Asbestos / CEQA Department
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE:
In light of the current public health crisis, all attorneys are encouraged to appear telephonically. Telephone appearance must be arranged through Court Call by calling 1-888-88-COURT. No prior notice or permission is required.
Case Calendars
Search for Case Calendars by Case Type and Date. Information is available up to 120 calendar days from today.
Tentative Rulings
Official tentative ruling phone line: (415) 551-4000
The phone line is the only official posting of tentative rulings. Tentative rulings may also be viewed online by following these steps:
- Go to our Tentative Rulings page
- Select the link for your specific Tentative Ruling (You may have to pass a Captcha quiz)
- Click on "Case Number Query"
- Type in the last 6 digits of the case number and click "Submit"
- At the top of the Register of Actions page click "Calendar"
- Find the relevant Court Date and the tentative ruling will be posted under "Matter(s)"
In both Asbestos and CEQA actions, any party who wishes to contest a tentative ruling must send an e-mail to contestasbestostr@sftc.org no later than 4:30 p.m. the court day before the hearing stating, without argument, their intention to contest. The e-mail must refer to the line number, case number, short case title and the party you represent. This notification to the court is in addition to rules dictating notice to all other parties. Failure to follow this procedure may result in the court adopting its tentative ruling or continuing the hearing.
Please note that this e-mail address is strictly for contesting tentative rulings only.
Specific Information for Asbestos Actions
Asbestos actions filed in this court are dictated by San Francisco Superior Court Local Rule 20.
Local Rule 20 codifies many prior orders of the Asbestos Department, including the following:
- Complex Asbestos Litigation Case Management Order
- Updated Asbestos Authorization Forms
- Asbestos Trial Management Order
- Asbestos Cases' Court Informal Discovery Conference Order
The current Designated Defense Counsel for the Asbestos Department is:
Spanos | Przetak (formerly Berry & Berry)
555 12th Street, Suite 2060
Oakland, CA 94607
Telephone: (510) 250-0200
Fax: (510) 380-6354
https://www.spanos-przetak.com
Electronic Filing:
Pursuant to Local Rule 20, electronic filing is required in asbestos actions.
Approved E-filing vendor:
File & Serve Xpress Customer Service Line: (888) 529-7587
Court’s E-filing Support Line: (415) 551-3824 (leave a message)
Discovery:
Asbestos discovery motions are heard Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Prior to filing a discovery motion you must contact the court’s calendar clerk to make a reservation. To schedule an informal discovery meeting or to reserve a motion hearing date, please call (415) 551-3706. Provide proper notice. Courtesy copies must be provided to the court prior to the hearing pursuant to Local Rule 2.7.
Law and Motion:
Asbestos law and motion matters and motions relating to trial dates are heard Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Parties may select their own hearing date. No reservation is needed unless a court order is in place stating otherwise. Provide proper notice. Courtesy copies must be provided to the court prior to the hearing pursuant to Local Rule 2.7.
Ex Parte Hearings:
Asbestos ex parte hearings are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. No reservation is needed. Provide proper notice and bring the following to the hearing: a courtesy copy of your filed application, two copies of the proposed order and the File & Serve Xpress Transaction ID number. Please arrive early to sign in.
Settlement Conference:
Mandatory settlement conferences are set befoe Hearing Officer Pang Ly in Room 603. MSCs are set at least a week before the case's trial call.
Trial Call:
Every Monday at 11:15 a.m., unless Monday is a holiday in which case trial call is on Tuesday. For questions regarding a trial call calendar, please call (415) 551-3706.
Order to Show Cause Calendar:
Every first Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. For questions regarding an order to show cause calendar, please call (415) 551-3705.
Trial Setting Conference:
Third Thursday of every other month at 1:30 p.m. in Department 206. For questions regarding a trial setting conference calendar, please call (415) 551-3705.
Specific Information for CEQA Actions
Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco Local Rules of Court: Rule 6.11.
Electronic Filing:
Electronic filing is required in CEQA actions. Local Rule 2.11 discusses information regarding electronic filing and service, including exclusions to the electronic filing rule. The court’s E-Filing Webpage also contains useful information.
Motions:
Motions in CEQA cases are normally heard on Fridays at 9:30 a.m., subject to change based on the court’s availability. A reservation is required. To schedule a hearing for a CEQA discovery or law and motion matter, please call the court’s calendar clerk at (415) 551-3706. Courtesy copies must be provided to the court pursuant to Local Rule 6.11.
Writ Hearings:
CEQA writ hearings are held on Fridays at 9:30 a.m. and are calendared pursuant to the parties’ stipulated briefing schedule, which requires court approval. Courtesy copies must be provided to the court pursuant to Local Rule 6.11.
Ex Parte Hearings:
CEQA ex parte hearings are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. in the CEQA Department. No reservation is needed. Parties must follow all ex parte requirements set forth in CRC 3.1200 through 3.1207. Bring the following to the hearing: a courtesy copy of your filed application, two copies of the proposed order and the File & Serve Xpress Transaction ID number (unless you are excluded from the electronic filing requirements). Please arrive early to sign in.
Settlement Conference:
Per Local Rule 6.11.F, Mandatory Settlement Conferences are set before Hearing Officer Pang Ly in Room 603.