California Rules of Court

Last updated: May 2026

The California Rules of Court (CRC) are the procedural rules adopted by the Judicial Council of California to govern practice in California state courts. They cover everything from how to format a brief to how to schedule a case management conference, and they apply on top of the Code of Civil Procedure.

For business litigators in California, knowing the CRC well is the difference between winning a procedural motion and losing one. A missed format requirement, a missed deadline, or the wrong filing channel can sink an otherwise strong case.

Read the Official California Rules of Court

California Rules of Court — Judicial Council of California

The Judicial Council publishes the full CRC for free. Rules are organized in Titles:

Title 1 — Rules Applicable to All Courts (general practice rules)
Title 2 — Rules Applicable to the Trial Courts (most civil litigation)
Title 3 — Civil Rules (case management, complex litigation, motions, discovery)
Title 4 — Criminal Rules
Title 5 — Family and Juvenile Rules
Title 8 — Appellate Rules (briefs, oral argument, opinions)

CRC Provisions Most Relevant to California Business Litigation

Rule 3.110 — Service of complaint within 60 days of filing
Rule 3.400 et seq. — Complex case management (designation, deadlines, conferences)
Rule 3.724 — Case management conference duties (meet and confer, joint statement)
Rule 3.1300 — General motion procedures and timing
Rule 3.1322 — Demurrers, motions to strike, and motions to quash
Rule 3.1345 — Discovery motions (separate statement requirement)
Rule 3.1350 — Motions for summary judgment and summary adjudication
Rule 8.104 / 8.108 — Time to appeal a civil judgment

Need Help with a California Civil Case?

The CRC has hundreds of rules, and Local Rules of each county add another layer on top. If you are facing a California business dispute and want experienced counsel who lives inside these rules every day, our team at Kolmogorov Law, P.C. can help.

Call (909) 235-6116 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney–client relationship. The California Rules of Court are amended periodically; always refer to the official Judicial Council version for the current text.