California litigation glossary

A special motion to strike under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, targeting claims that arise from protected speech or petitioning activity. It carries a tight filing window and can shift fees.

In Discover Docket: Discover Docket tracks the anti-SLAPP filing window and surfaces the deadline chain from the triggering pleading.

The Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions — the plain-language jury instructions used in California civil trials.

In Discover Docket: JILL references CACI when building trial outlines and assessing how a theory will be presented to a jury.

The Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions — the counterpart to CACI used in California criminal matters.

In Discover Docket: Discover Docket organizes matter materials around the relevant instruction set for the case type.

The California Code of Civil Procedure — the statutory framework governing civil litigation procedure in California.

In Discover Docket: JILL validates citations to the CCP against current law before they reach you, recorded through DDEAS.

The California Rules of Court — the statewide rules governing practice and procedure in California courts.

In Discover Docket: Discover Docket applies CRC timing and formatting rules when calculating deadlines and preparing documents.

A pleading challenge arguing that, even if the facts alleged are true, they do not state a legally sufficient claim.

In Discover Docket: JILL drafts and responds to demurrers grounded in your pleadings and controlling authority.

An application made on shortened notice, typically seeking urgent relief, governed by specific California notice requirements.

In Discover Docket: Discover Docket tracks ex parte notice requirements and the compressed timeline they create.

A standardized set of approved discovery questions (such as Form Interrogatory 17.1) used to obtain basic case information.

In Discover Docket: JILL drafts responses and motions to compel tied to specific form interrogatories from your case file.

The required good-faith effort to resolve a discovery or procedural dispute before bringing it to the court.

In Discover Docket: Discover Docket documents meet-and-confer correspondence within the matter for a defensible record.

A motion asking the court to order a party to provide discovery responses or documents that are overdue or deficient.

In Discover Docket: JILL drafts motions to compel — with a proposed order — grounded in the discovery at issue and your jurisdiction.

A document attesting how and when a paper was served on the other parties, establishing the service date that starts many deadlines.

In Discover Docket: Discover Docket reads the service date to anchor the deadline chain under California timing rules.

A judge- or department-specific order setting procedures that apply to all matters before that judge or department.

In Discover Docket: JILL incorporates a department's standing order when preparing filings for that judge.