Council Launches Working Group to Study Remote Proceedings in Civil Cases
Updated June 2022: Courts Using Data to Improve Services
A new Judicial Council working group will propose statewide guidelines for conducting judicial proceedings remotely in civil cases, while providing equal and fair access to the court system for the public.
“Providing access to the courts through remote technology increases access to justice as many of our court users may have to miss work or travel long distances to make court appearances,” said Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye, who chairs the council and appointed the working group members. “Remote technology should not replace all in-person court hearings, but Californians should have the freedom of choice to conduct their business remotely whenever appropriate.”
Working Group Members and Charge
The council’s diverse, 25-member Code of Civil Procedure Section 367.9 Working Group consists of judges, court executive officers, attorneys, court reporters, and interpreters.
The working group will consider such issues as:
- Protocols for ensuring court users fully understand their options for accessing the court remotely;
- Case types and proceedings for which remote appearances are appropriate;
- Availability and use of interpreters and court reporters; and
- Procedural and technical guidelines for using remote technology.
Working Group to Analyze Data Collected on Remote Proceedings
Assembly Bill 177 led to the enactment of section 367.9 of the Code of Civil Procedure, calling for the creation of the working group. That bill also created section 367.8 of the code, which requires the Judicial Council to collect data on the number of civil proceedings conducted remotely, technology issues, and court users’ and court employees’ experience using remote technology.
The working group will use this data to help create its proposed recommendations, which are due to the Legislature and the Governor by January 1, 2023.
