy is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
- [Additional foundational facts establishing authentication, relevance, and admissibility.]
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], California.
[DECLARANT NAME]
[// GUIDANCE: Create separate declarations for each witness or custodian of records.]
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING [PARTY]’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
The Motion for Summary Judgment (or, in the alternative, Summary Adjudication) filed by [PARTY] came on regularly for hearing on [DATE], the Honorable [JUDGE NAME] presiding. Having considered the papers submitted and good cause appearing:
IT IS ORDERED that:
- [PARTY]’s Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED in its entirety.
OR
1(a). Summary Adjudication is GRANTED as to the following issues: [specify]. - Judgment shall be entered in favor of [PARTY] and against [OPPOSING PARTY].
- [PARTY] shall recover its costs of suit in an amount to be determined.
DATED: __
HON. [JUDGE NAME]
Judge of the Superior Court
6. PROOF OF SERVICE
(C.C.P. §§ 1013, 1013a; Cal. R. Ct. 2.251(c))
I am employed in the County of [COUNTY], State of California. I am over the age of 18 and not a party to this action. My business address is [ADDRESS].
On [DATE], I served the foregoing document(s) described as:
• [PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT]’S NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, ETC.
on the interested parties in this action by:
[ ] E-MAIL / ELECTRONIC SERVICE
[ ] OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
[ ] FIRST-CLASS MAIL
[ ] PERSONAL SERVICE
[to] [NAME & ADDRESS OF RECIPIENT(S)]
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], California.
[NAME OF DECLARANT]
KEY CALIFORNIA SUMMARY JUDGMENT REQUIREMENTS
-
Timing
• Motion served at least 75 days before hearing (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 437c(a)).
• Opposition due 14 days before hearing; reply due 5 days before hearing (Id. § 437c(b)(2)).
[// GUIDANCE: Add 5 court-day extension if served by overnight delivery; 2 court-day extension for electronic service.] -
Page Limits
• Memorandum of Points & Authorities: 25 pages max (Cal. R. Ct. 3.1113(d)).
• Separate Statement: No page limit but must comply with formatting of Rule 3.1350(d). -
Evidentiary Rules
• Declarations must set out facts admissible in evidence (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 2015.5).
• Documents must be properly authenticated (Evid. Code §§ 1400–1402).
• Judicial notice requests must comply with Evid. Code §§ 452, 453. -
Chambers Copies / Electronic Bookmarking
[// GUIDANCE: Confirm local court requirements for courtesy copies and bookmarking of PDFs.]
FINAL DRAFTING NOTES
[// GUIDANCE:
• Insert precise cause-of-action analysis and tailor SSUMF to match pleading allegations.
• Double-check local rules for specific formatting (e.g., font size, line spacing, tabs).
• Verify hearing reservation, e-filing, and courtesy-copy rules unique to the venue (e.g., LASC, S.F. Superior).
• Update citations and statutory references before filing to ensure no amendments have taken effect.]
This template is intentionally comprehensive yet modular. Attorneys should customize factual content, evidentiary citations, and local rule references before filing.