NewsLinks is a collection of recent news items relating primarily to the California judicial branch. NewsLinks does not verify or endorse the accuracy or fairness of the news items, and the views expressed in opinions, editorials, and commentaries are those of the writers only. Some news articles linked from this page may require a subscription or be behind a paywall.

NewsLinks

  • California High Court’s Gilead Ruling Marks Tort Law Sea Change

    Bloomberg Law
    August 5, 2026

    In its ruling, the California high court’s majority cited its precedent in Rowland v. Christian, saying that foreseeability and policy considerations may justify an exception if the court assumes that Gilead had a duty of care beyond its responsibility to design and manufacture safe drugs.

    Related: Lawyer Monthly

  • US Supreme Court Sets Climate Suit for First Case of Next Term

    Bloomberg Law
    August 4, 2026

    The justices will hear argument in Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County on Oct. 5. The case implicates billions in potential fines from cities and states that have increasingly looked to oil companies to cover costs from emission-related damages.

  • Judges From Sixth District Courts Convene for Power of Democracy Workshop

    California Courts Newsroom
    August 4, 2026

    Representatives from the Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz superior courts, along with justices from the Sixth Appellate District, convened to discuss strategies for engaging K–12 educators and students, and educating them about the judicial system. The workshop doubled as a showcase for court programs already succeeding across the region. 

  • Jurisdiction Lies Over Chinese Citizen Served in California, Ninth Circuit Declares

    Metropolitan News-Enterprise
    August 4, 2026

    The District Court for the Southern District of California gained personal jurisdiction over a Chinese citizen notwithstanding that the summons was handed to a cohabitant of the dwelling in which the defendant was residing, rather than personally serving him, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held yesterday.

  • LA Superior Court launches unified online case access portal

    Daily Journal
    August 4, 2026

    (Subscription required) The new Court Access Portal, available at CAP.lacourt.ca.gov, consolidates case information, calendars and document access for civil, criminal, family law, juvenile justice, juvenile dependency, mental health and probate matters.

  • Court revives key Leah Remini defamation claims against Scientology

    Daily Journal
    August 4, 2026

    (Subscription required) The 2nd District Court of Appeal revived several of Leah Remini's defamation claims against the Church of Scientology, ruling she presented sufficient evidence to pursue allegations that the church falsely accused her of lying and mistreating family members while striking other claims as protected opinion or rhetorical hyperbole.