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.

Foster Care

Dependency

Santa Clara

San Diego

"We feel your joy," California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye told the family.

News Release - March 2, 2018

Council Approves Framework for IT Disaster Recovery Planning

The Judicial Council at its March 2 business meeting approved a framework to help courts and other judicial branch entities with disaster recovery planning efforts, which are critical in enabling the recovery of data and services in the event of a disaster.

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 - November 30, 2018

Council Adopts New Rules on Appointed Counsel in Death Penalty Review Cases

The Judicial Council at its November 29–30 meeting approved changes to rules of court that govern appointed counsel in death penalty appeals and habeas corpus proceedings.

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

News Release - August 25, 2016

Judicial Council Approves Process for Awarding $25 Million for Court Innovations

At its meeting today, the Judicial Council adopted a process to award $25 million in grant funding to promote innovative and efficient programs in the courts.

Aug 25 Council Meeting Webpage

News Release - November 19, 2021

Council Receives Strategies for Helping Court Users at Risk of Becoming Homeless

Also approved revision to standard promoting an environment free of bias in court proceedings and declared November to be Court Adoption and Permanency Month

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Judicial Council Meeting

Chief Justice

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.