Legal Question in Civil Litigation in California

Orders to Show Cause, commonly called OSC's take one of two forms. First, in family law, they are used in lieu of motions, and are responded to by filing a responsive declaration, in a time frame similar to opposing a motion.

Second, OSC's are issued by the trial courts in California in civil litigation cases, usually to address an issue of concern of the trial judge. The OSC can involve anything from a party's failure to follow the rules of court, or local rules, to an issue the judge has with the party's case, or a party's or attorney's failure to show up at the hearing. The person who responds to the OSC is the person to whom the OSC is directed. That is determined by looking at the order, and usually notice for the OSC.