Honorable Jacqueline M. Stern, Presiding

Department Courtroom Staff:

Court Clerk:	Michael Garland	(760) 201-8027
Calendar Clerk:	Josie Castillo	(760) 201-8704
Research Attorney:	Marie Curtis
Bailiff:	Mark Ritchie

Conformity with Local Rules:  Unless otherwise indicated herein, Department 27 strictly adheres to the San Diego Superior Court Local Rules, Division II.

Case Management Conferences:  Case Management Conferences are heard Friday mornings at the noticed time.  Counsel shall file a Case Management Statement pursuant to California Rules of Court ("CRC"), rule 3.725.  Attorneys/parties must be familiar with and comply with CRC 3.724 and Local Rule 2.1.9.  Continued Case Management Conferences do not require a new statement unless directed by the Court.

Continuances:  Continuance request to continue Case Management Conferences may be continued 1-2 weeks by stipulation and proposed order. The Court will review the Stipulation and Proposed Order and if necessary will call the parties to schedule an ex parte hearing. Requests to continue Trials, Trial Readiness Conferences and motion cut-off dates must be made by a scheduled ex parte appearance.

Default Prove-up Hearings:  Default Prove-up Hearings are heard on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and must be reserved by calling the Calendar Clerk.

Ex Parte Matters:  Ex parte appearances are by reservation only with the Calendar Clerk and are held on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Ex parte papers are due no later than 11:00 a.m. the business day prior to the scheduled ex parte appearance.

Law and Motion Matters:  Motions are heard on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. by reservation only.  A tentative ruling will be posted on the San Diego Superior Court website (www.sdcourt.ca.gov) no later than 4:00 p.m. the Court day before the hearing date.   Motions are heard in accordance with CRC, rule 3.1308(a)(2).  Motions to compel will be calendared without requiring an ex parte hearing, although Judge Stern recommends an ex parte meet and confer be scheduled prior to the motion date.

Minor's Compromises:  Minor's compromises are heard on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. by reservation only. The guardian and minor must be present. Minor's compromise papers must be submitted no later than noon the business day prior to the scheduled hearing. There is no fee for a minor's compromise hearing.

Settlement Conferences:  See Local Rules 2.2.1-2.2.4 for specific information. Settlement briefs are to be submitted to the settlement judge at least five court days prior to the hearing. Settlement Conferences are usually calendared on Friday mornings or afternoons with general trial judges in the North County Courthouse Complex.

Telephonic Appearances:  Telephonic appearances are pursuant to CRC 3.670 and requesting parties must be familiar with all of the provisions of this rule.  CourtCall® is the designated provider of teleconferencing services for court appearances for the San Diego Superior Court.  Call (888) 882-6878 for details or click here for further information.

Personal Appearances Required:

• Trials and hearings where witnesses are expected to testify
• Hearings on Temporary Restraining Orders
• Trial Readiness Conferences
• Trial Call
• Hearings on motions in limine
• Persons ordered to appear to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed for violation
   of a court order or rule
• As determined by the Court

Trials:  This department is normally in session for trials Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Although trial will not be in session on Fridays, the jury may be required to deliberate on Fridays.

Jury Fees:  Payment is due before the start of the next trial day, CCP 631(c).  Failure to pay the fee then is technically a waiver of a jury trial.

Trial Calls: Trial calls are at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays.  On the first day of trial, counsel/parties must provide to the Court:

1. Joint Witness List with a short sentence describing the witness (i.e. "Dr. Joe Smith, an internist from Mercy Hospital");
2. Joint Exhibit List (follow grid format on attachment to the Advance Trial Review Orders);
3. Joint Statement of the Case;
4. Jury Instructions - in sequential order with a post-it note indicating who objects to the instruction;
5. Special Verdict Form - either an agreed upon form or each side’s proposed form.  The form should follow CACI as closely as possible and include all cause of actions and all parties.  It should be complete and on pleading paper without the firm name.

Trial Readiness Conferences:  Trial counsel/parties representing themselves must be personally present; special appearances and telephonic appearances are not allowed. Trial readiness conferences are heard at 10:00 a.m. on Fridays or as designated by the Court. A complete joint trial readiness conference report must be filed at this hearing.