COVID News Center:

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

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News Release - March 26, 2020

Judicial Council to Hold Special Meeting Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Emergency meeting of court and branch leaders from around the state will focus on measures to ensure California courts can meet stringent health directives while also providing due process and access to justice.

Judicial Council

Meeting information

Judicial Council

Covid-19

News Release - March 23, 2020

Chief Justice Issues Statewide Order Suspending Jury Trials

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

Chief Justice

Covid-19

Feature - October 22, 2021

Chief Justice Speaks on Emergency Orders, Remote Services, Diversifying California Judiciary

On October 21, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) hosted a virtual Conversation with Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakakuye.

Chief Justice

Covid-19

Judiciary

article banner with photo of chief justice in round frame

News Release - March 23, 2022

Report Cites Ways to Help Increase the Diversity of Jurors

Strategies include providing court users with remote options at various stages of jury service

Ad Hoc Workgroup on Post-Pandemic Initiatives

Interim Report: Improving the Juror Experience

Jury Duty

remote access

Covid-19

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

News Release - September 20, 2021

Study shows remote proceedings increase efficiency, access

Remote proceedings have improved case clearance rates and cleared previous case backlogs in some areas

Chief Justice

Access

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.