The State Bar of California
  • Log in
  • News
  • Forms
  • Contact
Attorneys:
  • Compliance & Records
  • |
  • MCLE & CLE
  • |
  • Conduct & Discipline
  • |
  • Ethics
  • |
  • Legal Specialization
  • |
  • Volunteer
  • Public
    • Need Legal Help
      • Look Up a Lawyer
      • Certified Lawyer Referral Services Directory
        • Why Use a Certified Lawyer Referral Service
      • Free Legal Help
    • Complaints & Claims
      • How to File a Complaint
        • Before You File
        • Why File a Complaint
        • Attorney Complaint
        • After You File
        • Después de presentar una queja
        • Nonattorney Complaint
        • Discipline Referral
      • Unauthorized Practice of Law Complaint
        • After You File
        • Después de presentar una queja por práctica no autorizada
      • Fee Disputes
        • FAQ
      • Client Security Fund
        • What Happens After You Apply
        • Application Instructions and Checklist
      • Complaint Review Process
      • Lawyer Referral Service Complaints
        • Certified Lawyer Referral Service Complaints
        • Uncertified Lawyer Referral Service Complaints
      • Whistleblower Complaints
      • FAQ
    • Free Legal Information
      • Before Selecting an Attorney
        • Finding the Right Lawyer
        • What a Certified Lawyer Referral Service Can Do for You
        • Your Initial Consultation
      • Working with an Attorney
        • What to Expect from Your Attorney
        • How to Work with Your Lawyer
        • What to Expect Regarding Fees and Billing
        • How to Avoid Problems
      • Resolving Problems
        • Problem with a Lawyer
        • Lawyer Fee Dispute
          • Lawyer Fee Dispute FAQ
        • Client Security Fund
        • When a Lawyer Dies
      • Unauthorized Practice of Law
        • Avoiding Fraud by Immigration Consultants
        • Práctica no autorizada de la abogacía
        • Evite el fraude por parte de los consultores de inmigración
      • For Immigrants
        • Buscando ayuda con asuntos de inmigración
        • Immigration Legal Services Providers
        • Proveedores de servicios legales de inmigración
      • Legal Help After a Disaster
      • For Veterans & Service Members
      • Legal Services Fraud Alert for Homeowners
        • Alerta a Propietarios Referente al Fraude de Servicios Legales
      • Legal Services Fraud Alert for Renters
        • Alerta a Arrendatarios Referente al Fraude de Servicios Legales
      • Legal Guide Pamphlets
      • FAQ
    • Discipline
      • Attorney Discipline
      • Nonattorney Actions
      • Discipline Statistics
      • Look Up a Lawyer
    • Public Trust Liaison
      • Intermediario de Confianza Pública
    • En español
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
      • Protecting the Public
        • Regulation and Discipline Overview
        • Transparency & Accountability
        • Public Comment
          • Public Comment Guidelines
          • Public Comment Archives
            • 2024 Public Comment
            • 2023 Public Comment
            • 2022 Public Comment
            • 2021 Public Comment
            • 2020 Public Comment
            • 2019 Public Comment
            • 2018 Public Comment
            • 2017 Public Comment
              • 2017-12
            • 2016 Public Comment
            • 2015 Public Comment
            • 2014 Public Comment
            • 2013 Public Comment
            • 2012 Public Comment
            • 2011 Public Comment
            • 2010 Public Comment
        • Reports
        • Public Records
      • Promoting Justice in California
      • Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
        • DEI Leadership Seal Program
          • DEI Leadership Seal Recipients
          • DEI Leadership Seal Committed Participants
          • State Bar DEI Leadership Seal Progress
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Trustees
        • Roster
          • Brandon Stallings
          • José Cisneros
          • Raymond A. Buenaventura
          • Hailyn J. Chen
          • Sarah A. Good
          • Mary Huser
          • Melanie M. Shelby
          • Arnold Sowell Jr.
          • Mark W. Toney, PhD
          • Genaro Trejo
        • Meetings
        • Audit Committee
          • Roster
        • Executive Committee
          • Roster
        • Finance Committee
          • Roster
        • Regulation and Discipline Committee
          • Roster
        • Public Comment Guidelines
        • Remote Participation Tips
        • Supreme Court Appointments
        • Board Task Forces
      • Committees
        • Meetings
        • Committee Appointment Opportunities
          • Review Committee-Commission Judicial Nominees Evaluation
            • Roster
        • California Board of Legal Specialization
          • Privacy Law Group
        • Client Security Fund Commission
          • Roster
        • Committee of Bar Examiners
          • Committee of State Bar Accredited and Registered Schools
            • Roster
          • Law School Council
            • Roster
        • Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct
        • Council on Access and Fairness
          • Roster
        • Judicial Nominees Evaluation
          • Review Committee of the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation
          • Roster
          • FAQ
          • JNE Demographics Reports
        • Lawyer Assistance Program Oversight Committee
          • Roster
        • Legal Services Trust Fund Commission
          • Roster
      • Archived Committees
        • Ad Hoc Commission on the Discipline System
        • Blue Ribbon Commission
          • Resources
          • Roster
        • California Access to Justice Commission
          • Commission Roster
        • California Attorney Practice Analysis Working Group
        • California Paraprofessional Program Working Group
        • Closing the Justice Gap Working Group
        • Committee on Special Discipline Case Audit
        • Governance in the Public Interest Task Force
        • Limited License Working Group
        • Malpractice Insurance Working Group
        • Moral Character Working Group
        • Rules Commission 2017
        • Task Force on Access Through Innovation of Legal Services
      • Staff
      • State Bar Holidays
    • News
      • Fact Sheets
      • Reports
      • Multimedia
      • California Bar Journal Archive
    • Careers
      • Make a Difference
      • Develop and Grow
      • Benefits
      • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      • View All Job Listings
      • Salary
    • Business Opportunities
      • Previous Opportunities
  • Attorneys
    • Compliance & Records
      • About Your State Bar Profile
        • Fees & Payment
          • Agency Billing
          • Annual Fees FAQs
          • Voluntary Contributions
          • Fees and Charges
        • Status Changes
        • Address Change
        • Reporting Requirements
        • Certificates of Standing
      • Fingerprinting Rule Requirements
        • For In-State Attorneys
        • For Out-of-State Attorneys
        • For Out-of-Country Attorneys
        • FAQ
        • Limited Accommodations
        • Glossary
      • Lawyer Assistance Program
        • LAP Support Services for Attorneys
          • LAP Resources for Attorneys
        • LAP Support Services for Law Students and Applicants
          • LAP Resources for Students
        • Monitored LAP
        • LAP FAQ
      • Mandatory Fee Arbitration
        • Approved Programs
        • Forms & Resources
        • Arbitration Advisories
        • Training Course
      • Opening and Managing Law Office
        • Insurance Programs
        • Limited Liability Partnerships
          • Forms
          • Rules
        • Law Corporations Program
          • Forms
          • Rules
        • Revoking Law Corporation
        • Successor Lawyer Duties When a Lawyer Dies
      • For Judges
      • FAQ
    • MCLE & CLE
      • Requirements
        • Types of MCLE Credit
        • Proportional Requirement
        • MCLE Recordkeeping
        • Attorney Exemptions
        • Attorney Exemptions FAQ
        • Approved Jurisdictions
        • Education Approval
          • Evaluate Credit
          • MCLE Credit Request
        • New Admittees
        • Inactive or Not Eligible Status
        • Out-of-State Residents
        • Good Cause Modification
      • Compliance
        • Who Must Report Compliance
        • Compliance Groups
        • Audit FAQ
      • New Attorney Training Program
      • E-Learning Portal
      • MCLE Providers
        • Single Activity Providers
        • Multiple Activity Providers
        • Provider Responsibilities
        • MCLE Activity Approval
        • Provider Search
        • ADA
      • MCLE Self-Study
        • MCLE Self-Study FAQs
      • CLE
        • CLE Self-Study
      • Rules
        • Rules Specific MCLE Credits
      • FAQ
    • Conduct & Discipline
      • Lawyer Regulation
      • Self-Reporting FAQ
      • State Bar Court
      • Client Trust Accounting & IOLTA
        • Client Trust Accounting Handbook
        • Client Trust Accounting Resources
        • Client Trust Account Protection Program
        • Client Trust Accounts and Bank Stability Concerns
        • CTAPP FAQ
        • CTAPP Training
        • Client Trust Account and IOLTA Registration
        • IOLTA Guidelines for Attorneys
        • IOLTA FAQ
        • IOLTA-Eligible Banks
        • Interest Rates
      • Rules
        • Rules of the State Bar
          • Title 1 Global Provisions
          • Title 2 Rights and Responsibilities of Licensees
          • Title 3 Programs and Services
          • Title 4 Admissions and Educational Standards
          • Title 5 Discipline
          • Title 6 Governance
          • Title 7 JNE and Miscellaneous
          • Appendixes
          • New and Amended Rules
        • Rules of Professional Conduct
          • Current Rules
            • Chapter 1. Lawyer-Client Relationship
            • Chapter 2. Counselor
            • Chapter 3. Advocate
            • Chapter 4. Transactions with Persons Other than Clients
            • Chapter 5. Law Firms and Associations
            • Chapter 6. Public Service
            • Chapter 7. Information About Legal Services
            • Chapter 8. Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession
          • Previous Rules
        • Selected Legal Authority
          • Constitution Excerpts
          • The State Bar Act
          • California Rules of Court
          • Statutes
      • Ethics
        • Hotline
        • Rule 8.3 Required Reporting
        • Opinions
          • 2009-176 to Present
          • 1998-152 to 2008-175
          • 1992-126 to 1997-151
          • 1988-96 to 1991-125
          • 1984-76 to 1987-95
          • 1979-48 to 1983-75
          • 1971-24 to 1977-47
          • 1965-1 to 1970-23
        • Rules Spotlight Videos
        • Ethics Schools
          • Class Schedule
          • Ethics School FAQ
        • Ethics & Technology Resources
          • Ethics Opinions Related to Technology
          • Ethics Articles on Technology
          • Online Participatory MCLE Programs
          • Online Communication
          • Electronic Files
          • Law Firm Websites
          • Social Media
          • Internet/Email Scams
          • Miscellaneous
        • Senior Lawyers Resources
          • Rules
          • Opinions
          • Publications
            • Wellness Guide
          • Articles
          • MCLE
          • Links
          • Closing a Law Practice
          • Contact Us
          • Attorney Surrogacy
        • ADA Claims Information
        • Judicial Ethics
        • Publications
          • Ethics News
          • Ethics News Archive
          • Hotliner Articles
            • Archives
          • Pub 250
          • Compendium on Professional Responsibility Index
        • Attorney Civility and Professionalism
        • Committees
          • COPRAC
            • Education
              • Ethics Symposium
            • Opinion Requests
            • Rules
            • Roster
          • Rules Revision
            • Rules Commission 2014
              • Action Summaries
              • Meetings
              • Roster
    • Ethics
    • Legal Specialization
      • About Certified Specialization
      • Becoming a Certified Specialist
        • Exam Information
          • Exam Preparation Information
          • Laptop Computers
          • Testing Accommodations
          • Refund of Fees Policy
      • Current Certified Specialists
      • Legal Specialty Areas
      • Specialist Search
      • MCLE Requirements for Certified Specialists
      • Education Providers
      • Governance
        • Board of Legal Specialization
          • Roster
        • Privacy Law Group
      • FAQ
      • Rules & Standards
        • Advertising
    • Volunteer
      • Special Master
        • FAQ
        • Rules
        • List
  • Admissions
    • Requirements
      • Registration
      • Education
        • Pre-Legal Education
          • College Equivalency Education
        • Legal Education
          • Fixed Facility
          • Correspondence or Distance Learning
          • Law Office or Judge's Chamber
            • Applying to the LOS Program
            • Additional LOS Program Requirements
          • Foreign Education
          • Foreign Law Degree
      • Social Security Exemption
      • Attorney Applicants
      • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Examinations
      • Dates and Deadlines
      • California Bar Examination
        • Feb 2024 California Bar Exam
        • Testing Centers
        • Laptops for Bar Exam
        • Bar Exam Emails
          • Safelisting Tips for Email
        • Instructions for Essay Questions and Performance Test
        • Hotel Information
        • California Bar Examination Scope
        • Exam Results
          • Bar Exam Pass List
        • Past Exams
        • Grading
        • Scaling
        • Refund of Fees Policy
        • Virtual Oath Packet
        • Attorney's Oath
      • First-Year Law Students' Examination
        • October 2023 First-Year Exam
        • October 2023 First-Year Exam FAQs
        • Admittance Bulletin
        • Exam Results
        • First-Year Exam Grading and Scope
      • Exam Administration
        • Becoming a Grader
        • Becoming a Proctor
      • Exam Statistics
      • Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
      • Testing Accommodations
        • Requesting Testing Accommodations
        • Types of Accommodations and Approvals
        • Appealing Testing Accommodation Decisions
        • Exam Environment and Allowable Items
      • Lawyer Assistance Program Support Services for Law Students and Applicants
    • Moral Character
      • Moral Character Statement
      • Governing Law
      • Submitting an Application
      • Factors and Conduct
      • Guidelines
    • Special Admissions
      • Multijurisdictional Practice (MJP) Program
        • MJP Program Requirements and Process
        • MJP Program Types
      • Pro Hac Vice
      • Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel (OSAAC)
      • Foreign Legal Consultants (FLC)
        • FAQ
        • Foreign Legal Consultants List
      • Practical Training of Law Students
      • Provisionally Licensed Lawyers
        • Search
    • Law School Regulation
      • Law Schools
      • Committee of Bar Examiners Meetings
        • Minutes
        • Minutes Archive
        • Roster
  • Access to Justice
    • Initiatives
      • California Justice Gap Study
        • Justice Gap Study Survey Data
        • California Law Student Survey Data
      • Publications
      • Leadership Banks
    • Pro Bono
      • Pro Bono Directory
        • Central Coast Area
        • Central Valley Area
        • Los Angeles Area
        • Sacramento and Northern California
        • San Diego and Imperial Valley
        • San Francisco Area
        • Statewide
      • Pro Bono Practice Program
      • Volunteer After a Disaster
      • Volunteer Opportunities to Assist Veterans and Service Members
      • FAQ
    • Grants
      • Legal Aid Funding
      • Justice Gap Fund
      • 2024 Grant Recipients
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Lawyer Referral Services
    • Financial Institutions
      • IOLTA-Eligible Financial Institutions
  • Rules of the State Bar
    • Title 1 Global Provisions
    • Title 2 Rights and Responsibilities of Licensees
    • Title 3 Programs and Services
    • Title 4 Admissions and Educational Standards
    • Title 5 Discipline
    • Title 6 Governance
    • Title 7 JNE and Miscellaneous
    • Appendixes
    • New and Amended Rules
  • Rules of Professional Conduct
    • Current Rules
    • Previous Rules
  • Selected Legal Authority
    • Constitution Excerpts
    • The State Bar Act
    • California Rules of Court
    • Statutes
Seal of The State Bar of California The State Bar of California

California Rules of Court

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Share with Email

NOTE: The Supreme Court amended Title 9 of the California Rules of Court to add and renumber the Rules on Law Practice, Attorneys and Judges and clarify the court’s inherent power and authority. The amended rules become effective Jan. 1, 2018. The complete set of new rules is available on the California Courts website at http://www.courts.ca.gov/rules.htm

Select California Rules of Court

Title 3 — Civil Rules

Division 1 — General Provisions

Chapter 3. Attorneys
Rule Number Name
Rule 3.35
(former Rule 1620)
Definition of limited scope representation; application of rules
Rule 3.36 Notice of limited scope representation and application to be relieved as attorney
Rule 3.37
(former Rule 1620.1)
Nondisclosure of attorney assistance in preparation of court documents

Division 7 — Civil Case Management

Chapter 6. Management of Class Actions
Rule Number Name
Rule 3.769
(former Rule 1859)
Settlement of class actions

Division 8 — Alternative Dispute Resolution

Chapter 3. General Rules Relating to Mediation of Civil Cases
Article 2. Rules of Conduct for Mediators in Court-Connected Mediation Programs for Civil Cases
Rule Number Name
Rule 3.850
(former Rule 1620)
Purpose and Function
Rule 3.851
(former Rule 1620.1)
Application
Rule 3.852
(former Rule 1620.2)
Definitions
Rule 3.853
(former Rule 1620.3)
Voluntary Participation and Self-Determination
Rule 3.854
(former Rule 1620.4)
Confidentiality
Rule 3.855
(former Rule 1620.5)
Impartiality, Conflicts of Interest, Disclosure, and Withdrawal
Rule 3.856
(former Rule 1620.6)
Competence
Rule 3.857
(former Rule 1620.7)
Quality of Mediation Process
Rule 3.858
(former Rule 1620.8)
Marketing
Rule 3.859
(former Rule 1620.9)
Compensation and Gifts
Rule 3.860
(former Rule 1621)
Attendance Sheet and Agreement to Disclose
Article 3. Requirements for Addressing Complaints About Court-Program Mediators
Rule Number Name
Rule 3.865 Application and Purpose
Rule 3.866 Definitions
Rule 3.867
(former Rules 3.866
and 1622.1)
Complaint Coordinator
Rule 3.868
(former Rules 3.865
and 1622)
Complaint Procedure Required
Rule 3.869 General Requirements for Complaint Procedures and Complaint Proceedings
Rule 3.870 Permissible Court Actions on Complaints
Rule 3.871
(former Rules 3.867
and 1622.2)
Confidentiality of Complaint Proceedings, Information and Records
Rule 3.872
(former Rules 3.868
and 1622.3)
Disqualification from Subsequently Serving as an Adjudicator

Division 11 — Law and Motion

Chapter 2. Format of Motion Papers
Rule Number Name
Rule 3.1115
(former Rule 315)
Declarations
Chapter 6. Particular Motions
Article 6. Miscellaneous Motions
Rule Number Name
Rule 3.1362
(former Rule 376)
Motion to Be Relieved as Counsel

TITLE 8 — Appellate Rules

Division 1 — Rules Relating to the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal

Chapter 2. Civil Appeals
Article 4. Hearing and Decision in the Court of Appeal
Rule Number Name
Rule 8.276
(former Rule 27)
Sanctions

Division 5 — Publication of Appellate Opinions

Rule Number Name
Rule 8.1115
(former Rule 977)
Citation of Opinions

TITLE 9 — Rules on Law Practices, Attorneys, and Judges

Division 1 — General Provisions

Rule Number Name
Rule 9.0 Title and source

Division 2 — Attorney Admission and Disciplinary Proceedings and Review of State Bar Proceedings

Chapter 1. General Provisions
Rule Number Name
Rule 9.1
(former Rule 950)
Definitions
Rule 9.2 Interim Special Regulatory Assessment for Attorney Discipline
Chapter 2. Attorney Admissions
Rule Number Name
Rule 9.3 Inherent power of Supreme Court
Rule 9.4 Nomination and appointment of members to the Committee of Bar Examiners
Rule 9.5 Supreme Court approval of admissions rules
Rule 9.6 Supreme Court approval of bar examination
Rule 9.7 Oath required when admitted to practice law
Rule 9.8
(former Rule 950.5)
Roll of attorneys admitted to practice
Rule 9.9 Online reporting by attorneys
Chapter 3. Attorney Disciplinary Proceedings
Rule Number Name
Rule 9.10
(former Rule 951)
Authority of the State Bar Court
Rule 9.11
(former Rule 961)
State Bar Court Judges
Rule 9.12
(former Rule 951.5)
Standard of Review for State Bar Court Review Department
Rule 9.13
(former Rule 952)
Review of State Bar Court Decisions
Rule 9.14
(former Rule 952.5)
Petitions for Review by the Chief Trial Counsel
Rule 9.15
(former Rule 952.6)
Petitions for Review by the Committee of Bar Examiners; Grounds for Review; Confidentiality
Rule 9.16
(former Rule 954)
Grounds for Review of State Bar Court Decisions in the Supreme Court
Rule 9.17
(former Rule 953.5)
Remand with Instructions
Rule 9.18
(former Rule 953)
Effective Date of Disciplinary Orders and Decisions
Rule 9.19
(former Rule 956)
Conditions Attached to Reprovals
Rule 9.20
(former Rule 955)
Duties of Disbarred, Resigned, or Suspended Attorneys
Rule 9.21
(former Rule 960)
Resignations of Members of the State Bar With Disciplinary Charges Pending
Rule 9.22
(former Rule 962)
Suspension of Members of the State Bar for Failure to Comply with Judgment or Order for Child or Family Support
Rule 9.23 Enforcement as Money Judgment Disciplinary Orders Directing the Payment of Costs and Disciplinary Orders Requiring Reimbursement of the Client Security Fund
Chapter 4. Legal Education
Rule Number Name
Rule 9.30
(former Rule 957)
Law School Study in Schools Other Than Those Accredited by the Examining Committee
Rule 9.31
(former Rule 958)
Minimum Continuing Legal Education

Division 3 — Legal Specialists

Rule Number Name
Rule 9.35
(former Rule 983.5)
Certified Legal Specialists

Division 4 — Appearances and Practice by Individuals Who Are Not Members of the State Bar of California

Rule Number Name
Rule 9.40
(former Rule 983)
Counsel Pro Hac Vice
Rule 9.41
(former Rule 983.1)
Appearances by Military Counsel
Rule 9.42
(former Rule 983.2)
Certified Law Students
Rule 9.43
(former Rule 983.4)
Out-of-State Attorney Arbitration Counsel
Rule 9.44
(former Rule 988)
Registered Foreign Legal Consultant
Rule 9.45
(former Rule 964)
Registered Legal Services Attorneys
Rule 9.46
(former Rule 965)
Registered In-House Counsel
Rule 9.47
(former Rule 966)
Attorneys Practicing Law Temporarily in California as Part of Litigation
Rule 9.48
(former Rule 967)
Nonlitigating Attorneys Temporarily in California to Provide Legal Services
Former Rule 963 Repealed - Interim Special Regulatory Fee for Attorney Discipline

Division 6 — Judicial Ethics Opinions

Rule Number Name
Rule 9.80 Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions
Rule 9.8.5 State Bar Client Trust Account Protection Program
Bar Seal
Protecting the public & enhancing the administration of justice.
  • Public
  • About Us
  • Attorneys
  • Admissions
  • Access to Justice
  • Forms
  • Careers
  • Retirees
  • Staff Log in
  • San Francisco (Main Office)
    180 Howard St.
    San Francisco, CA 94105
    415-538-2000
  • Los Angeles
    845 S. Figueroa St.
    Los Angeles, CA 90017
    213-765-1000
Copyright © 2023 The State Bar of California
  • FAQ
  • User Policies
  • Contact
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn