Law & Motion
GENERAL:
Law and motion matters are generally subject to the Court's tentative ruling procedure. Click here for more information about tentative rulings.
Civil law and motion matters and ex parte applications are heard in Department 31 if the case is not assigned to another judge for all purposes, and the matter is not otherwise assigned to another department. Further information about law and motion in Department 31 and law and motion in unlawful detainer cases is below.
For information about law and motion in other departments, see your Notice of Assignment, see the information about civil direct calendar departments, or complex litigation departments on DomainWeb, or call the department. The judicial directory is located here.
UNLAWFUL DETAINER CASES: Law and Motion Locations
In unlawful detainer (eviction) cases, law and motion matters are heard in various court locations depending on the location of the subject property.
At the time an unlawful detainer case is filed, the Court determines the proper court location for the case. The Court assigns a case number that starts with a letter corresponding to the cases court location. See the below table for the unlawful detainer court locations for various areas in Alameda County, and the corresponding case number identifiers. When you file a motion, court staff can also assist you in confirming where the motion will be heard. If you have a Berkeley or Oakland case, see below for special information about law and motion matters in Department 31.
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Location of Subject Property
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Case Number Starts With
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Court Location for Law and Motion
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Court Location for Stay Applications
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Alameda (City of)
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A
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Dept. 303, George E. McDonald Hall of Justice, Alameda
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Same as law and motion
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Berkeley, Oakland, and vicinity
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B, R, or W
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Dept. 31, Post Office Building, Oakland
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Dept. 101, Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, Oakland
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Fremont and vicinity
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F
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Depts. 606 and 608, Fremont Hall of Justice
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Same as law and motion
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Hayward and vicinity
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H
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Dept. 511, Hayward Hall of Justice
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Same as law and motion
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Pleasanton and vicinity
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V
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Dept. 707, Gale Schenone Hall of Justice, Pleasanton
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Same as law and motion
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UNLAWFUL DETAINER CASES: Stay Applications
If you are filing an application to stay execution of an unlawful detainer judgment (for a stay of eviction), you may file the application at the civil filing counter at any of the locations listed in the table above (not Department 31). The Court may be able to act on your application more quickly if you file your application at the court location that matches your case.
UNLAWFUL DETAINER CASES: Other Ex Parte Applications
Other ex parte applications in unlawful detainer cases are generally heard at the same court location as law and motion matters. When you file and ex parte application, court staff can assist you in confirming the correct locations. If you have a Berkeley or Oakland case, see below for special information about ex parte applications in Department 31.
DEPARTMENT 31: Law and Motion
Civil law and motion matters are heard in Department 31 at 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. A reservation (see below) is required before setting a matter on the law and motion calendar.
DEPARTMENT 31: Ex Parte Applications
Ex parte applications are heard at 9:00 a.m. An appointment (see below) is usually required for an ex parte application. Appointments should generally be made at least 24 hours in advance. A party presenting an ex parte application must notify all parties as required by the California Rules of Court, rules 3.1203 and 3.1204.
DEPARTMENT 31: Reservations and Appointments
A law and motion hearing reservation or ex parte appointment may be made by calling the Department 31 calendar clerk at (510) 268-5103 Monday throught Friday from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
DEPARTMENT 31: Location and Filing
Department 31 is located on the second floor of the U.S. Post Office Building, 201 13th Street (between Alice and Jackson), Oakland, California 94612. The Court does not have a filing counter in the U.S. Post Office Building. To file documents, please go to the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse or any other court location with a filing counter.
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