Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

District Judge Susan Illston

Alert Heading:
Government Shutdown Notice

Alert Box:

All parties are advised that effective Monday, October 20, 2025, the judiciary will run out of funding and only limited operations will continue. See Judiciary Funding Lapse - Limited Operations. As a consequence, court staff will not be paid despite the requirement to work on essential matters.

Accordingly, if the shutdown continues after October 29, 2025, unless the Court notifies the parties otherwise, the Court will take all motion hearings under submission, to be rescheduled, if a hearing is necessary, upon resumption of funding of the federal judiciary.  

And, beginning immediately, and until the judiciary is funded, parties shall meet and confer before filing any motion. The parties shall determine whether the litigation can proceed without the motion or whether the motion must be urgently resolved. If the latter, lead counsel shall file a certification attesting to the same with the filing of any motion. Failure to provide the certification may result in a sua sponte denial without prejudice. 

The Court appreciates the parties’ cooperation during this period.

Criminal Law & Motion Fridays 11:00 a.m.
Civil Law & Motion Fridays 10:00 a.m.
Case Management Conferences (Initial) Fridays 2:30 p.m.
Case Management Conferences (Further) Fridays 3:00 p.m.
Order Effective Date Download
Judge Illston's Civil Pretrial Instructions
Judge Illston's Criminal Pretrial Instructions
Judge Illston's Initial Case Management Guideline & Clerk's Notice
Judge Illston's Standing Order
Standing Order For All Judges Of The Northern District Of California