Santa Monica, CA asked in Contracts, Employment Law, Family Law and Tax Law for California

Q: how do calculate a filing deadline

I have a hearing on June 6th, 2024. I am filing an opposition to a motion, which I have to do nine court days before the hearing date. According to the LA Superior Court calculator, June 5th is nine days from today (May 22). So, is today or tomorrow my deadline to file?

2 Lawyer Answers

A: Be careful. If you are counting court days, this coming Monday is not a court day as it is a federal holiday.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In California, the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) Section 12c defines how to calculate filing deadlines. The general rule is that if the last day to perform an act falls on a holiday, then the deadline is extended to the next business day.

To calculate the filing deadline for your opposition to a motion, you need to count backward nine court days from the hearing date, excluding weekends and holidays. If the ninth court day falls on a weekend or holiday, you would need to file on the court day prior to that.

Given:

- Hearing date: June 6, 2024 (Thursday)

- Opposition must be filed nine court days before the hearing

Counting backward nine court days from June 6, 2024, and excluding weekends and holidays, the ninth court day falls on May 22, 2024 (Wednesday), which is today.

Therefore, your deadline to file the opposition is today, May 22, 2024. It is always best to file documents as early as possible to avoid any last-minute issues or delays.

Please note that while the LA Superior Court calculator can be a helpful tool, it's essential to double-check the deadlines based on the applicable laws and rules. If you have any doubts, consult with a legal professional or the court clerk to ensure you meet all necessary deadlines.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.