Alameda County Superior Court
Civil Court Self Help

Your Trial Setting Conference

1. Your Trial Setting Conference
2. Should I have a Jury Trial or Court Trial?
3. What do I have to do if I ask for a Jury Trial?
4. Is there a time limit for discovery?

1. Your Trial Setting Conference
   
   You will get a trial date when you have a hearing called a “Trial Setting Conference”. The judge wants everyone who will be trying the case to be at the hearing. This means your lawyer, if you have one. If you don’t, you have to go.
   
   The judge sets a trial date for sometime in the next 90 days. Bring your calendar so you can tell the judge when you are available. After you get trial date, get ready to go to trial on that date.
   
   
    
2. Should I have a Jury Trial or Court Trial?
   
   If you want to have a Jury Trial, tell the judge at your Trial Setting Conference. For more information, see California Code of Civil Procedure section 631.
   
   Each party has to decide if they want a jury trial, or a Court Trial. A court trial is a trial with just the judge. It is also called a "Bench trial."
   
    
3. What do I have to do if I ask for a Jury Trial?
   
   You have to ask for a jury trial at the Trial Setting Conference. The party that asks for a jury has to pay the jury fees for each day of the trial. They also have to deposit the first day’s jury fees at least 25 days before the trial date. If you don’t deposit the money in time, you can give up your right to a jury trial.
   
    
4. Is there a time limit for discovery?
   
   Yes. In general, you have to finish discovery 30 days before the trial date. The Court can give you more time to finish discovery, but you shouldn’t count on that. It’s an exception. Try to finish your discovery ahead of time. This will give everyone enough time to go over all the papers and get ready for trial. California Code of Civil Procedure section 2024 has all the rules for discovery.

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