Asbestos/CEQA Department

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 4:00 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:

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

Hearings in Asbestos Department

9:00 a.m. Law & Motion and Discovery Hearings – on Tuesdays. Counsel and parties may appear in Department 304 in person or by videoconference using Zoom (see the Asbestos Zoom Link below).
9:00 a.m. Order to Show Cause Conference – on the 1^st Thursday of the month. Counsel and parties may appear in Department 304 in person or by videoconference using Zoom (see the Asbestos Zoom Link below).
11:00 a.m. Ex Parte Hearings – on Tuesdays. Parties must appear via CourtCall. Parties appearing via CourtCall must contact CourtCall at 1-888-88-COURT in advance to schedule an appearance. Note: Please request with CourtCall to be heard on the Asbestos - Room 345 Ex Parte' Hearing calendar.
11:15 a.m. Master Calendar Jury – on Mondays. In-person appearances are required in Department 206 (If Monday is a holiday, then the calendar will be heard on Tuesday.)
4:00 p.m. Case Management Conference Hearings – Counsel and parties may appear in Department 304 in person or by videoconference using Zoom (see the Asbestos Zoom Link below).
1:30 p.m. Trial Setting Conference Hearings – on the 3rd Thursday of every other month (bimonthly), effective February 2025. Counsel and parties may appear in Department 304 in person or by videoconference using Zoom (see the Asbestos Zoom Link below).
3:30 p.m. Minor’s Compromise – on Tuesdays. In-person appearances are required in Department 304. Please contact the Asbestos Clerk at 415-551-3703 for a date.
3:30 p.m. Apportionment – on Tuesdays. Counsel and parties may appear in Department 304 in person or by videoconference using Zoom (see the Asbestos Zoom Link below). Please contact the Asbestos Clerk at 415-551-3703 for a date.
3:30 p.m. Default Prove-up Hearings – on Tuesdays. Counsel and parties may appear in Department 304 in person or by videoconference using Zoom (see the Asbestos Zoom Link below). Please contact the Asbestos Clerk at 415-551-3703 for a date.
Informal Discovery Conference – In-person only. Please contact the Asbestos Clerk at 415-551-3703 for a date.

Counsel and parties may appear by videoconference, and the public may view and/or listen to hearings, by clicking on the link below:

Department 304 Asbestos Zoom Link

Passcode: 485029

Alternatively, the hearings are accessible by telephone, by calling +1 669 254 5252 and entering the following meeting ID and password:

Meeting ID: 160 757 8308

Passcode: 485029

Discovery:

Asbestos discovery motions are heard Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m. in department 304. Prior to filing a discovery motion you must contact the court’s lead clerk to make a reservation. To schedule an informal discovery meeting or to reserve a motion hearing date, please call (415) 551-3703. 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 at 9:00 a.m. in department 304. 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 at 11:00 a.m. by CourtCall Only. No reservation is needed. Parties appearing via CourtCall must provide proper notice, with courtesy copies submitted to the court prior to the hearing pursuant to Local Rule 2.7. Note: Please request with CourtCall to be heard on the Asbestos - Room 345 Ex Parte Hearing calendar.

Settlement Conference:

Mandatory settlement conferences are coordinated by the Court's ADR Coordinator.

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) 551-3705.

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) 551-3703.

Trial Setting Conference:

Bimonthly, Third Thursday of every other month at 1:30 p.m. in Department 304. For questions regarding a trial setting conference calendar, please call (415) 551-3703 or (415)551-3705 (Department 206 Courtroom Clerk).

Judicial Branch of California