Civil Mediation & Mandatory Settlement Conferences
(How to Resolve Your Case without Going to Trial.)
Mediation is a quick, cost-effective, and less stressful way for parties to settle cases without having to go to trial. It gives parties the opportunity to resolve their disputes before committing significant time, money, and energy to a trial. Civil limited lawsuits with amounts in controversy of $50,000 or less per plaintiff, will be ordered to participate in the Court's Civil Mediation Program pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.891(a)(1). In such cases, parties must complete the Court's mediation program before proceeding to trial. Parties in unlimited civil cases may voluntarily agree to participate in the Court's Mediation Program regardless of the amount in controversy. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.891(a)(2).) For more information about participating in the Court's Mediation Program to resolve your case prior to trial, please visit:
Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program | Superior Court of California | County of Ventura
If your case is not resolved through mediation or arbitration, the court may set a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) 60 to 90 days before your trial date. (See, Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1380.) MSCs are typically set at the same time that the trial date is set but can be requested later. MSCs are conducted via Zoom. An MSC is a last opportunity to informally resolve your case before a Judge without having to go to trial.
Appearing Remotely by Zoom:
With respect to cases before Judge DeNoce in courtroom 41, you can appear remotely by Zoom for Case Management Conferences and Law & Motion matters. You cannot appear remotely for trials or evidentiary matters.
To appear remotely by Zoom, you must submit an email request to the Court by 4 p.m. the court day before your hearing to: courtroom41@ventura.courts.ca.gov, with a subject line that includes “NOTICE TO APPEAR VIA ZOOM.” Your email request must identify the name of the attorney/party who will appear by Zoom and all counsel/parties must be copied on your email request. When appearing by Zoom, you will need to mute yourself until your case is called at which point you will also have to turn on your camera. Assuming you have given advance email notice the court day before your hearing of your intent to appear by Zoom, you may enter the Courtroom 41 Zoom waiting room at 8:30 a.m. on the day of your hearing through this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81985625079?pwd=cHV2MENmWGNLSnJCMlM5Sk1xRk0vdz09
Ex Parte Requests:
An ex parte application is only for emergency relief. (Turner v. Sup. Ct. (1977) 72 Cal.App.3d 804, 809; Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1202(c).) An ex parte application requires notice to the opposing party or counsel by no later than 10:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte appearance. (CRC, Rule 3.1203 (a).) As required by Rules 3.1202 and 3.1204, your ex parte application must be accompanied by a declaration regarding notice which includes the relief being requested, the date, time, and location the ex parte application will be heard, and the name and address of the attorneys and/or parties to whom notice was provided.
In order to have an ex parte application considered by Judge DeNoce in courtroom 41, you must first contact his Judicial Secretary at 805-289-8791 before you can file your paperwork with the clerk’s office. Thereafter, immediately email a courtesy copy of your ex parte application to the courtroom at: courtroom41@ventura.courts.ca.gov All attorneys and pro pers must be copied on your email to the court.
Case Management Rules:
Please click on the link below to download a copy of Judge DeNoce's Case Management Rules.
(How to Resolve Your Case without Going to Trial.)
Mediation is a quick, cost-effective, and less stressful way for parties to settle cases without having to go to trial. It gives parties the opportunity to resolve their disputes before committing significant time, money, and energy to a trial. Civil limited lawsuits with amounts in controversy of $50,000 or less per plaintiff, will be ordered to participate in the Court's Civil Mediation Program pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 3.891(a)(1). In such cases, parties must complete the Court's mediation program before proceeding to trial. Parties in unlimited civil cases may voluntarily agree to participate in the Court's Mediation Program regardless of the amount in controversy. (Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.891(a)(2).) For more information about participating in the Court's Mediation Program to resolve your case prior to trial, please visit:
Court-Ordered Civil Mediation Program | Superior Court of California | County of Ventura
If your case is not resolved through mediation or arbitration, the court may set a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) 60 to 90 days before your trial date. (See, Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1380.) MSCs are typically set at the same time that the trial date is set but can be requested later. MSCs are conducted via Zoom. An MSC is a last opportunity to informally resolve your case before a Judge without having to go to trial.
Appearing Remotely by Zoom:
With respect to cases before Judge DeNoce in courtroom 41, you can appear remotely by Zoom for Case Management Conferences and Law & Motion matters. You cannot appear remotely for trials or evidentiary matters.
To appear remotely by Zoom, you must submit an email request to the Court by 4 p.m. the court day before your hearing to: courtroom41@ventura.courts.ca.gov, with a subject line that includes “NOTICE TO APPEAR VIA ZOOM.” Your email request must identify the name of the attorney/party who will appear by Zoom and all counsel/parties must be copied on your email request. When appearing by Zoom, you will need to mute yourself until your case is called at which point you will also have to turn on your camera. Assuming you have given advance email notice the court day before your hearing of your intent to appear by Zoom, you may enter the Courtroom 41 Zoom waiting room at 8:30 a.m. on the day of your hearing through this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81985625079?pwd=cHV2MENmWGNLSnJCMlM5Sk1xRk0vdz09
Ex Parte Requests:
An ex parte application is only for emergency relief. (Turner v. Sup. Ct. (1977) 72 Cal.App.3d 804, 809; Cal. Rules of Court, Rule 3.1202(c).) An ex parte application requires notice to the opposing party or counsel by no later than 10:00 a.m. the court day before the ex parte appearance. (CRC, Rule 3.1203 (a).) As required by Rules 3.1202 and 3.1204, your ex parte application must be accompanied by a declaration regarding notice which includes the relief being requested, the date, time, and location the ex parte application will be heard, and the name and address of the attorneys and/or parties to whom notice was provided.
In order to have an ex parte application considered by Judge DeNoce in courtroom 41, you must first contact his Judicial Secretary at 805-289-8791 before you can file your paperwork with the clerk’s office. Thereafter, immediately email a courtesy copy of your ex parte application to the courtroom at: courtroom41@ventura.courts.ca.gov All attorneys and pro pers must be copied on your email to the court.
Case Management Rules:
Please click on the link below to download a copy of Judge DeNoce's Case Management Rules.
| Case Management Rules for Courtroom 41 - Judge DeNoce |
Jury & Court Trial Rules:
Please click on the links below to download a copy of Judge DeNoce's Jury & Court Trial Rules.
Please click on the links below to download a copy of Judge DeNoce's Jury & Court Trial Rules.
| Jury Trial & Pretrial Rules |
| Jury Panel Questionnaire used by Judge DeNoce |
| Court Trial Rules |