Generic Motion

_____________________________________
1 [Name]
_____________________________________
2 [Address]
_____________________________________
3 [City and State]
_____________________________________
4 [Telephone Number]
□ Petitioner or Plaintiff
5 □ Respondent or Defendant [Check the applicable box]
8 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF _______________

Insert the County Name
9
10 ) Case No.: [Case number]

[Plaintiff's name], )
11 ) NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION TO (OR FOR)
Plaintiff, ) __________________________________________
12 ) __________________________________________
vs. ) __________________________________________
13 ) MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES;
[Defendant's name], ) DECLARATION(S); ORDER AFTER HEARING
14 ) Hearing Date _________________ Time __________ Required
Defendant ) Hearing Judge’s Name [if known] __________________________
15 ) Date Complaint/Petition filed ____________________ Required
) Trial date, if set ________________________________ Required
16 ) Title/nature of attachments, other than declarations
) ►____________________________________________ Required
17 ) Cal.Rules of Court, Rule 311(b) mandates all the Above Information
18 Give Notice To ______________________ [and to _____________________ his or her attorney

Opposing Party Lawyer
19 of record:] NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, on _______________ ___, ______ at ______,

or
20 Month Day Year Time
as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, in Department _________ of this court,
Insert the Department Number
21 Furnished to You by the Clerk
located at _____________________________________ in ____________________, California
Street Address of the Court Facility City
22
___________________________________________ will, and hereby does, move for an order
23 Insert Your Name
24 ____________________________________________________________________________________
Compelling …, directing …, setting aside … [are Examples] (Use these spaces to request the what you would like the judge to order)
25
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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The grounds upon which this motion is based are [1.]_________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
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With few exceptions – the court may consider only the grounds stated in the Notice of Motion (Code of Civil Procedure section 1010)
Form by John A. Zorbas SBN 133860 Funded by a Grant from the Foundation of the State Bar of California. Published under the auspices of the
Butte County Board of Law Library Trustees. Last Day Reviewed 4/06/2006 Intended for individual uses where permitted by Local Rule or
custom. Ask the Law Librarian for references needed to complete this1Form. Be advised that certain motions have presentation requirements
that are not reflected on this Form. Use of the Resource Bibliography on Pages 9 and 10 of this Form is key. Be sure to utilize it before
beginning your work. A number of attorneys can and do provide “Limited Scope Legal Assistance” – which should be sought before going-it alone,
especially before, and for, appearing in Court. See Represent Yourself in Court: How to Prepare and Try a Winning Case 4th ed (Nolo Press) for
information on how to hire an Attorney to act as a Legal Coach. Ask the Law Librarian for a list of Attorneys providing “Unbundled Legal
Services.” Permission is granted to duplicate this Form if it is duplicated in its entirety, including this Paragraph, for nonprofit purposes only.
Grounds are legal principles, code sections, and rules
1
[2.]________________________________________________________________________________
2
____________________________________________________________________________________ &
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[3.]________________________________________________________________________________
4
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Ask for Reference Assistance if you are unsure of the grounds. Law Librarians and Court Staff are familiar with reference resources.
5
The motion will be based on this Notice of Motion, on the attached Declaration of
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______________________________ (which is required to be completed and attached - and
Insert Your Name
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which may make reference to the declarations of others), [on the declarations of
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____________________________________(if available) and ___________________________________
Name of Person with Personal Knowledge of Facts that Will Support Your Motion Name of Person with Personal Knowledge of Facts that Will Support Your Motion
9
(if available)], on the memorandum of points and authorities served and filed
10
herewith, on the pleadings, the records and file herein, and on such evidence as may
11 be presented at the hearing of the motion.
12
Dated: ______________________ ______, ________
[Month] [Date] [Year]
13
_____________________________
14 [Your Signature]
_____________________________
15 [Print Name]
16
17
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
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1. STATEMENT OF FACTS - Instructions. In the spaces provided on the following
page, recite the facts of your case that are relevant to the motion you are making.
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Remember: You need to file one or more Declarations, in addition to the Motion you are making on this
21
Form at the same time you file your Motion. Personal knowledge in a Statement of Facts is
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demonstrated by referencing to the Declaration(s) you offer and to the Exhibit(s) you
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attach. Declarations may be made on Judicial Council Forms MC-030. This form is found
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online at the California Court website http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/fillable/mc030.pdf
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If you want to attach an Exhibit, and reference it in your Statement of Facts, make sure your attachment
26
complies with California Rules of Court, Rule 311(e). The Rules of Court are online at the
27 California Court website http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/rules/ Organize your thoughts
28 carefully and write truthfully. Avoid where possible such statements as “I think”
and “I feel”.
1 STATEMENT OF FACTS – Your Statement
2 _____________________________________________________________________________________
Begin Stating the Facts Here
3 _____________________________________________________________________________________
4 _____________________________________________________________________________________
5 _____________________________________________________________________________________
6 _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
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11 _____________________________________________________________________________________
12 _____________________________________________________________________________________
13 _____________________________________________________________________________________
14 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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20 _____________________________________________________________________________________
21 _____________________________________________________________________________________
22 _____________________________________________________________________________________
23 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________________________________If
28 necessary, Insert additional pages between this page and the following page; then begin work on the page headed STATUTORY AUTHORITY
(which follows)
2. STATUTORY AUTHORITY. Supply California Code sections or court rules that support your
1
motion, by name of code, with the section number following, in the appropriate spaces below. Statutory
2
authority is mandatory. With the exception of the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court, which are in all
3
cases mandatory authority, and supervene all other law, statute governs where statute and cases
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conflict.
5
United States Constitution, Article _____ Section _________
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Constitution of California, Article _____ Section _________
7
California Code of Civil Procedure Section(s) __________ & __________
8 California _________________________ Code Section(s) __________ & __________
9 California _________________________ Code Section(s) __________ & __________
10 California Rules of Court, Rule(s) __________ & __________
11 Local Rule(s) ____ & ____ of the _____________ County Local Rules of Court
12
3. DECISIONAL CASE AUTHORITY. Provide the names of Cases that support your
13
motion in the spaces below. An example of a case citation is Gideon v. Wainwright
14
(1963) 372 U.S. 335. Use only officially published cases. Make sure that you cite
15
mandatory authority in support of your Motion (U.S. Supreme Court decisions, abbrev. L.Ed.,
16
L.Ed.2d, U.S.; California Supreme Court decisions, abbrev. Cal., Cal.2d, Cal.3d and
17
Cal.4th; and officially-published California Court of Appeal decisions, abbrev. Cal.App.,
18 Cal.App.2d, Cal.App.3d and Cal.App.4th are mandatory authority, just as statutes are
19 mandatory authority).
20 Cite cases that will support your Motion in the spaces below. Continue your work on page
21 following:
22
_____________________________________ ( ) _____ _______________ _____
23 Case Title Year Volume Reporter Abbrev Page
24 _____________________________________ ( ) _____ _______________ _____

Case Title Year Volume Reporter Abbrev Page
25
_____________________________________ ( ) _____ _______________ _____
27
28 Example Gideon v. Wainwright Case Title (1963) Year Decided 372 Volume U.S. Reporter Abbrev 335 Begins Page
►See 9 Witkin, California Procedure (4th Ed. 1997), sections 928-944 (pp. 964-986) for the Rules as to who must
follow whom in the hierarchy of Courts (and when).
1 _____________________________________ ( ) _____ _______________ _____
Case Title Year Volume Reporter Abbrev Page
2
_____________________________________ ( ) _____ _______________ _____
5 4. LEGAL ARGUMENT. Explain why the California Code section(s) and/or the Rules and/or the
6 Case(s) you cited support the relief requested. In making your written presentation, be sure
7 to refer to the relevant statements you supplied in the Statement of Facts, and in
8 the declaration(s) [and in the document(s)] you will be attaching, to support it. In
9 making references, you must include the (number or letter) designation of your
10 Exhibit in your reference, the page number, and, if applicable, the line number.
11 (Exhibit “A”, Notice of Motion, Page 5, Line 13) is an example of a reference that
12
complies with the Rules. [It is a reference to the preceding sentence!] Begin your legal
13
argument here:
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24 _____________________________________________________________________________________
25 _____________________________________________________________________________________
26 _____________________________________________________________________________________
27 _____________________________________________________________________________________
28 _____________________________________________________________________________________
1 Continue your legal argument here:
2 _____________________________________________________________________________________
3
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14 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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16 _____________________________________________________________________________________
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22 _____________________________________________________________________________________
23 _____________________________________________________________________________________
24 _____________________________________________________________________________________
25 _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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If necessary, insert additional pages between this page and the following page if you need more space to finish your
28 Legal Argument. Conclude your Motion with the MOVING PARTY’S REQUEST.
5. MOVING PARTY’S REQUEST. Based on the foregoing authorities,
1
_____________________________________________ respectfully requests an order granting
2 Your Name
3 his/her motion to (or for) __________________________________________________________

State again what you stated in the “Caption” on page 1
4
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6
7 Respectfully submitted: ______________________ ______, ________

8
_____________________________
9 [Your Signature]
10 _____________________________
[Print Name]
11
□ Respondent or Defendant [Check the applicable box]
12
13
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15
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[Your Motion must include a Proposed Order. Leave only the Judge’s Part blank.]
1 _____________________________________
[Name]
2 _____________________________________
[Address]
3 _____________________________________
[City and State]
4 _____________________________________
[Telephone Number]
5
6 □ Respondent or Defendant [Check the applicable box]
7
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF _______________
8 Insert the County Name
9 ) Case No.: [Case number]

[Plaintiff's name], )
10 ) ORDER AFTER HEARING
Plaintiff, ) (Cal. Rules of Ct., Rule 313(l))
11 )
vs. )
12 )
[Defendant's name], )
13 )
Defendant )
14
The motion of _________________________________________________ for an order
15 Your Name
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Use the words you used on Page 1. (Compelling …, directing …, setting aside … were examples.)
16
_____________________________________________________________________________________
17
_____________________________________________________________________________________
18
came on regularly for a hearing by the court on _______________________ ___, _____.
19 Month Day Year
20 Petitioner or Plaintiff  present  not present. [LEAVE ALL BOXES BLANK FOR THE JUDGE ]
21 Respondent or Defendant  present  not present.
22 On proof made to the satisfaction of the court that the motion ought to be
23  granted or  denied, IT IS ORDERED that the motion be, and hereby is, _____________.
Leave the space blank
The Judge will make
24 the Order
Dated ______________________ ______, ________
25
26 ________________________________________
Judge of the Superior Court
27
28
1 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES
Library References
2
1 California Civil Procedure before Trial (Cont.Ed.Bar 4th ed.) Making and Opposing Noticed Motions, §§ 12.1-12.28, pp.
547-559 (rev. 6/05)
3
33 California Forms of Pleading and Practice Annotated (Matthew Bender, 2005) Motions and Orders, §§ 372.60, pp.
4 372-65 – 372-74 (rel. 151 – 03/04)
6 Witkin, California Procedure (4th ed. 1997) Proceedings without Trial, sections 8-10, pages 407-410; id. (2005 supp.)
5
section 8, p. 81
6 18 West’s Ann. Code of Civil Procedure (1980 ed.), foll. § 1010 pp. 604-616
7
23 Pt. 2 West’s Ann. Cal. Rules of Court (2005 ed.), rule 311, p. 441
8
23 Pt. 2 West’s Ann. Cal. Rules of Court (2005 ed.), rule 313, pp. 445-446
9
Cases
10
Luri v. Greenwald (2003) 107 Cal.App.4th 1119, 1125
11
RESOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY
12
Major Publishers California Continuing Education of the Bar Lexis Nexis Thomson West
13
Overviews of California Law
14 California criminal law / by B.E. Witkin and members of the Witkin Legal Institute – 3rd ed. Francisco, Calif. : Witkin
Legal Institute, 2000-. 6v. ; 26 cm. Kept up-to-date by pocket parts. Includes index
15
California criminal law procedure and practice / Jeffrey G. Adachi, et al – 2005 ed. Oakland, Calif.: Continuing
Education of the Bar – California, 2005. xlix, 2260 p ; 26 cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.
16
California evidence / by B.E. Witkin and members of the Witkin Legal Institute – 4th ed. Francisco, Calif. : Witkin Legal
17 Institute, 2000-. 4v. ; 26 cm. Kept up-to-date by pocket parts. Includes index
California procedure / by B.E. Witkin – 4th ed. San Francisco, Calif. : Witkin Legal Institute, 1996-. Kept up-to-
18 date by pocket parts and by stand-alone softcover supplements
19 Summary of California law / by B.E. Witkin and members of the Witkin Legal Institute – 10 th ed. Francisco, Calif. :
Witkin Legal Institute, 2005-. Kept up-to-date by pocket parts
20
21 Pleading and Practice Materials

California civil procedure before trial / by the Publisher’s editorial staff – 4th ed. Oakland, Calif.: Continuing
22 Education of the Bar- California, 2004 -. 3v. (loose-leaf) : 26cm ; forms + 1 computer optical disk (CD-ROM). Kept up-to-date by
loose-leaf revision pages
23
California criminal defense practice / by the Publisher’s editorial staff. New York, N.Y. : Matthew-Bender, 1981-. 7v.
(loose-leaf) ; 26 cm. Kept up-to-date by loose-leaf revision pages. Includes table of cases, table of statutes and index [v.7]
24
California criminal practice, motions, jury instructions and sentencing / Edward A. Rucker and Mark E. Overland – 3rd
25 ed. St. Paul, Minn. : Thomson West, 2004-. 5v. forms ; 26 cm. Kept up-to-date by pocket parts
California criminal law forms manual / Sara H. Ruddy – 2nd ed. Oakland, Calif.: Continuing Education of the Bar-
26 California, 2005 -. 1v. (loose-leaf) : 26cm ; forms + 1 computer optical disk (CD-ROM). Kept up-to-date by loose-leaf revision
pages
27
California forms of pleading and practice annotated / by the Publisher’s editorial staff. San Francisco, Calif. :
Matthew-Bender, Western Division, 1962-. 55 v. (loose-leaf) : forms ; 25 cm. Kept up-to-date by loose-leaf revision inserts,
28 replacement vols., and new, extra numbered vols. Includes index [vols. 52-53],table of cases [vol. 54], and table of statutes
[vol. 55]
California points and authorities / by the Publisher’s editorial staff. Albany, N.Y. : Matthew-Bender, 1965-. 24 v.
1 (loose-leaf) : forms ; 26 cm. Updated with revisions and supplements. Includes a chapter on writing memoranda [vol. 1] table of
cases, table of statutes and index [vol. 24]
2 California style manual : a handbook of legal style for California courts and lawyers / Edward W. Jessen – 4th ed. San
Francisco, Calif.: Thomson West, 2000
3
4 See also, California Continuing Education of the Bar Practice Books and The Rutter Group Practice Guides and texts
5 Statutes
West’s annotated California codes / compiled and indexed by the Publisher’s editorial staff. St. Paul, Minn. : West
Pub. Co., 1954-. 79 v. ; 26 cm. Arranged by alphabetical name of Code, beginning with Constitution, continuing with Business
6 and Professions, and ending with Welfare and Institutions. Kept up-to-date by annual pocket supplements, by interim
supplemental pamphlets, by replacement, expansion, vols., and, for access to new laws, by West’s California legislative service
7 – 13 pamphlets issued ea yr. Includes California Rules of Court [v.23 Pt.1 – v.23 Pt.5] and index. Online: West’s annotated
California codes is Westlaw database CA-ST-ANN
8
West’s California rules of court: State and federal / compiled and indexed by the Publisher’s editorial staff. St. Paul,
Minn. : West Pub. Co., 1976-. Published in January and July, with the new editions superseding the previous ones
9
West’s Northern California local court rules / compiled and indexed by the Publisher’s editorial staff. St. Paul,
10 Minn. : West Pub. Co., 1976-. Published in January and July, with the new editions superseding the previous ones
11 Cases
12 West’s California digest 2d : covering cases from state and federal courts, 1950 to date / by the Publisher’s editorial
staff. St. Paul, Minn. : West Pub. Co., 1983-. 56v. ; 26 cm. Arranged by Topic (subject) and organized by Key Numbers (subject
outline headings and sub-headings). Kept up-to-date by annual pocket supplements, by interim supplemental pamphlets, and by
13 replacement, expansion, vols. Includes Descriptive Word Index [v.45-v.47D], Table of Cases [v.48-v.53], and judicial definitions
of Words and Phrases [v.54-56A]
14
West’s California reporter / by the Publisher’s editorial staff. St. Paul, Minn. : West Pub. Co., 1960-. v.1 (1960)-
v.286 (1991) ; 2nd ser., v.1 (1991)-v.135 (2004) ; 3rd ser., v.1 (2004)-. “Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Court,
15 District Courts of Appeal, and in Appellate Departments Superior Court.” Headnotes keyed to West’s California digest 2d. Kept
up-to-date by weekly “advance sheets” also called: West’s California reporter. Contains all cases published in the California
16 Official Reports advance sheets, the California Appellate Reports and the California Supreme Court reports. Parallel citations
displayed. Westlaw database CA-CS. Online Free: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/continue.htm
17
Authority Verification Tools
18 KeyCite : Online: KeyCite is a Westlaw tool http://lawschool.westlaw.com/help/tourkeycite/menu.htm?Unit=menu
19
Shepard’s California citations, cases : a compilation of citations to California cases reported in the various series of
California reports, in the Pacific reporter and in the California reporter / by the Publisher’s editorial staff – 10 th ed., cases.
20 Colorado Springs, Colo. : Shepard’s/McGraw-Hill, 1999-. Kept up to date by Yellow annual cumulative supplements and Red
monthly cumulative supplements. Supplemented between supplements by Blue interim supplement. Online: Shepard’s Public
21 Access is a Lexis-Nexis database
Shepard’s California citations, statutes : a compilation of citations to United States constitution and statutes,
22 California constitution, all California codes, code of regulations, general orders of the railroad commission and of the public
utilities commission of California, California jury instructions, statutes and ordinances / by the Publisher’s editorial staff – 9 th
23 ed., statutes. Colorado Springs, Colo. : Shepard’s/McGraw-Hill, 1995-. Kept up to date by Yellow annual cumulative
supplements and Red monthly cumulative supplements. Supplemented between supplements by Blue interim supplement.
24 Online: Shepard’s Public Access is a Lexis-Nexis database
Words and Phrases Defined

25
Authority Authority means law
26 Motion A motion is an application to the court for an order (Code of Civil Procedure, section 1003)
27
28
custom. Ask the Law Librarian for references needed to complete this 10Form. Be advised that certain motions have presentation requirements

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_____________________________________

8 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF _______________

10 ) Case No.: [Case number]

18 Give Notice To __ [and to _ his or her attorney

19 of record:] NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, on _____________ _, at ,

11 be presented at the hearing of the motion.

8 California _____________ Code Section(s) &

9 California _____________ Code Section(s) &

10 California Rules of Court, Rule(s) &

24 ___________________________________ ( ) _ _________ _

3 his/her motion to (or for) __________________________________________________________

7 Respectfully submitted: ____________ ,

9 ) Case No.: [Case number]

21 Respondent or Defendant  present  not present.

21 Pleading and Practice Materials

18 KeyCite : Online: KeyCite is a Westlaw tool http://lawschool.westlaw.com/help/tourkeycite/menu.htm?Unit=menu

Words and Phrases Defined

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