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Rulings on Motions

General Information

All cases that are assigned to a civil direct calendar department receive a Notice of Assignment. Law and motion and ex parte applications in a direct calendar case are heard in the department to which the case was assigned. Law and motion and ex parte applications in unlawful detainers, are heard in Department 511. Writ cases are in Department 14, and Collection matters in Department 5.

Tentative Rulings

  • Tentative Rulings

    Find information on Tentative Rulings, Motions, Ex Parte Applications, and how to reserve a hearing date.

    Tentative Rulings

Other Important Information

In every case, to present a motion to the court, a party must:

  • reserve a hearing date with the applicable department,
  • file the motion with the court, and 
  • serve the other parties.  

A party must give notice of the hearing as required by law.  California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1005 and 1010 et seq. apply to most motions.  See below for additional requirements for unlawful detainers and other civil cases.

In every case, to present an ex parte application to the court, a party must:

  1. reserve a hearing date with the applicable department (for applications that require a hearing.)  Ex parte reservations shall be obtained from the courtroom. They cannot be obtained via the portal.
  2. file the motion with the court, and
  3. give notice of the hearing date as required by law.

California Rules of Court 3.1200 et seq. apply to ex parte applications. See below for additional requirements for unlawful detainers and other civil cases.

Civil Direct Calendar Departments

For information about a direct calendar department’s hearing dates and schedules for law and motion and ex parte applications, go to the eCourt Public Portal . You may also call or email the department.  

Evictions (Unlawful Detainers) and Other Civil Cases

Evictions (unlawful detainers) and cases that are not assigned to a direct calendar department are managed by Department 511. 

  1. Log into eCourt Public Portal
  2. Select "Court Reservations"
  3. Select "Make a Reservation"
  4. Read Calendar User Agreement and select "I Agree"
  5. Enter your Case Number and select "Submit"
  6. Complete the Required Fields
  7. Select "Continue"
  8. Select a Date/Time from the Calendar
  9. Enter Contract Information
  10. Enter Card Information
  11. Select "Submit Reservation"

A reservation number and information will be provided, and a confirmation email is sent.

Dept. 511 Law & Motion Schedule:  Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.

Dept. 511 Ex Parte Schedule: Monday and Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

  • Shorter Notice Periods May Apply. California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1167.5, 1170.7, 1170.8, and other statutes set shorter notice periods for some motions in unlawful detainer cases.

  • Applications to Stay Evictions can be filed at any court location that accepts civil filings:

  • René C. Davidson Courthouse (Oakland), and
  • Hayward Hall of Justice (Hayward).

 The court decides these applications without a hearing.

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