COVID News Center:

Statewide emergency actions and updates on county court services and operations here.

Search results

Feature - September 15, 2016

Incoming Judicial Council Member Terms Begin This Week

Two judges and an attorney join the Judicial Council, terms begin Sept 15, 2016. Ms. Audra Ibarra Audra Ibarra is an appellate law expert and practitioner. She was...

Judicial Council Members

Rule of Court 10.2: Council Membership and Terms

San Diego

Tehama

News Release - July 27, 2017

Study: Free legal services help settle high-stakes civil cases

A pilot program that funds free legal services for low-income Californians facing critical civil cases drastically increased the likelihood of settlement, improved the longevity of court orders, and reduced court costs, a new study shows.

Judicial Council Report to the Legislature: Sargent Shriver Civil Counsel Act

Shriver Custody Projects Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Shriver Housing Projects Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Shriver Guardianship Project Fact Sheet - Aug 2018

Feature - September 15, 2017

Court Helps Courageous Family Give Boy a New Start

The Judicial Council on Thursday voted to proclaim November “Court Adoption and Permanency Month," when many California courts will dedicate extra courtrooms and judges to settling large numbers of adoption cases.

Feature - September 18, 2018

“We’re building strength instead of wagging a finger.”

A Q&A with Steve Binder, a 2018 Distinguished Service Award recipient from San Diego whose innovative court model started a nationwide movement.

NBC News: Hear ye, hear ye, Homeless Court is in session

Veterans Village of San Diego Homeless Court

Stand Down 2018 serves veterans

Collaborative Courts

San Diego

Feature - November 30, 2018

California Courts Complete 19th Annual Court Adoption and Permanency Month

Hundreds of children awaiting adoption got their day in court and their forever families during the month of November.

News Release - March 18, 2020

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, for review by the court.

E-Filing

California Supreme Court

Feature - April 6, 2020

California Chief Justice: "No need and no right will be overlooked"

Read remarks from Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye.

Chief Justice

Access

News Release - April 27, 2020

California Supreme Court Orders Bar Exam Delayed, Administered Online

The California 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.

Bar Exam

California Supreme Court

Access

News Release - April 29, 2020

California Chief Justice Extends Criminal Trial Deadlines

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, the deadline to hold criminal trials has been extended a total of 90 days.

News Release - June 8, 2020

Judicial Council, Chief Justice Consider Ending Some Emergency Measures as California and Courts Expand Reopening

The Judicial Council of California will consider ending three temporary emergency rules governing evictions, judicial foreclosures and an emergency bail schedule, as California begins a phased re-opening and courts restore services shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chief Justice

Access

Feature - August 6, 2020

Courts use Remote Technology for Community Outreach

Since the COVID-19 state of emergency issued in mid-March, courts around the state have been holding more court hearings remotely. Now courts are looking for ways to expand remote technology to support community engagement.

Feature - December 20, 2021

2021 Year in Review: Judicial Council of California

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to challenge the state’s ability to ensure access to justice for the citizens of California. But like the previous year, California’s Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and the Judicial Council supported the courts as they remained flexible and innovative to ensure the justice system was open and vital services remained accessible to the public.