Civil

Notices

• 10/7/2020 - Clerk's Notice Re Unlawful Detainer Filing

Civil Calendar Information

Click here for Civil calendar information

Calendar dates, other than settlement conference and trial dates, will be obtained by filing the moving papers. Settlement conference dates are assigned when cases are set for trial.

Public Access and Research Information

Access Information:

The Court does not provide case information via the Internet. On-site public access information terminals are available for researching cases at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse.

Copy Information:

• Cost for Copies: $0.50 per page
• Certification Fee: $40.00 per document in addition to the copy fee.
• Exemplification of Copy of Record: $50.00 in addition to the copying and comparing fee of $0.50 per page.
• Ten copies or less will be made while you wait. If you request more than 10 copies, you will be asked to complete a Copy Order form. Copies will be available for pick up 2 to 5 days later.
• Copies may be requested by mail. If you would like copies mailed to you, there is a minimum fee of $2.25 to cover postage and handling in addition to the copying fee of $0.50 per page.

Fee Schedule

Need Copies Of Civil Records?

Request for Records Search and/or Copies Form

Civil Ex Parte Matters

All civil ex parte applications are reviewed in the assigned department as indicated on the calendars - View Civil Division Calendar Assignments

Unlawful Detainer Ex Parte matters are reviewed Monday through Friday. Documents are to be submitted through eFile if submitted by an attorney or if submitted by a party without an attorney at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, California no later than 8:30 am. Documents will be returned via eFile or will be ready for pick-up after 2:30 pm. Documents submitted after 8:30 am will be ready for pick-up the following court day after 2:30 pm. This is for emergency orders only. Routine matters will not be addressed.

CHANGE TO CIVIL EX PARTE REVIEW PROCEDURE

Effective immediately and until further notice, Ex Parte Applications in civil actions assigned to Courtrooms 16, 17, 18 and 19 shall be presented by eFile if submitted by an attorney or if submitted by a party without an attorney to the Civil Clerk's Office located at the Civil and Family Law Courthouse, 3055 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403, no later than 10:30 a.m. on the assigned judge's ex parte review day.

The Civil Judges review Ex Partes for matters assigned to their courtrooms on the following days:

• Monday: Courtroom 19, Judge Pardo
• Tuesday: Courtroom 17, Judge Gaskell
• Wednesday: Courtroom 16, Judge Broderick
• Thursday: Courtroom 18, Judge English
  Judge Kenneth G. English Campaign Contribution Disclosure

The Ex Parte fee of $60 and any first appearance or other fees due shall be included at the time of submission of the Ex Parte application and all Ex Parte paperwork must comply with California Rules of Court, rules 3,1200-3.1207.

There are no appearances/hearings for Ex Parte applications. All Ex Parte Applications and pleadings are reviewed in chambers by the assigned Judicial Officer. 

Courtesy copies of any Ex Parte paperwork will not be accepted at any court facility by email or by fax.

Copies of Orders following Ex Parte review will be returned by eFile, by email, or by fax after 2:30 p.m. on the same day. It is the responsibility of the applicant to serve a copy of the Order on the Ex Parte Application on all parties once the Judge has ruled.

Submitting a proposed order in word processing format under Ca. Rules of Court. rule 3.1312(c)(2) and Local Rule 17.26

When required, proposed orders in word processing format should be emailed directly to the department using the following email address: ProposedCivilOrders@sonomacourt.org. Please note the case number in the subject line of your email. Note that this email is only for proposed orders in word processing format pursuant to Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1312(c)(2) and Local Rule 17.26. All other emails sent to these addresses will not be read and will be deleted.

Gun Violence Restraining Order Information

There are many different types of restraining orders.  A Gun Violence Restraining Order can prohibit someone from having, owning, or buying any firearms (guns), firearm parts, ammunition, or magazines.  To learn more about what a Gun Violence Restraining Order is and how to request one click this link.

Local Forms Packet

You can find all of the forms needed to request a Gun Violence Restraining Order here.

Guide and File

Guide & File will ask you a series of interview questions that will fill out forms for you online.  You can then choose to print the forms for filing or you can electronically file your documents with the court using e-File.  Click this link to get started with an interview for a Petition for Gun Violence Restraining Order.

Civil Programs

Discovery and Demurrer Facilitator Programs

It shall be the policy of the Sonoma County Superior Court to encourage use of court managed programs to assist with any discovery dispute or any demurrer that is filed with respect to any pleading in a civil case.

In accordance with Local Rule 4.14 (E) and 4.17 (E) respectively, the moving party shall contact opposing party (ies) and make a reasonable and good faith attempt to informally select a discovery/demurrer facilitator from the list of potential discovery facilitators maintained by the Sonoma County Superior Court.

Click here for full list of potential facilitators for the above mentioned programs.

Civil Settlement Conference Program

The Sonoma County Superior Court has implemented a Mandatory Settlement Conference Program ("MSCP"), which relies on the voluntary assistance of the local bar. The court asks attorneys who have been in practice for at least 10 years to volunteer their time as panelists for the settlement conferences, typically 2 or 3 times a year.

If you are interested in being considered to sit as a Civil Mandatory Settlement Conference panelist, please complete the Application for Civil Mandatory Settlement Conference Panelist

The ORIGINAL Civil Settlement Conference Statement shall be delivered directly to the panelist, no later than five (5) court days prior to the conference. Copies of Settlement Conference Statements will no longer be required. The Court will not provide the statements to the panelist(s). Failure to comply with this directive may result in monetary sanctions being imposed.

The parties shall notify the appropriate Settlement Conference Coordinator AND the panelist(s) of a pre-conference settlement. Failure to comply may result in monetary sanctions being imposed.

The court strongly encourages you to establish email contact with your assigned settlement conference panelist(s), for use in providing briefs, confirming attendance, and notification to panelists of pre-conference settlement, before panelists make an unnecessary appearance at court.

Sarah Helstrom is the Coordinator for Settlement Conferences. For questions please email, msc@sonomacourt.org 

Civil Mediation Program 

The Sonoma County Superior Court has implemented a Civil Mediation Program in accordance with Judicial Council, which relies on the retired visiting judges to conduct mediation in cases. Cases selected to participate in this program are at the assigned judge's own discretion and by referral. 

What is the role of the Mediator?

The mediator is an impartial neutral intermediary whose role is to help the participants reach a settlement. The mediator will not impose a settlement but will assist the parties in exploring settlement options. The mediator does not communicate with the Court except to file an ADR Outcome Report or seek sanctions for failure to comply with mediation regulations and rules.

What is mediation?

Mediation is an informal, confidential, flexible, and non-binding process in which an impartial person called a “mediator” helps the parties to understand the interests of everyone involved, and their practical and legal choices. The mediator helps the parties to:

• Communicate more effectively.
• Analyze their risks and opportunities in litigation
• Explore legal and practical settlement options, and
• Reach an acceptable solution to the dispute.

The mediator does not decide the dispute but helps the parties communicate so they can try to settle the dispute themselves. Mediation leaves control of the outcome with the parties.

Further overview and information on the program can be found here.

Lauren Angel is the Coordinator for the Civil Mediation Program. For questions please email, cmpcoordinator@sonomacourt.org 

Tentative Rulings

For Civil Tentative Ruling Recordings:

• Law and Motion (707) 521-6606
  Tentative rulings are available after 2:00 p.m. the day prior to scheduled hearing.
• Case Management Calendar (707) 521-6606
  Tentative rulings are available three court days prior to hearing.
• OSC Calendar (707) 521-6606
  Tentative rulings are available two court days prior to hearing.