Honorable Virginia A Phillips

1. Are tentative rulings issued?
   Tentative rulings on civil motions are distributed in Court before the hearing.
2. Deadlines for submission of sentencing memoranda:
   Sentencing memoranda and any objections to the U.S. Probation Office's Pre-Sentence Memorandum must be filed and served on the U.S. Probation Office no later than 21 days before the date set for sentencing.
   Any responses to opposing counsel's sentencing memorandum or objections to the Pre-Sentence Report must be filed and served on the U.S. Probation Office no later than 14 days before the date set for sentencing. Failure to file and serve sentencing memoranda timely may cause the Court to vacate the sentencing date sua sponte, re-set the sentencing hearing, and impose monetary sanctions on counsel.
3. Mandatory chambers copies:
   All original filings are to be filed electronically pursuant to Local Rule 5-4. 
4. The Court requires mandatory chambers copies of the following filed documents:
   
   1. Civil matters: motions and related documents (oppositions, replies, exhibits);and, ALL PRETRIAL DOCUMENTS;
   2. Criminal matters: all motions and related documents and exhibits; plea agreement(s); and sentencing memoranda and objections to the pre-sentence report.
      Counsel shall provide such conformed mandatory chambers copies no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day following "e-filing" to Judge Phillips’s courtesy box, located outside of 4TH Floor Clerk's Office of the First Street Court House, 350 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
5. Procedures for filing an ex parte application:
   Ex parte applications are considered on the papers and are not usually set for hearing. Counsel's attention is directed to Local Rule 7-19. The moving party shall serve the opposing party by electronic mail or hand service and shall notify the opposing party that any opposition must be filed not later than 24 hours after such electronic mail or hand service. If counsel do not intend to oppose the ex parte application, counsel must inform the court clerk by telephone.
6. To request a continuance of any scheduled court proceeding:
   Continuations and special requests must be approved by the Court. Good cause must be shown. Counsel must make such requests in pleading form by filing a proper stipulation and a proposed order, at least one week in advance. Refer to Local Rules 7-1 and 7-11 for proper format.
7. Are counsel allowed to contact the judge's law clerks?
   No
8. Inquiries regarding the status of a motion, stipulation or proposed order are not available by telephone. Follow Local Rule 11.4.5.
9. Calendar conflicts:
   If counsel has a calendar conflict with any matter set for hearing on the Court's calendar, counsel should seek a stipulation from all opposing counsel to change the hearing date. If a stipulation is not forthcoming, counsel should file an ex parte application seeking to continue the hearing date. Any such ex parte should be submitted well in advance of the hearing.
10. Procedures for bringing electronic equipment into the courtroom:
    Counsel are to request, through the court clerk permission to bring in or use audio, video or electronic equipment for presentations during hearings or trials.
11. To order an audio tape or transcript:
    For general information on how to order a transcript of any reported or digitally recorded proceeding, please contact 213-894-3015 or visit the court website (www.cacd.uscourts.gov) section referring to Court Reporter/Recorder Transcripts. If you require an estimate of cost for the preparation of a transcript, contact the court reporter/recorder for the desired proceeding.
    To determine the court reporter/recorder for a particular proceeding, go to the Court Reporter Schedule web page and click on View by Date. Once you've determined the correct court reporter/recorder for the desired session, click on Court Reporter Phone and Email List for contact information.
12. Questions regarding law clerk/extern positions should be directed to chambers.
13. Trial preparation:
    See also the Court's "Civil Trial Order" for details. A copy of this order is provided to counsel at the time of the mandatory status conference.
    Trial Court hours - Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the first day of trial, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the remaining days, with a 15 minute break in the morning and afternoon, and a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
14. Procedures for obtaining the services of an interpreter on a civil case:
    Counsel in civil cases are to obtain the services of an interpreter, if one is needed.
15. UNDER SEAL FILINGS
    For Civil Cases, Counsel are ORDERED to follow the procedures outlined in L.R. 79-5.2.2.
    For Criminal Cases, please follow the below procedures.
    Request to Seal Documents (does NOT include the Sealing of an Application and Proposed Order)
    Electronically file the application to seal and/or declaration giving notice or proof of service. During the electronic filing process, attach the proposed order to the application. See Local Rule 5-4.4.1.
    Send an email to the chambers email at VAP_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov. Subject line of the email shall be in the following format:
    1. The word PILOT
    2. Court’s divisional office (ED for Riverside, LA for Los Angeles, SA for Santa Ana)
    3. Year case was filed (11,12,13,14)
    4. Case type (CR for criminal)
    5. 5 digit case number
    6. Judge’s initials, VAP, in capital letters

    (e.g., Criminal for Riverside: PILOT-ED14CR00123-VAP)
    The email shall contain PDF versions of the following:

    • Application to Seal
    • Supporting Declarations and Exhibits, if applicable
    • Proof of Service
    • All documents requested to be filed under seal

    The email shall contain a WORD.doc of the proposed order.
    Mandatory Chambers Copy: Deliver a blue-backed mandatory paper chambers copy of the documents listed above, together in one envelope, to Judge Phillips’ courtesy box, located on the 4th Floor of the Clerk's Office, 350 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
    Upon judicial determination, a PDF version of the Order will be emailed to the requestor. It is the responsibility of the submitting party to serve all parties, as appropriate.
    Request to Seal the Application, Order AND Documents
    Electronically file a NOTICE OF MANUAL FILING (Form G-92) indicating that an application to seal, declaration giving notice or a proof of service, proposed order sealing and under seal documents have been submitted to the Court. Send an email to the chambers email at VAP_chambers@cacd.uscourts.gov.
    Subject line of the email shall be in the following format:

• The word PILOT
• Court’s divisional office (ED for Riverside, LA for Los Angeles, SA for Santa Ana)
• Year case was filed (11,12,13,14)
• Case type (CR for criminal)
• 5 digit case number
• Judge’s initials, VAP, in capital letters

(e.g., Criminal for Riverside: PILOT-ED14CR00123-VAP)
The email shall contain PDF versions of the following:

• Application to Seal
• Supporting Declarations and Exhibits, if applicable
• Proof of Service
• All documents requested to be filed under seal

The email shall contain a WORD.doc of the proposed order.
Upon judicial determination, a PDF version of the Order will be emailed to the requestor. It is the responsibility of the submitting party to serve all parties, as appropriate.