Aug. 13 Temporary Emergency Rules on Evictions, Foreclosures Set to End at Midnight Sept. 1 After Judicial Council Vote

The Judicial Council voted to end two temporary emergency rules governing evictions and judicial foreclosures, which will stay in effect through midnight on Sept. 1. "We have been responsive to requests for additional time to develop and enact policy and legislative proposals,” Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye said.

July 10 California Counties Keeping COVID-19 Emergency Bail Schedules

At least 31 California counties home to nearly 80 percent of the state's residents have kept COVID-19 emergency bail schedules to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in jails and surrounding communities during the pandemic, according to data reported by superior courts.

June 10 Judicial Council, Chief Justice End Some Emergency Measures as California and Courts Expand Reopening

The Judicial Council voted to end the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, as California begins a phased re-opening and courts restore services shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 3 Council Working Group Releases Pandemic Recovery Resource Guide for Courts

Guide addresses more than 200 questions and topics related to facilities, personnel, jury management, case management and processing, and communications.

May 29 Judicial Council Revises Emergency Rule on Statutes of Limitations in Civil Cases

Council approved a revision to emergency rule 9 regarding the statutes of limitations for filing civil cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to clarify that the emergency rule also applies to “statutes of repose”.

May 12 Judicial Council Launches Working Group to Aid Courts in Pandemic Recovery

The Pandemic Continuity of Operations Working Group will quickly collect best practices and publish a framework to help the state's 58 superior courts address interrupted services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 29 Chief Justice Extends Criminal Trial Deadlines

The deadline to hold criminal trials has been extended a total of 90 days.

April 27 California Supreme Court Orders Bar Exam Delayed, Administered Online

The Supreme Court ordered the July California Bar Exam be postponed to Sept. 9-10, and directed the State Bar to make every effort to administer the test online with remote or electronic proctoring.

April 20 Council Makes It Easier for Parties to Request Changes to Support Orders Amid Pandemic

Judges now have discretion to make the modification of a support order effective as of the date an unfiled request is put in the mail rather than the date it is filed with the court.

April 17 Judicial Council Mandates Electronic Service of Documents in Most Civil Cases

Temporary rule reduces service by mail by requiring attorneys to use electronic service when requested to do so.

April 6 Judicial Council Adopts New Rules to Lower Jail Population, Suspend Evictions and Foreclosures

11 temporary emergency rules include $0 statewide bail for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies during COVID-19 pandemic to “safely reduce jail populations”

March 30 Chief Justice Issues Order Implementing Temporary Court Emergency Measures

Order implements action approved by Judicial Council on March 28; clarifies order suspending jury trials for 60 days.

March 28 Judicial Council Approves Temporary Emergency Measures to Aid Courts During COVID-19 Pandemic

Measures aim to continue essential court services while guarding the health and safety of the public, court employees, attorneys, litigants, judicial officers, law enforcement, and staff and inmates in detention facilities

March 27 Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye Comments on Governor Newsom's Executive Order on Judicial Council Emergency Authority

"I understand and appreciate the Governor’s order to use the authority of my office to protect the public and to ensure that access to justice is available to all."

March 23 Chief Justice Issues Statewide Order Suspending Jury Trials

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye issued a statewide order suspending all jury trials for 60 days and allowing courts to immediately adopt new rules to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 22 Chief Justice Cancels March Judicial Council Meeting

"Judicial Council members should attend to essential work in their trial and appellate courts," the Chief Justice said.



March 20 California Chief Justice Issues Second Advisory on Emergency Relief Measures

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye issued new guidance to the state's superior courts to mitigate some of the health risks to judicial officers, court staff, and court users.



March 20 Emergency Orders: 54 Superior Courts and 6 Appellate Courts

Directory of superior court emergency orders that have been signed by the Chief Justice.

March 18 California Supreme Court Expands Electronic Filing in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Supreme Court of California on Wednesday expanded mandatory electronic filing of all documents, including briefs.

March 16 California Chief Justice Issues Guidance to Expedite Court Emergency Orders

Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye issued guidance to trial courts seeking emergency orders to adjust or suspend court operations.

March 16 Court Emergency Orders Directory posted

Presiding judges of county superior courts may petition the Chief Justice—as chair of the Judicial Council—for an emergency order to support their local needs.



March 16 Supreme Court of California Amends Oral Argument Procedures in Response to COVID-19

The California Supreme Court issued an order amending oral argument procedure "to protect the health and safety of the public."