Do you need a list of controverted issues for an Orange County jury trial?
Short answer
Usually, yes. In Orange County Superior Court, jury-trial local practice commonly requires the parties to identify the controverted issues as part of the pretrial/jury trial readiness paperwork, but the exact requirement depends on the case type, department, and any applicable standing or local trial order.[1]
What to check
Orange County Superior Court uses department-specific and case-type-specific trial procedures, and those procedures can require a joint statement, witness list, exhibit list, and related trial-readiness items.[1] In some departments, the court also expects a concise statement of the disputed issues to help frame voir dire, opening statements, and the jury instructions.
Because local practice can vary by department, the safest answer is:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a universal Orange County Superior Court rule requiring a list of controverted issues in every jury trial? | Not necessarily in every case, based on the materials provided. |
| Can a department require it? | Yes, by standing order or trial order.[1] |
| Should you assume it is required? | Practically, yes, unless the assigned department’s rules say otherwise. |
Practical recommendation
For a pending jury trial in Orange County Superior Court, I would:
- Check the assigned department’s standing trial order;
- Review any local rules and the court’s trial-readiness filing requirements;
- If the court uses a trial questionnaire or joint statement form, include a short, neutral list of controverted issues unless the form or order says not to.
If you want, I can help you draft a California-style “controverted issues” section for a jury trial statement.