Los Angeles Superior Court Exhibit Requirements
LA Superior Court has the strictest exhibit requirements in California. Bates numbering is mandatory under Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53.
- LA Superior Court Local Rule 3.52 requires Bates-stamped document production with a unique identifier on each page.
- LA Superior Court Local Rule 3.53 specifies the Bates format—typically a 3-letter prefix plus 6-digit number (e.g., ABC000001) identifying the producing party.
- Los Angeles is the only California county that mandates Bates numbering as a baseline trial-exhibit requirement.
- Counsel must produce 3 complete exhibit binder sets at trial: one for the court, one for the witness stand, and one for counsel.
- LA exhibits must be exchanged 5 days before the Final Status Conference (FSC), not 5 days before trial.
- Plaintiff exhibits use yellow stickers and sequential numbers (1, 2, 3) per CRC 3.1110(c) and California convention.
- Defendant exhibits use blue stickers and sequential letters (A, B, C) per CRC 3.1110(c) and California convention.
- Exhibits without Bates numbers may be rejected at the FSC and excluded from trial under LA Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53.
Critical: Exhibits without Bates numbers will be rejected. You also need 3 complete exhibit binder sets at trial.
Prepare LA Court ExhibitsLA-Specific Requirements (Not Required Elsewhere in CA)
Bates Numbering (Mandatory)
Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53 require sequential Bates stamps on every page: ABC000001, ABC000002...
3 Exhibit Binder Sets
At trial: one for court, one for witness stand, one for counsel. Jury trials may require more.
5-Day FSC Deadline
Exchange 5 days before Final Status Conference—earlier than most CA counties.
Yellow/Blue Stickers
Plaintiff = yellow (numbers). Defendant = blue (letters). Standard CA convention.
Local Rules 3.52 & 3.53
Local Rule 3.52 - Document Production
Requires Bates-stamped production of documents. Each page must have a unique identifier. Applies to discovery productions and trial exhibits.
Local Rule 3.53 - Bates Numbering Format
Specifies Bates format requirements. Typically: 3-letter prefix + 6-digit number (ABC000001). Prefix identifies the producing party.
Trial Exhibit Preparation Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LA Superior Court require Bates numbering?
Yes. Los Angeles Superior Court Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53 require Bates numbering on all exhibits. This is unique among California counties and applies to all document productions and trial exhibits.
How many exhibit binder sets are required at LA trial?
Los Angeles Superior Court requires at least 3 complete sets of exhibit binders at trial: one for the court, one for the witness stand, and one for counsel. Additional sets may be required for jury trials.
What is the LA exhibit exchange deadline?
Exhibits must be exchanged 5 days before the Final Status Conference (FSC), not the trial date. Missing this deadline can result in exhibit exclusion.
What color stickers does LA use for exhibits?
LA follows California convention: yellow stickers for plaintiff exhibits (numbered 1, 2, 3) and blue stickers for defendant exhibits (lettered A, B, C).
Ready for LA Superior Court?
Create Bates-stamped, properly formatted exhibits that meet LA's strict Local Rules 3.52 and 3.53 requirements.
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