CACB — TCG Supplement 5005-2(d): Serving a Judge's Copy

Source: https://www.cacb.uscourts.gov/sites/cacb/files/documents/the-central-guide/TCGSupp5005-2%28d%29_Serving-a-Judges-Copy.pdf

The Central Guide Supplement to LBR 5005-2(d)

Serving a Judge’s Copy of Documents

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

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The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

1.0 What is a Judge’s Copy? [LBR 5005-2(d)] 1.1 General Rule. Local Bankruptcy Rule 5005-2(d) requires that a copy of every document filed must be served on the judge who presides over the bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding.

1.2 Assembling a Judge’s Copy. A judge’s copy must comply with ALL of
the following:

(a) One Copy. Do not send multiples copies of the same document.

(b) Stapled or Bound. Judge’s copies must be stapled or securely
bound, so that all pages are bound together. The clerk’s office will
not be scanning a judge’s copy.

(c) Tabs for All Exhibits and Declarations. Insert a separate tab to
identify each declaration and each separate authenticated exhibit.
The goal is for the court to be able to quickly and easily reference all
of the information you want the court to read.

(d) Document has already been filed.

(1) Notice of Electronic Filing. If the document was filed
electronically via CM/ECF, the NEF must be attached to either
the front or back of the judge’s copy.

(2) Filed Stamp on First Page. If the document was filed at the
intake window, the judge’s copy must have a “Filed” stamp at
the top right of the first page of the document.

(e) Notice of Electronic Filing. Attach the NEF to the back or to the
front of the judge’s copy. The goal is to show the court that the
document has been filed electronically.

(f) Sent Directly to the Judge. Deliver the judge’s copy to the address
in the chart in section 4.0 below. Do not send a judge’s copy to the
clerk’s office.

(g) Sent Promptly. Promptly deliver the judge’s copy according to the
deadlines in the chart in section 4.0 below. The goal is to promptly
get your document to the court so that your request can be acted
upon in a timely manner.

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

2.0 Which Filed Documents Require a Judge’s Copy? 2.1 Serve a Judge’s Copy. The following types of documents must be served upon the judge as these are documents that will assist the judge in making a ruling or entering an order. Examples are:

(a) Documents to Request a Hearing.

(1) LBR 9075-1(b). Any document filed seeking a hearing set on
an emergency or shortened notice basis.
[See LBR forms F 9075-1.1.APP.SHORT.NOTICE and
F 9075-1.1.ORDER.SHORT.NOTICE.]

(2) LBR 9013-1(o)(4). Any response requesting a hearing on a
motion, application or notice that was filed using the
“Opportunity to Request a Hearing” procedure.
[See LBR form F 9013-1.3.OPPOSITION.REQ.HEARING.]

(b) Documents Related to a Hearing on Calendar. Any motion,
response, reply, declaration, exhibits or stipulation that affects or
resolves a matter on which a hearing has already been scheduled.

(c) Documents to Request a Ruling Without a Hearing.

(1) LBR 9037-1(a). Motion for Protective Order to Restrict
Access to Filed Documents Containing Personal Data
Identifiers.
[See LBR form F 9037-1.1.MOTION.RESTRICT.PERS.ID.]

(2) LBR 3015-1(q)(2). Debtor’s Notice of Conversion of
Bankruptcy Case from Chapter 13 to 7.
[See LBR form F 3015-1.21.NOTICE.CONVERT.CH13.]

(3) LBR 3015-1(o). Declaration Re: Entry of Order Without
Hearing Pursuant to LBR 9013-1(o).
[See LBR form F 9013-1.2.NO.HEARING.DEC.]

(4) LBR 4001-1(h). Debtor’s Application for Order Confirming
that Loan Modification Discussion Will Not Violate Stay.
[See LBR form F 4001-1.6.DEBTOR.APP.LOAN.MOD.]

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

(5) LBR 5010-1. Any motion to reopen a bankruptcy case or adversary proceeding. When this involves extending time to file debtor’s certification of completion of financial management course. [See LBR form F 5010-1.1.MOTION.REOPEN.CERT.]

(6) LBR 9013-1(m). Motion to request continuance of a hearing.

(7) LBR 9013-1(o)(3). Declaration of service of motion and lack
of opposition and request for hearing. The motion or
application to be ruled upon must be attached as an exhibit.
[See LBR form F 9013-1.2.NO.HEARING.DEC.]

(8) LBR 9013-1(p). Motion, with supporting documents, to be
ruled upon without a hearing under LBR 9013-1(p).

(9) LBR 9013-1(q). Motion, with supporting documents, to be
ruled upon without a hearing under LBR 9013-1(q).

(d) Documents to Commence or Resolve an Adversary Proceeding.
Any documents filed in an adversary proceeding, including the
complaint, summons, responsive pleadings, status reports, pretrial
stipulation, trial documents, stipulated judgments, etc.

(e) Notice of Lodgment of Proposed Order or Judgment. These
documents are filed when the proposed order or judgment relates to
a motion or other request for relief that was opposed, or the parties
stipulated to the terms of the order or judgment. [See LBR 9021-1(b)
and Court Manual section 4.2. For bankruptcy cases, see LBR form
F 9021-1.2.BK.NOTICE.LODGMENT, and for adversary
proceedings, F 9021-1.2.ADV.NOTICE.LODGMENT.]

(f) Chapter 11 Case Commencement Documents. Many judges
need a judge’s copy. Refer to the court’s website to see if your judge
does.

(g) Other United States trustee documents ONLY NEEDED by
certain judges. These are documents such as interim statements
and operating reports. Check the judge’s section of the court’s
website to verify.

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

2.2 Don’t Serve a Judge’s Copy. The following filed documents do not need to be served upon a judge, mainly because these documents do not assist a judge in making a ruling or entering an order. This is not an exhaustive list. Instead it is a list of documents that are often mistakenly served on the judge. The best practice is to see if a document is listed in the “Serve a judge’s copy” section above, or see if the judge’s section of the court’s website indicates that it is needed. If you don’t see your document identified in either of these locations, don’t send it to the judge.

(a) Case Commencement Documents - Chapter 7, 12, and 13

(1) Case commencement documents for voluntary chapter 7, 12
and 13 cases, including amended case commencement
documents.

(b) Proofs of Claim. Proofs of claim filed in any bankruptcy case are
not needed, regardless of chapter.

(c) Non-hearing Motion When the Response Deadline Has Not
Passed. Please wait until the response deadline has passed without
any response or request for a hearing. THEN, file the declaration of
service and non-response or request for a hearing, attach the motion
as an exhibit and service this as a judge’s copy.

(1) Chapter 13. Motions/applications filed under LBR 3015-1(w).

(2) Other Non-hearing Motions/Applications. This includes
any motion/application filed under LBR 9013-1(o), or any
motion/application which, under Local Bankruptcy Rules may
be filed with a similar notice and opportunity procedure.

(d) Documents Intended Only for the United States Trustee. A
judge’s copy is generally not needed of interim statements and
operating reports required by the United States trustee in chapter 11
cases per LBR 2015-2(c). Check the judge’s section of the court’s
website to see if these are needed.

(e) Lodged Orders Upload or LOU Receipts. As judges are being
served with a Notice of Lodgment (NOL) when one is filed, you do
not need to provide the judge with an additional copy of an order at
the time it is uploaded through LOU or with a copy of the associated
upload receipt.

(f) Local Forms, National Forms and Other Forms. A judge’s copy
is not needed of the following Local Bankruptcy Rules Forms,
National Forms and Other Forms:

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

LOCAL BANKRUPTCY RULES (LBR) FORMS F 2091-1.SUBSTITUTION.ATTY Substitution of Attorney Notice of Transfer of Claim Pursuant F 3001-1.NOTICE.TRANSFER.CLAIM to FRBP 3001(e) Notice of Trustee’s/Debtor’s F 3007-1.2.NOTICE.REQ.CLAIM Request for a Copy of Proof of Claim Rights and Responsibilities F 3015-1.7.RARA Agreement Between Chapter 13 Debtors and Their Attorneys

NATIONAL FORMS
Certification About a Financial Official Form 423 Management Course

OTHER FORMS
Abstract of Judgment
Certification of Judgment for Registration in Another District
Change of Address
Notice of Continuance of §341(a) Meeting of Creditors
Request for Special Notice
Writ of Execution

3.0 Proof of Service of Judge’s Copy of Documents [LBR 5005-2(d)] 3.1 The Proof of Service of Document must indicate the date and manner in which the judge was served, and must be on Local Bankruptcy Rules (LBR) form F 9013-3.1.PROOF.SERVICE unless the Proof of Service of Document has been included in the LBR form being used.

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

3.2 Judge’s name on Proof of Service.

Should I Put the Judge’s Name on the Proof of Service?

YES - Use mandatory LBR Form F 9013-3.1.PROOF.SERVICE

unless the “Proof of Service of Document” has been included in the LBR form being filed.

The judge will be in either: * Category 2. “Served by United States mail” or * Category 3. “Served by Personal Delivery or Overnight Mail”

4.0 Deadline, Method, and Address to Serve the Judge

Consult the following charts to determine the deadline, the method, and address
to serve the judge.

4.1 Deadline and Method

What is the Deadline for Serving the Judge’s Copy?
What Methods Can I Use to Serve the Judge?

If the document relates to a If the document relates to a hearing,

hearing, and the hearing is and the hearing is fewer than 14 days 14 days or more after the document after the document is filed: is filed: The document must be served on the The document must be served on the judge no later than 24 hours after the judge no later than 24 hours after the document is filed, by personal delivery or document is filed, by personal overnight mail. delivery, overnight mail, or United States mail. In no event shall the document arrive in chambers later than 2 court days prior to the hearing. If the document is NOT related to a hearing

The document must be served on the judge no later than 24 hours after the document is filed, by personal delivery, overnight mail or United States mail.

If the document is filed pursuant to LBR 9075-1

The document must be served on the judge by personal delivery or overnight mail as soon as is practicable, but no later than 24 hours after the document is filed.

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026

4.2 Judge’s Address

At What Address do I Deliver the Judge's Copy?
Suite# for
Division & Mailing Regular or Judge Name Location for Personal Delivery Address Overnight
Mail
Neil W. Bason 1552 Bin outside of Suite 1552
Sheri Bluebond 1534 Bin outside of Suite 1534

LOS ANGELES DIVISION Julia W. Brand 1382 Bin outside of Suite 1382 U.S. Bankruptcy Court Sandra R. Klein 1582 Bin outside of Suite 1582 Roybal Federal Building Robert N. Kwan 1682 Bin outside of Suite 1682255 E. Temple Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 Barry Russell 1660 Bin outside of Suite 1660 Deborah J. Saltzman 1634 Bin outside of Suite 1634 Vincent P. Zurzolo 1360 Bin outside of Suite 1360 Use Judge Clarkson’s Santa Ana Division Scott C. Clarkson address RIVERSIDE DIVISION Edward K. Bernatavicius 384 Bin outside of Courtroom 304 U.S. Bankruptcy Court 3420 Twelfth Street Misty Perry Isaacson 365 Bin outside of Courtroom 303 Riverside, CA 92501 Magdalena Reyes Bordeaux 325 Bin outside of Courtroom 301 Scott H. Yun 345 Bin outside of Courtroom 302 Bins for each judge by 5th floor Scott C. Clarkson 5130SANTA ANA DIVISION elevators U.S. Bankruptcy Court Ronald Reagan Federal Bins for each judge by 6th floor Mark D. Houle 6135Building elevators 411 W. Fourth Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 Bins for each judge by 5th floor Erithe A. Smith 5040 elevators

SAN FERNANDO Martin R. Barash 342 VALLEY DIVISION Bins on 1st floor outside entry to theU.S. Bankruptcy Court Victoria S. Kaufman 354 Intake Section21041 Burbank Blvd Woodland Hills, CA 91367 Geraldine Mund 313

Ronald A. Clifford III 233 Intake Lobby Window #1 NORTHERN DIVISION Use Judge Saltzman’s Los Angeles DivisionU.S. Bankruptcy Court Deborah J. Saltzman address1415 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Use Judge Barash’s San Fernando Valley Martin R Barash Division address

The Central Guide Supplement 5005-2(d) August 2026