Chapter 16 - teleconferencing hearings and conferences

16.1 Authority for Rules

The rules in this chapter are adopted pursuant to the authority of Government Code §68070.1 and in response to the recommendation contained in Section 21, Standards of Judicial Administration. (eff. 1/1/92)

16.2 Appearance by Telephone

Counsel may appear by telephone in law and motion and probate hearings, except in those matters in which:

a) A party gives notice of an intent to present oral or documentary evidence at the hearing; or

b) The court orders the personal appearance of counsel.

In addition, counsel may appear by telephone in any other hearing or conference for which the notice issued by the court setting such hearing or conference directs that appearance may be by telephone. (eff. 1/1/92)

16.3 Notice of Intent to Appear by Telephone

The motion, petition or other application of counsel intending to appear by telephone, and the opposition or other response thereto by counsel intending to appear by telephone, shall be accompanied by a distinctive and readily apparent notice of counsel's intent to appear by telephone and shall state the telephone number at which such counsel can be reached at the time of the hearing. Any counsel intending to appear by telephone at any hearing or conference for which the notice issued by the court setting such hearing or conference directs that appearance may be by telephone shall serve upon all other counsel and file with the court, not later than 10 calendar days before such hearing or conference, a notice stating such intention and the telephone number at which such counsel can be reached at the time of the hearing. Care should be taken to provide a telephone number which is unlikely to be in use at the time noticed for the hearing. (eff. 1/1/92)

16.4 Obligation of Counsel to Participate in Telephone Conference

It is the obligation of each counsel giving notice of intent to appear by telephone to be immediatley available by telephone at the telephone number given in such notice at all times during the period for which the hearing or conference is calendared until the hearing or conference has concluded. (eff. 1/1/92)

16.5 Conduct of Teleconferences

As soon as the matter can be reached on its calendar by the court, after the time noticed for the hearing or conference, a collect telephone call will be initiated by the court to each counsel appearing on the matter by telephone and it will be the obligation of such counsel to accept the telephone call immediately. When all counsel partiipating in the hearing or conference are either present in the courtroom or participating by telephone, the hearing or conference will proceed in the same manner as though all counsel participating were in the courtroom. (eff. 1/1/92)

16.6 Expense of Teleconference

All telecommunication charges incurred by the court in connection with a teleconference will be borne in equal shares by counsel appearing by telephone. (eff. 1/1/92)