Nine (9) new proposals to amend the California Rules of Court, and Judicial Council forms have been posted to the California Courts web site, at http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-invitationstocomment.htm

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

 

APPELLATE

 

W26-01

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Revise Civil Case Cover Sheet

 

CIVIL AND SMALL CLAIMS

 

W26-02

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Revisions to Enforcement of Judgment and Wage Garnishment Forms to Implement Assembly Bill 774

 

W26-03

Title: Civil Practice and Procedure: Name Change and Gender Change Rules and Forms

 

COLLABORATIVE JUSTICE

 

W26-04

Title: Collaborative Justice: Guidelines for Adult Collaborative Treatment Courts

 

CRIMINAL AND APPELLATE

 

W26-05

Title: Criminal Procedure: Rule and Form Revisions Related to the Racial Justice Act

 

CRIMINAL

 

W26-06

Title: Criminal Law: Advisements on the Felony Plea Form

 

FAMILY AND JUVENILE

 

W26-07

Title: Juvenile Law: Update to Racial Justice Act Forms

 

PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH

 

W26-08

Title: Mental Health Law: Implementation of CARE Act Legislation

 

PROVIDING ACCESS AND FAIRNESS

 

W26-09

Title: Access and Fairness: Gender Inclusivity of Juror Identification and Juror Questionnaires (Implementation of Assembly Bill 1899)

Dear Interested Persons: The State Bar is seeking input on proposed updates to the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) rules. These changes would implement new legislation that allows certified LRSs to partner with nonprofit organizations starting January 1, 2025. The proposal creates a framework for these partnerships and updates existing rules to reflect current practices. Key changes include clearer definitions, streamlined application and recertification procedures, updated notice and reporting requirements, added performance measurement standards, and modernized technology and communication provisions. The updates also allow more flexibility for multicounty operations, which may help expand services in underserved areas.  These revisions are intended to increase access to legal services, improve transparency, and strengthen consumer protection. The public comment period ends January 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. More information can be found here. Thank you for your engagement and feedback.

We are in need of judges for a collegiate mock trial tournament taking place on Nov. 22nd & 23rd at the University of California, Irvine.

You can sign up to judge by clicking HERE.

***MCLE Credit Hours: The State Bar of California has approved a measure to allow attorneys to get up to two (2) hours of participatory MCLE credit for serving as a volunteer judge at a mock trial competition. Each of our trials last up to three hours, so judging even one trial can both help our students AND help you earn two participatory credit hours. 

The trials: The trials are approximately three hours long and require no preparation. There will be two days of trials, both consisting of a morning round from ~9:00 to 12:00 PM and then an afternoon round from ~2:00 to 5:00 PM. Depending on your availability, you can judge as many or as few as you would like.

Presiders needed! For this November tournament, all trials will have a single judge. That means all participating judges will be asked to preside over the rounds -- interacting with students, making rulings on objections and moving the trial along, in addition to scoring the trial. 

If you'd like a refresher on judging, don't worry -- we'll provide a judge orientation session before each round (described below). Or, if you'd prefer NOT to preside, we're also recruiting judges for our winter tournament, which will have a second, non-presiding scoring judge in each round. If you'd prefer to do that event instead, you can sign up for the winter tournament through the same link above.

The case: This year’s case is a criminal matter about the death of a reality TV game show contestant, Rob Armstrong. His death occurred during the filming of the game show called The Saboteurs. Mr. Armstrong's fellow contestant, Charlie Martin, was later indicted for murder. Prosecutors allege the defendant killed Mr. Armstrong by tampering with scuba equipment and creating dangerous conditions for Armstrong during an underwater challenge. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. The evidence and witnesses available vary across the rounds, which makes each trial unique and interesting to watch.

Judge orientation: Before each round, we will hold a 30-minute judge orientation session. In that session, we will explain how to judge the trials, how to score the trial ballot, and other logistics. No other preparation is needed to judge (i.e., you don’t need to read any part of the case ahead of time).

Judge check-in will open 30 minutes before the orientation session, making morning check-in at 8:00 AM and afternoon check-in at 1:00 PM each day. During both days of the trials, we will be providing bagels, coffee and lunch.

Here's the link to sign up for our tournaments this year: https://forms.gle/HQ1kFvNiv7UufH5F7

TRAFFIC _SP25-04
 
Title: Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules: Revisions to 2026 Edition

Summary:

The Traffic Advisory Committee proposes revisions to the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules, 2026 Edition, effective January 1, 2026. The 2026 proposal includes (1) recommendations based on legislation, as required under Vehicle Code section 40310, Penal Code section 1269b and rule 4.102 of the California Rules of Court; (2) recommended changes and additions proposed by courts and justice system partners; and (3) miscellaneous technical changes.

Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

CRIMINAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS (CALCRIM)_CALCRIM-2025-02

Title: Criminal Jury Instructions: Additions, Revisions, and Revocations
Summary: Additions, revisions, and revocations to jury instructions reflecting recent developments in the law and user suggestions.
Deadline: Comments must be submitted by Friday, November 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Pacific Time)

Please see the attached Notice from the Clerk regarding changes to the local rules proposed to become effective December 1, 2025.
 

The notice is also available on the Court’s website under News Announcements.

2025-10-10 Notice - Redline LRs to be effective 12.1.2025.pdf

The State Bar of California Lawyer Assistance Program is pleased to announce Retool: Law Office Management Support Program.
 
Retool is a practical, supportive webinar series designed especially for solo and small firm attorneys in California and addresses important aspects of opening and running a law firm, emphasizing effective law office management and clear client communications. Each session features speakers from diverse practice backgrounds and includes practical tips, sample templates, and implementation-ready guidance. Sessions offer MCLE credit.
 

October 9, 2025 @ 12 noon PDT: Opening a Law Office
October 14, 2025 @ 12 noon PDT: Law Firm Administration
October 23, 2025 @12 noon PDT: Client Communications & Expectation Setting

Learn more and register here!
Session recordings will be made available to all registrants within 48 hours of each session. Registrants require a Zoom account to register for and attend program sessions. Due to Zoom license limitations, live sessions are limited to 1,000 attendees, but all registrants may view session recordings and materials.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those requiring modifications or accommodations to observe and participate in this webinar should contact LAP at lap@calbar.ca.gov. Please provide notification at least 72 hours prior to the webinar to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for reasonable accommodations.

The United States District Court, Central District of California, is currently accepting applications from qualified attorneys interested in serving on the Central District of California’s Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel. For more information, please see the attached Notice from the Clerk. The Notice is also available on the Court’s website under Notices from the Clerk.

2025-09-23 Notice - MSP Recruitment.pdf

Dear Members of the Legal Community,

Registration is open for the State Bar of California’s Legal Specialist Examination, which will be administered remotely online on October 30, 2025. 

Becoming a Certified Legal Specialist helps attorneys stand out in their field, build trust with clients, and enhance their professional reputation in a competitive legal market.  Specific examinations will be administered for the following specialty areas:   

•            Admiralty & Maritime Law

•            Appellate – Civil Law

•            Appellate – Criminal

•            Bankruptcy Law 

•            Criminal – Federal Law

•            Criminal – State Law

•            Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law

•            Family Law 

•            Franchise & Distribution Law

•            Immigration & Nationality Law

•            Legal Malpractice Law

•            Taxation Law 

•            Workers’ Compensation Law. 

To become a certified specialist, one must pass the legal specialist exam in their desired area and submit an initial certification application within 18 months of the exam date. To complete the certification application, one must provide information showing that they meet the task and experience requirements, have completed 45 hours of continuing education in the specialty area (36 hours every three years thereafter), and have received favorable evaluations from attorneys and judges. For more about the requirements for each specialty area, refer to the State Bar’s rules and specialty area standards.   

Now is a great time to apply because the timely filing deadline is September 1, 2025. Applicants can still apply after that date with a late fee. Apply by logging into the State Bar’s Applicant Portal. Click "Applications” and “View Application Forms,” and select the "Legal Specialist Examination Application. 

Learn more at the Becoming a Certified Legal Specialist and October 2025 Certified Legal Specialist Examination webpages. If you have questions, please contact the State Bar of California’s Legal Specialization unit at legalspec@calbar.ca.gov.