Application of the Case Management Rules; Local-Rule Exemptions — Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.720

High confidence· verified September 28, 2026Case ManagementCal. Rules of Court, rule 3.720

Summary

The case management rules govern all applicable civil cases; a court may by local rule exempt specified types or categories of general civil cases if it has alternative case-processing and trial-setting procedures, which must be included in its local rules; wherever a court sets an initial case management conference, the rules apply.

Applies to

California > Superior courts (general civil cases)

Requirement

(a) General application The rules in this chapter prescribe the procedures for the management of all applicable court cases. These rules may be referred to as "the case management rules." (b) Suspension of rules A court by local rule may exempt specified types or categories of general civil cases from the case management rules in this chapter, provided that the court has in place alternative procedures for case processing and trial setting for such actions, including, without limitation, compliance with Code of Civil Procedure sections 1141.10 et seq. and 1775 et seq. The court must include the alternative procedures in its local rules. (c) Rules when case management conference set In any case in which a court sets an initial case management conference, the rules in this chapter apply.