The term "ex parte" loosely translates from Latin to mean "by one side" or "by one party." It refers to situations where a judge meets with one party to a lawsuit but not the other party or parties. Typically this is forbidden, with the exception of ex parte motions. Ex parte motions are typically emergent in nature. On an ex parte motion, one party appears before the judge to get immediate relief for a pressing situation.
Read More: How to Prepare an Ex Parte Motion
Complete California's standard Ex Parte Form for the type of matter at hand. For example, there are separate ex parte forms for domestic issues and civil issues. These forms can be located online through the California Courts Self-Help Center website (see Resources).
File the completed form in the court where the case is being heard, and pay the appropriate filing fee, if any.
Serve the completed forms by fax, mail or delivery to all other parties to the motion. In California, notice by telephone is not sufficient.
Prepare to go to court and argue the motion before the judge. The court will schedule a time and date you may appear for the ex parte motion, or the court will set the matter for a regular hearing at a later date.
Read More: What Happens at an Ex Parte Hearing?
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Writer Bio
Lindsay Nixon has been writing since 2007. Her work has appeared in "Vegetarian Times," "Women's Health Magazine" and online for The Huffington Post. She is also a published author, lawyer and certified personal trainer. Nixon has two Bachelors of Arts in classics and communications from the College of Charleston and a Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law.