Memo - Designation of Complex Cases
DATE: August 8, 2012
The Court wishes to inform you that effective immediately, the San Luis
Obispo County Superior Court will begin reviewing all civil case files for the
purpose of identifying those cases that should be designated as a “complex case”.
Complex cases must be designated by the plaintiff or defendant or jointly on the
Civil Case Cover Sheet as provided by California Rules of Court, Rule 3.401-3.402. The Court is audited by the state for case types and procedures that affect
the budget of the court and the allocation of judicial resources. In these tight
budgetary times, our Court finds it necessary to more strictly enforce the Rules of
Court regarding case types.
Each judge to whom civil cases are assigned shall determine (with or
without a hearing) whether or not the case should be designated as complex
pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.403. If the matter is designated as
complex, and if all parties have not yet paid the complex case fee required by
Government Code §26826.4, the Court shall order payment of that fee.
The Court will make every effort to determine whether a case is complex as
soon as feasible after a case is filed. The judge assigned to the case has the
continuing power, pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.403(b), to decide
on its own motion or on noticed motion of any party, that a civil action is a
complex case or that an action previously declared to be a complex case is not a
complex case.
The Court would appreciate the cooperation and assistance of the lawyers
appearing before us in properly designating complexcases.
Use of Court Reporters in Civil Matters
November 1, 2011
Use of Court Reporters in Civil Law Matters Due to inadequate funding caused by budget cutbacks, the Court regrets that it will no longer be able to provide court reporters in civil law matters. If you wish to have a matter reported, please make advance arrangements with any licensed reporter or reporting firm. The Court maintains a list of local reporters with court experience that is available upon request. This new policy will go into effect on Monday,
November 14, 2011.
San Luis Obispo County Furloughs
September 26, 2011
Summary of Court Services Affected by Staff Furloughs
Beginning October 7, 2011
Responding to the deepening statewide financial crisis, the San Luis
Obispo Superior Court regrets to announce that it will substantially reduce its
operations and furlough employees every Friday, beginning October 7,
2011 until further notice. However, all courthouses will be open to provide
essential services for the public.
-
Please visit the Court’s Web site, www.slocourts.net, to handle traffic tickets, to make inquiries regarding jury service, to perform other transactions or to obtain more detailed information about the impacts to court operations.
-
A limited number of courtrooms will be available to handle statutorily mandated hearings and criminal matters, including domestic violence, elder abuse and civil harassment restraining orders involving stalking and/or threats of domestic violence.
-
Lines on Fridays are expected to be long; clerk’s offices will be open with limited services. Telephone inquiries will not be available on Fridays.
-
Attorney windows will be closed on Fridays.
Suspension of Grover Beach Operations
September 26, 2011
Closure of Grover Beach Branch
Beginning January 3, 2012
The Court regrets to announce that it will suspend operations at the Grover Beach Courthouse beginning January 3, 2012, due to unprecedented reductions in funding of the judicial branch. San Luis Obispo County Superior Court alone faces over a $1 million shortfall.
The Court recognizes that this decision will greatly inconvenience County residents during 2012. Court leaders hope that the suspension of operations is temporary and promise to aggressively seek restoration of the recent funding cuts so as to ensure continuing access to justice for everyone.
All Grover Beach cases will be heard at the San Luis Obispo Courthouse, at 1035 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. All filings previously accepted in Grover Beach will be transferred to and handled at the Palm Street address during 2012.
Questions or comments about the changes in this notice should be submitted in writing to Susan Matherly, Court Executive Officer, 1035 Palm Street, Room 385, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.
EZLegalFile to be Discontinued
Effective June 30, 2011, EZLegalFile will discontinue operations and go offline.
Please make every effort to complete and print your California court forms prior to this date. If you have previously completed forms that you wish to save, please print them for your records as this information will no longer be available for your use.
It has been our pleasure to provide the California public and the California Superior Courts with this award-winning service over the past ten years. Regrettably, ongoing reductions in court funding has necessitated that we discontinue this service. We would like to thank you for your past support in using the EZLegalFile service.
Notice To Forensic Evaluators
June 6, 2011 (updated from June 3 notice)
Compensation Rate Increase
Effective June 3, 2011, the flat fee rate for Penal Code Section 1026 and 1027 evaluations has been changed from a $300 flat rate to a $500 flat rate.
All orders for evaluations made prior to May 18, 2011 and billed before June 3, 2011 shall remain payable at the $300 flat fee rate. All orders for evaluation made after May 18, 2011 and billed after June 3, 2011 shall be paid $500 flat fee.
For further information, call (805) 781-5421.
Identity Theft Scam Alert
The San Luis Obispo Superior Court has become aware of telephone scams by identity thieves targeting members of the public. Identity thieves call, claiming to be court employees in need of personal information for jury service.
Similar scams have been reported recently in other California counties as well as other states. (See more details of a similar scam at the Los Angeles Superior Court.)
We urge all members of the public to be aware of such scams and be careful whenever you reveal confidential information over the telephone.
Our Policy
The San Luis Obispo Superior Court does not – and will not – telephone jurors or potential jurors to ask for personal financial information.
What To Do
The Court suggests that you hang up on any caller who claims to be a court employee seeking your financial information.
Printer-friendly version